Freezer meals any new ideas, or something that is your favorite. Updated post 43

[SandyinMonterey]

Here's the Slow Cooker Steak Fajitas Recipe:
1 beef flank steak (about 1 pound)
1 medium onion, cut into strips
1/2 cup medium salsa, plus additional for garnish (I use mild)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 small green bell pepper, cut into strips
1 small red bell pepper, cut into strips
Flour tortillas, warmed
1. Cut flank steak lengthwise in half, then crosswise into thin strips;place meat in crock-pot. Combine onion, 1/2 cup salsa, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, chili powder, cumin and salt in crock pot. Cover;cook on LOW 5 to 6 hours.
2. Add bell pepper, Cover, cook on LOW 1 hour.
3. Serve with flour tortillas and additional salsa.

 

[LovesTimone]

Here's the Slow Cooker Steak Fajitas Recipe:
1 beef flank steak (about 1 pound)
1 medium onion, cut into strips
1/2 cup medium salsa, plus additional for garnish (I use mild)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 small green bell pepper, cut into strips
1 small red bell pepper, cut into strips
Flour tortillas, warmed
1. Cut flank steak lengthwise in half, then crosswise into thin strips;place meat in crock-pot. Combine onion, 1/2 cup salsa, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, chili powder, cumin and salt in crock pot. Cover;cook on LOW 5 to 6 hours.
2. Add bell pepper, Cover, cook on LOW 1 hour.
3. Serve with flour tortillas and additional salsa.

This looks yummy, Will be using this, Thanks for all your help..

 

[pigletto]

I just made a bunch of freezer meals for my brother and sister in law, who just had their first baby . I did the traditional chili, meatballs and sauce, a lentil soup etc. Lasagna Roll Ups were a big hit..
http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes...roll-ups/0b0f9314-3d86-4ff8-b440-20d48a133a1e.

Another thing they requested more of were the zucchini muffins and banana bread muffins that I made. These are great to freeze to pop out and let thaw or warm in the microwave for snacks or quick breakfasts.

Zucchini Muffins-
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/kathies-zucchini-muffins

Banana Bread Muffins-
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/sarahs-banana-bread-muffins/

 

[verleniahall]

We are goign to b eusing our microwavable pressure cooker from tupperware this year - it will make enough for dinner + lunch the next day for both of us - and dinner in 20 minutes

 

[NJlauren]

I started doing this when my DD was elementary school, we started ordering in and drive thru's, with all the school stuff, and extra after school activities, church functions. I just could not keep up, a friend suggest this and it has worked really well for us. One thing I did splurge on was a good crock pot, not expensive, just one that had the settings that I needed, I also have 2 different sizes for different portion size's.

Exactly so much to do and dinner always seems to be the last thing on my mind, and DD is only 13 months! I have a good crockpot just need some recipes and stuff to try out. Going to try it out!

 

[tink9702]

Here are some of our go-to crockpot meals:

Chicken Adobo: http://www.stacymakescents.com/crockpot-chicken-adobo
Chicken Fajitas: http://www.cookingclassy.com/2015/01/slow-cooker-chicken-fajitas/
Whole Chicken: https://saucymommy.wordpress.com/2012/10/16/slow-cooker-whole-roast-chicken/

 

[Monykalyn]

http://www.food.com/recipe/chipotles-barbacoa-copycat-recipe-472445
Another of my family's favorites- I actually use a venison roast (gotta use up that deer meat from the hunters) and with the slow cooking/acid/spices combo no one even noticed. My kids LOVE Chipotle so this is always a hit. I serve it with lots of toppings (easy stuff-shredded cheese, chopped tomatoes, sour cream, salsa) etc and give the kids a divided plate to put all the toppings on so they can build their own burrito. I also do The Pioneer Woman's recipe for refried black beans-that recipe makes such a huge batch that I make the beans when I have time and freeze half the recipe for these easier meals.

 

[LovesTimone]

OP here again..

