The Freezer Meal Thread

lyse01

so, besides cookie dough, what are you prepping ahead and freezing?

lyse01

@honey_suckle @thatbaintforbetty thread’s up. @honey_suckle I want to know more about these Fat Tuesday buns.

personally, I’m working on soups as an alternative to starchy casseroles that DH won’t like. I got a 12 qt stock pot last week and am trying out doubling/tripling recipes. First batch was chili (I ended up with two quarts in the freezer, both already eaten), and last night I made a pork/butternut squash soup that I hope freezes well (we usually eat the whole batch the same night). I have almost seven quarts in the fridge right now to work with. 

lyse01

Oh, and what are people freezing IN?

MRDCle

I freeze a lot of soups that aren’t dairy based. If they usually have noodles I leave those out. Tons of chili.

Pulled porK and corned beef for quick Sammies. 

Lasanga and stuffed shells are both great, filing and easy. 

Homemade black bean burgers freeze well. 

Preformed meatballs and meat loaves. 

I would like like to freeze more dump meals - freezer bags with all ingredients in them to just dump in the IP/crock pot but I never get around to it. 

@lyse01 usually Tupperware/leftover jars (from jelly etc.) or old soup containers from restaurants. Things like burgers and meatballs are usually wrapped up in foil and Saran Wrap or freezer bags. 

ETA pulled porn = pulled pork 

kangstadt

I'll add that it's super easy to freeze quiche filling in Ziploc bags and then throw in a premade crust for an easy breakfast!

I have a zucchini and sausage lasagna in the freezer for DH along with a vegetarian meatloaf for me and my personal "veggie nuggets," recipe (if anyone is interested, I can share, I make huge batches of these and freeze them to bake off as needed - quick, easy, fairly cheap protein!).

I'm not really sure what else to freeze or make since I don't really eat soups and im vegetarian whereas DH and DS are not, so it's tough to have multiple meals of everything already prepared.

MRDCle

@kangstadt I’d love a veggie nugget recipe!

kangstadt

@MRDCle, I'll post it in the spoiler!

So I don't have exact measurements, but here's the giant batch I make, which does around 75 balls (roughly).  It's a very forgiving recipe and you can feel free to modify!  This is just how I like them best.

16 oz package baby Bella mushrooms, sliced
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
Big can (I think it's the 28 oz size?) black beans, drained
Big can garbanzo beans, drained
2-3 cups desired shredded cheese (I usually use Italian blend or a mixture)
1-2 cups oatmeal
1 cup bread crumbs
1 egg
Desired spices (I use a lot of cumin, some Italian seasoning, some paprika, and sometimes curry powder)

Saute the onion, garlic, and mushrooms until tender.  Using a food processor, blend cooked mushroom mixture, beans, and oatmeal until desired texture.  Mix in all remaining ingredients.  Roll into balls, then roll in bread crumbs.  I then put them on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer them to Ziploc bags.  When I want some, I just bake on a baking sheet at 350 for about 20-25 minutes until bread crumbs are toasty.

I mostly do it by trial and error, adding more oatmeal/bread crumbs if the mixture is too wet to easily form balls, or more spices if I feel it smells too much like mushrooms (I don't really like mushrooms by themselves, thus the food processor, haha).  For awhile, I even had DS eating these but lately he's been too picky *rolls eyes*.

lyse01

@kangstadt I feel like these could stand on their own OR be great in a falafel-type wrap. I’ll also brainstorm some veggie-friendly (/non-mushroom) thoughts.

I think I’ll be making big batches of turkey (noodle to be added later) soup this winter. 

kangstadt

@lyse01, I usually just dip them in ketchup (my DH would say I eat ketchup with everything which isn't exactly a lie...), but they are definitely reminiscent of falafel and could easily be added to a wrap!  I prefer the cumin as a spice base than the "sweet," spices that falafel usually use.

As far as good freezer soups, my DH has made pumpkin sausage soup, chicken/vegetable/cabbage, Thai chicken noodle...

