Cooking Anybody Have Any Make Ahead & Freeze Recipes??

[aladdinsgirl]

I am 35 weeks pregnant, thinking about cooking some meals and freezing them for when the baby is born. Does anyone have any make ahead and freeze recipes they would like to share? I've never cooked ahead of time and then frozen any meals before, so step by step instructions on how to freeze and then reheat would be appreciated!!

Thanks in Advance!!

Krista

 

[CrazedDisFan]

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/chicken_spaghet/

I made this and froze some of it for a later dinner. I wasn't so sure about freezing it, but it worked out GREAT! We had it for dinner tonight.

I made the recipe and just put it in 9 inch disposable aluminum pie plates. I covered it well with foil and froze it.

I took it straight out of the freezer, uncovered it, put the dish on a cookie sheet and baked at 325 for 1.5 hours until the cheese was hot, bubbly and starting to brown. We served it with garlic bread. I think it tasted better this way than freshly made.

One recipe should be enough to fill 2, 9 inch pie plates and an 8 inch square dish.

 

[debsays]

These are things that I always do.

Prepare a meatloaf wrap it and freeze it.

Make a batch of meatballs in a crockpot. When they're done I let them cool. Then I take three meatballs and put them in a zip lock bag along with some sauce. Freeze them. You can take them out for a sub or to have with ziti, spaghettie, etc.

I buy a large package of hamburg. (What I usually do is if their's a roast on sale I have it ground for hamburg) Okay, so what I do is divide it up. I scramble some so I can use for a meatpie, american chop suey, tacos, etc. I fry it up and also bag that as well or put it into a plastic container. I usually divide it up so I have enough for a meal in each container.

I also will take a large/family size package of bonless chicken breast. Marinade for a day or so then cook it on the grill. When it's done I let it cool and wrap each piece individually. That way you can put in on a salad, make fajitas,etc.

What I always do when I make and freeze food is I always label each bag, etc. along with the date I made it.

Hope this helps.

 

[debsays]

Just thought of something else. You can make pull apart pork or pull apart chicken in the crockpot. I usually make it with BBQ sauce and a bit of worcestershire sauce. Put it in the crockpot seasoned, put BBQ sauce and worchestershire sauce over it until it's covered. When done it should pull apart easily. Then you can divi it up and put in containers and freeze. Can serve with a sub roll or deli roll of your choice. Hint....if I use a roast pork I cut it in pieces then put into the crockpot. Chicken breast I usually leave as is.

 

[Jen117]

Hey Hey Krista...

When I was PG, I made and froze lots of things. I have a Food Saver that shrink wraps rotfl2: ) my food.

Beef Stew (you can freeze in a plastic type container, just make sure that there is as little air space as possible). Defrost in fridge and heat in a pot or microwave. I did notice that because it was frozen it sometimes would get a little runny, so add a little thickner (flour/water) when heating up.

Lasagne (I make a huge batch, eat some and freeze the rest)

Stroganoff (freeze the creamy meat only, and make noodles when you are ready to eat)

Shredded beef (Put a roast in the crockpot with a can of cream of mushroom soup. Add 2 cans if you like it creamier and also a little water if necessary. Cook all day, around 8-9 hours and shred.)

I also have a great french toast stick recipe. You freeze them and pull out as many as you want for breakfast. Let me know if you want it. PM me with any questions or to rack my brain of any other recipes I have made and froze.

 

[MazdaUK]

Anything "wet" -casseroles, spaghetti sauces etc. - freezes well. I use platcis tubs (old ice-cream tubs will do) tupperware, pyrex etc. and bung it in the freezer with a label on. Or things like shepherds pie, fish pie etc. which are timeconsuming to make i always make at least double and freeze one. Defrost overnmight (or during the day) and cook as normal or microwave.

Fishcakes or home-made burgers need to be separated with film, but can be cooked from frozen (I layer them in a big box with film and take out what I need) - a Geroge Foreman works great! In fact, if you haven't got one get one for toasted sandwiches as they are great when you need something quick

 

[Disney Ron]

Eggplant parm and stuffed shells also freeze well.

Mrs. Disney Ron