All of the links and suggestions are wonderful. Thanks so much.

I am still trying to figure out some casserole meals, really the only one on know that is tried and true is the lasagna roll up dish and its super yummy. I have been thinking about doing a Sheppard's pie, but with out the mashed potatoes on the top, and then when I need it, I could use some instant potatoes to top with at the last minute.... Other suggestions?

I was putting some thought into some side dishes - such as scalloped or cheesy potatoes with or with out sausage add in. Green bean casserole without the topping. But that's really all I could come up with - Thoughts?

ON to the desserts - I have done pound cake and it freezes and thaws well. I have tried cookies and brownies before and all I can say is yuck... did not work out at all. I was thinking about carrot cake in a loaf pan. I really would like to do some cookies anyone have a recipe that will hold up?

Banana bread, muffins in different varieties, granola bars - will also be on the list again.

 

[LovesTimone]

Exactly so much to do and dinner always seems to be the last thing on my mind, and DD is only 13 months! I have a good crockpot just need some recipes and stuff to try out. Going to try it out!

When I started, I did a lot of my cooking on the weekend, with working and raising a family Sunday was our family day so I would have my DD help me in the kitchen. So if I made lasagna I would make 2 pans, one for dinner and one for the freezer sorta thing. Sometimes I would make a ham for meals, and sandwiches later on in the week, along with pasta or potato salad, which worked out really well, when everyone was coming and going at different times. Really once you get started you will be really surprised how easy it is to grab out of the freezer, thaw, into the crock pot and when you walk in the door dinner is done.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I make chocolate chip cookies and shortbread cookies that freeze well, I actually find most cookies do. You can also freeze the cookie dough - shape it into a cylinder first - then slice it and bake it when you are ready to eat.

 

[NJlauren]

When I started, I did a lot of my cooking on the weekend, with working and raising a family Sunday was our family day so I would have my DD help me in the kitchen. So if I made lasagna I would make 2 pans, one for dinner and one for the freezer sorta thing. Sometimes I would make a ham for meals, and sandwiches later on in the week, along with pasta or potato salad, which worked out really well, when everyone was coming and going at different times. Really once you get started you will be really surprised how easy it is to grab out of the freezer, thaw, into the crock pot and when you walk in the door dinner is done.

Thank you! I can't wait to give it a try!

 

[Debbie]

I make chocolate chip cookies and shortbread cookies that freeze well, I actually find most cookies do. You can also freeze the cookie dough - shape it into a cylinder first - then slice it and bake it when you are ready to eat.

And the best part of those frozen cookie dough logs? They taste delicious out of the freezer. My mom always had slice and bake cookie dough in the freezer. One year she went to Florida, came home, and my sister had eaten the whole thing and left just the foil wrappers in the freezer. I know, I know....raw cookie dough is dangerous. But I've been eating it for 6 decades.

 

[BLAZEY]

A family favourite is Chicken broccoli pasta casserole. I broil 2 chicken breasts and cut into 1/2 inch cubes, 3 broccoli crowns, and 2 cups pasta (before cooking) then I make a roux to make the four cheese sauce. (equal parts butter and flour, then add milk to thin and cheese to taste) This is enough to feed my family of 3 twice, so I make one to eat and one to freeze. I also made this for my sister and SIL when they had their babies. My sister and I have each done a big batch of freezer cooking before we had our kiddo's. Nice to know there are a bunch of meals that just need to be thawed/ heated quickly.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

http://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/p/recipe-index.html?m=1

^^^ great website for crockpot meals. A lot can be assembled, frozen and the put in crockpot when needed.

I am having baby #4 right after Christmas so I plan to start stocking my freezer soon. I have found a lot of ideas on Pinterest,

 

[lovemygoofy]

I love crockpot cooking and I do alot of prep and freeze for meals.

I buy peppers and onions and slice, dice and chop into snack size baggies and then load into gallon freezer bags. Great for stews, soups, casseroles, and stir fry.