Are you not supposed to freeze dairy based soups?  My mom makes a copycat Panera chicken and wild rice soup that is really good, and I was just thinking of making my veggie version to freeze....

lyse01

@kangstadt apparently the milk separates in the thawing/warming process.

kangstadt

@lyse01, yeah, I should have figured that out.  I think my mom has frozen her cream based soups before and then just adds some milk to stir and incorporate it as she heats it?  Not sure how much the texture degrades from that though.

thatbaintforbetty

My DH is super picky so freezer meals is freaking difficult but here what i'm thinking so far. I'm going to make some stuffed shells and lasagna for sure. I'm not sure if my mac n cheese recipe will freeze well since it has egg and evaporated milk in it but possibly that as well. 

Chicken breast + sweet and sour sauce + can of pineapple = easy sweet and sour chicken in the slow cooker 

Pork loin + can of root beer + bbq sauce = an easy bbq pulled pork in the slow cooker. 

https://www.fromvalerieskitchen.com/nutella-stuffed-french-toast-sticks/   (i'm not a fan of french toast so this would be more for DD and DH) recipe says they freeze well

https://runningonrealfood.com/carrot-cake-energy-balls/  For me because i love carrot cake. 

https://www.buzzfeed.com/melissaharrison/easy-nutella-desserts Possibly the nutella cinanmon rolls and freezing some banana to make various "ice creams"

https://thrivinghomeblog.com/whole-wheat-pumpkin-pancakes-recipe/ (again more for DD and DH as i don't like pumpkin)

https://thrivinghomeblog.com/slow-cooker-teriyaki-chicken-freezer-meal/ 

https://thrivinghomeblog.com/honey-garlic-skillet-shrimp-freezer-friendly/

https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/slow-cooker-herbed-chicken-and-rice-pilaf/

https://www.fivehearthome.com/slow-cooker-thai-chicken-with-peanut-sauce/  (DH wont eat, just for me)

https://thrivinghomeblog.com/slow-cooker-marinara-sauce-recipe/ (Might make a batch of meatballs to have as well so we can make easy spaghetti and meatballs)

https://therecipecritic.com/slow-cooker-chicken-mushroom-stroganoff/

Also here is a page of 70 freezer meals. 

https://nchfp.uga.edu/how/freeze.html  helpful guide to freezing

@lyse01 i will probably pick up a couple of these  for freezer meals, as well as some plastic baggies. 

thatbaintforbetty

Forgot I’m also going to probably freezer prep some fruit/veggie smoothies. Maybe find a good protein powder that can be added in.

HGRich

I love this egg casserole for breakfast potlucks. I’m thinking I’ll have mornings where I want something with more protein, so I’m thinking of making and freezing individual slices of it. I haven’t frozen it before but the recipe claims is freezes and reheats nicely.

https://www.crazyforcrust.com/cheesy-egg-casserole/

Also, who has a great lactation cookie dough recipe that freezes well? I didn’t prep these last time either and I’d like to try this time. 

kangstadt

@HGRich, for individual portion sizes you could freeze it in cupcake/muffin tins first and then pop them in Ziploc or tupperware!

MRDCle

I hear little breakfast burritos freeze well. Anyone do these before? Weekday breakfast is always a challenge for me. I know I can make mini egg cups but the burrito may give me a bit more substance. 

professormama

We always keep bagels and leftover pancakes in our freezer. Super easy to re-heat in the toaster oven and makes for a good breakfast.

We also bought those ice cube trays that are meant to make really huge ice cubes (like for your whisky). Then whenever we roast a whole chicken we do stock in the crockpot, then freeze the stock in the large ice cube trays. Then we throw all the stock "ice cubes" in a freezer plastic baggy. It's perfect because you can either grab a bunch of them for soup, or just grab one or two for a recipe that needs a smaller amount of stock for flavoring. 

