Sponsored by the Commissary

Deployment season is here and whether you’re the one heading out or holding down the fort at home, having a well-stocked freezer can be a game-changer. A freezer full of homemade meals means less stress, more time for what matters, and the comfort of home-cooked food even on the busiest days.

This guide will walk you through prepping your freezer with breakfast sandwiches, comfort food dinners, and even dessert—all made with ingredients from your local Commissary.

Why Freezer Prep Matters

Before a deployment, life gets chaotic. Between briefings, packing, family time, and endless to-do lists, cooking often falls to the bottom of the priority list. Having ready-to-heat meals means:

• Less decision fatigue when you’re exhausted
• Healthier eating instead of fast food runs
• Budget-friendly meals that stretch your dollars
• Comfort during tough days with favorite homemade recipes

Essential Freezer Storage Tips

Invest in Quality Storage Solutions

Souper Cubes: These silicone trays are perfect for freezing individual portions of sauces, gravies, mashed potatoes, or even scrambled eggs. Once frozen, pop them out and store in freezer bags. Or you can cook the food right in the tray and then use the same tray for left overs! It’s perfect for reducing dishes.

Aluminum Foil Trays: Disposable aluminum trays with lids are ideal for casseroles, meatloaf, and lasagna. They stack easily and go straight from freezer to oven.

Freezer-Safe Containers: Glass or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids work great for soups, stews, and individual portions.

Vacuum Sealer: If you have one, use it! Vacuum-sealed foods last longer and prevent freezer burn.

Heavy-Duty Freezer Bags: Always use freezer-quality bags, not regular storage bags. Remove as much air as possible before sealing.

Freezer Organization Hacks

• Label everything with contents and date using a permanent marker
• Freeze items flat in bags for easy stacking
• Use a “first in, first out” system to rotate meals
• Create zones in your freezer: breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts
• Keep an inventory list on your freezer door
• Freeze in single or family portions depending on your needs

Best Practices for Freezing

• Cool completely before freezing to prevent ice crystals
• Wrap twice: First in plastic wrap, then in foil or a freezer bag
• Leave headspace in containers for liquids that expand when frozen
• Flash freeze items like cookies or meatballs on a baking sheet before bagging
• Use within 3 months for best quality

Complete Grocery List

Shop these items at your local Commissary for the best value

Breakfast Sandwich Ingredients

• 1 package English muffins (12 count)
• 2 lbs breakfast sausage
• 1 dozen eggs
• 12 slices American or cheddar cheese
• Butter

Meatloaf Ingredients

• 2 lbs ground beef (80/20)
• 1 lb ground pork
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 eggs
• 1 onion
• 1 green bell pepper
• 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
• 1 bottle ketchup
• Worcestershire sauce
• Garlic powder
• Salt and pepper
• Brown sugar

DoubleTree Cookie Ingredients

• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ cups rolled oats
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 2 sticks (1 cup) butter, softened
• ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1½ tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp lemon juice
• 2 large eggs
• 2⅔ cups chocolate chips
• 1½ cups chopped walnuts (optional)

Storage Supplies

• Heavy-duty freezer bags (gallon and quart sizes)
• Aluminum foil
• Plastic wrap
• Parchment paper
• Permanent marker
• Freezer labels or masking tape
• Aluminum foil trays with lids (8×8 or 9×13)

Recipe 1: Make-Ahead Breakfast Sandwiches

Yield: 12 sandwiches

Ingredients

• 12 English muffins
• 2 lbs breakfast sausage
• 12 eggs
• 12 slices cheese
• 2 tbsp butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare the sausage: Form breakfast sausage into 12 flat patties slightly larger than your English muffins (they’ll shrink). Cook in a large skillet over medium heat until fully cooked, about 4-5 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels and set aside.
2. Scramble the eggs: Whisk eggs with a pinch of salt and pepper. Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Pour in eggs and gently scramble until just set but still slightly moist. Divide into 12 portions.
3. Toast the muffins: Lightly toast English muffins (this prevents sogginess when reheating).
4. Assemble: On the bottom half of each muffin, layer: sausage patty, scrambled eggs, cheese slice, and top muffin half.
5. Wrap individually: Wrap each sandwich tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Label with date.
6. Freeze: Lay flat in freezer until solid, then stack to save space.