I do cook big portions of ground turkey and freeze in small portions. Typically it is used in tomato based casseroles so I warm back up in a skillet with seasoning and tomato sauce.

Chicken breasts are frozen in portions with some diced, sliced for strips, or already filet and stuffed.

Freezer meals for us include pasta casseroles, chili, stew, beans and ham, slices of pizza (buy take and bake pizza and freeze slices, pop in the oven) I will make "calazones" with grands biscuit dough and freeze individually for easy lunches or for when I am away. Egg burritos are easy in our house and I freeze mini quiches as well.

 

[LovesTimone]

I make chocolate chip cookies and shortbread cookies that freeze well, I actually find most cookies do. You can also freeze the cookie dough - shape it into a cylinder first - then slice it and bake it when you are ready to eat.

I think I am going to try the cookie dough method. I have a pretty decent chocolate chip recipe, but nothing for shortbreads, suggestion on where to find one, or if you have time and don't mind sharing yours that would be great,

 

[samsteele]

I like to make a big pot of chili and then freeze flat in small ziplock bags for easy portions.

I have a lasagna day where I do an assembly-line of small pan lasagna. I break the oven-ready noodles by hand to fit both alum square cake pans and also small alum bread pans so I don't have to defrost a huge lasagna pan. I like to use the premium canned sauce such as Classico (The Tuscan Style Black Olive & Garlic is wonderful) and find it makes a huge difference in flavour.

I also make approx 6 quiche lorraine at once and they freeze wonderfully well. I just use the pre-made deep dish pie crusts.

2 other simple time savers: 1) bags of frozen peas from the supermarket. Easy to microwave the portion you wish as an easy side and 2) I pre-cook 2 pkgs of bacon. I cut the strips in half before frying and then pkg in a ziplock bag and freeze. When I want a BLT sandwich, or some bacon with my scrambled eggs, etc I just grab the bag out of the freezer and take the small bit I want. No need to start from scratch and fry up a pan.

Just thought of an easy dessert. Not frozen but fast & quick. There are many, many recipes online on allrecipes, etc for "dump cake". Its a terrible name but it literally means that you simply dump the ingredients one on top of the other in a cake pan and bake. No mixing. I think I'm presently using "dump cake recipe no.IV" or similar from allrecipes. Easy peasy and so tasty. You may just want to re-name it something else before serving

 

[Moomduck1]

I have more luck with frozen crock pot meals than casserole meals. Frozen casseroles take up too much room in the freezer. OP - when you froze the brownies, did you cut them first and freeze them that way? It's just DH and I at home, and when we make brownies we eat a few and freeze the rest. It always turns out great. Cupcakes (even iced) freeze well. We also will make a 2 layer cake, ice one layer to eat and freeze the other layer.

 

[LovesTimone]

I have more luck with frozen crock pot meals than casserole meals. Frozen casseroles take up too much room in the freezer. OP - when you froze the brownies, did you cut them first and freeze them that way? It's just DH and I at home, and when we make brownies we eat a few and freeze the rest. It always turns out great. Cupcakes (even iced) freeze well. We also will make a 2 layer cake, ice one layer to eat and freeze the other layer.

On the brownies I made up a double batch, which made 4 pans 9x9 , and baked, then pulled the whole square out, then into a freezer baggie, so that I can get more into the freezer. When I wanted to use them I put them in the frig to thaw. When I went to cut them they were crumbly, and dry. Not sure what went wrong? I really like the idea of cutting them and portioning them out into smaller sizes.

 

[LovesTimone]

http://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/p/recipe-index.html?m=1

^^^ great website for crockpot meals. A lot can be assembled, frozen and the put in crockpot when needed.

I am having baby #4 right after Christmas so I plan to start stocking my freezer soon. I have found a lot of ideas on Pinterest,

Congrats on the new baby .. Another Disney kid coming up - Thanks for the link, I checked it out for a minute, I will most definitely be heading over when I can really look around.