Whether you’re focusing on wholesome, healthy meals because of an illness or just because you want to feed your family well, making a few nourishing meals that can be stashed in the freezer is a great way to ensure your busy life won’t get in the way of eating well. But before you stick that casserole in the freezer, keep the following tips in mind.

Hot food should not go straight into the freezer, and any food frozen in glass containers shouldn’t go straight into the oven, either. Labeling your dishes with the type of food and the prep date will help reduce waste, and freezing individual portions can also come in handy on evenings when just one person needs a quick bite. Keep in mind that only cooked foods should be frozen, and leaving space at the top of jars or containers will give those foods room to expand as they freeze. If you’re looking for more freezer-friendly meal prep tips, check out the following graphic!