Reheating Instructions

• Microwave: Remove plastic wrap, wrap in paper towel, and microwave for 1-2 minutes, flipping halfway.
• Oven: Wrap in foil and bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes.

Tip: Try strawberry or raspberry jam on one of the english muffins! Sounds weird! Tastes great!

Recipe 2: Classic Freezer Meatloaf

Yield: 2 meatloaves (serves 8-10)

Ingredients

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 lb ground pork
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 1 green bell pepper, finely diced
• 6 oz tomato paste
• ¼ cup milk
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

For the glaze:

• ½ cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

1. Prep your pans: Line two aluminum foil trays (8×8 or loaf pans) with parchment paper for easy removal, or spray with cooking spray.
2. Sauté vegetables: In a small skillet, sauté onion and bell pepper until softened, about 5 minutes. Let cool slightly.
3. Mix the meatloaf: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, eggs, cooked vegetables, tomato paste, milk, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined—don’t overmix or the meatloaf will be tough.
4. Form loaves: Divide mixture between two prepared pans, shaping into loaves. Don’t pack too tightly.
5. Make the glaze: Whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Spread half over each meatloaf.
6. Bake one, freeze one:
   • To bake now: Bake at 350°F for 50-60 minutes until internal temperature reaches 160°F. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.
   • To freeze: Cover tightly with plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Label with date and cooking instructions.

Cooking from Frozen

Remove plastic wrap, keep foil on loosely, and bake at 350°F for 90 minutes. Remove foil and bake 15 more minutes until internal temp reaches 160°F.

Serving Suggestions: Pair with mashed potatoes (freeze in Souper Cubes!), green beans, or mac and cheese for ultimate comfort food.

Recipe 3: DoubleTree-Inspired Chocolate Chip Cookies

Yield: About 24 large cookies

These famous cookies are the perfect morale booster during deployment. Bake them fresh or freeze the dough for warm cookies anytime.

Ingredients

• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ cups rolled oats (pulse in food processor until fine)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• ¾ cup packed brown sugar
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1½ tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp lemon juice
• 2 large eggs
• 2⅔ cups chocolate chips
• 1½ cups chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions

1. Process the oats: Pulse rolled oats in a food processor or blender until they become a fine powder. This is the secret to the DoubleTree texture!
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, processed oats, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
3. Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat butter and both sugars until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
4. Add wet ingredients: Beat in vanilla, lemon juice, and eggs until well combined.
5. Combine: Gradually mix in dry ingredients until just incorporated. Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts (if using).
6. Portion the dough: Use a large cookie scoop (about 3 tablespoons) to form dough balls.
7. Choose your method: Option 1 – Bake Now:
   • Place dough balls on parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing 3 inches apart
   • Bake at 300°F for 20-23 minutes until edges are golden but centers still look slightly underdone
   • Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack
   Option 2 – Freeze for Later:
   • Place dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet
   • Freeze until solid (about 2 hours)
   • Transfer to freezer bags, label with date and baking instructions
   • Bake from frozen at 300°F for 23-26 minutes

Storage: Baked cookies can also be frozen! Layer between parchment paper in an airtight container. Thaw at room temperature or warm in the oven.

Pro Tip: The lemon juice is essential—it brightens the flavors and creates that signature DoubleTree taste!

Additional Freezer-Friendly Ideas

While you’re in meal prep mode, consider adding these to your freezer:

• Breakfast burritos: Similar method to the sandwiches
• Chili or soup: Freeze in Souper Cubes for single servings
• Marinated chicken: Prep in freezer bags; the meat marinates as it thaws
• Pancakes or waffles: Make a big batch and freeze with parchment paper between
• Pasta sauce: Freeze in portions for quick spaghetti nights
• Shredded rotisserie chicken: Great for quick tacos or salads

The Commissary saves military families an average of 25% or more compared to civilian grocery stores. During deployment prep, those savings add up fast. With quality ingredients at great prices, you can stock your freezer without breaking the budget.

Deployment is never easy, but walking into a kitchen with a freezer full of homemade meals can make the hard days a little softer. These recipes aren’t just food—they’re comfort, preparation, and one less thing to worry about when everything else feels uncertain.

Here’s to full freezers, warm meals, and counting down the days until homecoming.

What are your favorite freezer meals? Share your tips in the comments below!

---

This post is sponsored by the Commissary. Thank you for supporting the brands and partners that support military families.