As the date gets closer I'll probably make a few freezer meals, but not a ton. Maybe: 

Black bean soup 
Chocolate chip Cookies

 Okay I give up. That’s all I’ve got. 

thatbaintforbetty

@mrdcle I’ve made breakfast burritos before but I’m not a fan. I can never get them to reheat right. Not sure what I’m doing wrong but I gave up on it.

kangstadt

Ooh, good point on the silicone molds, @professormama.  I have some bigger ones meant for cakes or frozen desserts that I also used for making baby purees and freezing them.  Definitely an easy solution for freezing smaller quantities of recipes you want to make in bulk.

lyse01

@mrdcle @thatbaintforbetty even store bought breakfast burritos don’t microwave evenly. Layers of tortilla stay hard and cold, while something in the middle burns your tongue.

mrstmoose

Well crap. Add making freezer meals to my list of things I need to do.

I need an assistant.

lyse01

@mrstmoose I’m also considering just picking up an extra frozen pizza or whatever when I’m at the store and considering that a freezer meal.

MRDCle

same as @lyse01. We make frozen meals (and cookie dough, ha) here at work, so I will be grabbing some of those to have for emergency lunches, and for example, our local grocery store has amazing stuffed peppers I'm gonna pick up. 

mrstmoose

I won't make many, just 3-4 to get us through the first few days of being at home. I hate being stuck at home and just sitting so within a week or so, I'll be wanting to do something.

kate_e_nb

@thatbaintforbetty Holy smokes! That is an AWESOME list of recipes! Thanks for sharing!

@lyse01 That pork and butternut squash soup sounds amazing... I'm terrible at planning ahead for meals... but at the very least I think squash soup is in order tonight now haha!

I think for me, I'll freeze a couple of casserole type things for comfort food, but DH is on a meal plan that is a little harder to pre-cook for, and I do want to support him because he's working so hard to be healthier. However, we've agreed that if I take the lead on having a human being exit my body, he'll take the lead on cooking and cleaning for the time after. Its a good deal I think haha

lyse01

@kate_e_nb recipe photo in spoiler

I usually cut in about 1 cm cubes because I want more bites, but it def adds to prep time. I also use Better than Bouillion if I don’t have stock on hand, and rosemary has been optional because I ran out and forgot to get more. 

thatbaintforbetty

I think I’m anticipating it being super rough with a newborn and DD and DH probably working. The more I can do to help prepare myself the better I figure. I will probably pick up some frozen pizzas and other stuff for the inevitable times I really really don’t have my shit together and/or forget to pull out something that needs to thaw. Lol. 

lin0442

If people are interested in making large batches of prepped/fully cooked food, I can’t recommend this book enough:

https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Panic-Dinners-Freezer-Great-Tasting/dp/0800730550/ref=nodl_

DH and I used it a ton when he was in grad school and we had a tiny budget. A day or two of cooking can easily make dinners for two people for a month, and the book has good chili/soup/stew/goulash recipes that just get thawed and eaten, as well as portions that get prepped raw to be thawed and baked later. Not the most exciting recipes, but it’s got enough flavor and they make good, balanced meals if you add a quick veggie and/or a starch at mealtime.

kate_e_nb

@lyse01
Thanks for sharing! Looks amazing!!!

lyse01

https://www.cooksillustrated.com/articles/1348-a-guide-to-freezing-ingredients

MRDCle

lyse01 said:

https://www.cooksillustrated.com/articles/1348-a-guide-to-freezing-ingredients

I love this. I do always buy just a ton of butter and freeze it, but for example, I didn't know I could freeze onions.

I need to invest in a deep freezer.

lyse01

@MRDCle I freeze butter because I don’t have enough fridge space for salted, unsalted, margarine, and whatever spreadable/whipped version I want on toast. (And yes, I usually have all of them for baking purposes.) also because my mom does and I’ve never questioned it!

A chest freezer (as big as you can afford) is a wonderful investment.

honey_suckle

Thanks for all the great tips and recipes for good freezer meals!! It might feel early to stock up for some, but since I'm already home and don't know when in the next  10weeks they'll come, it's perfect timing for me to do some extra cooking.

So far in terms of food I've frozen some portions of aloo gobi with rice, red lentil lasagna and kale and shrimp quiche. I'm also planning on adding some Thai coconut curry with rice which also normally freezes well. @kangstadt all of these recipes are or can be made vegetarian 😊! 

For sweets I'll make more cinnamon buns because they freeze well and is good to have when we get guests over for coffee, and @lyse01, here's some more info on the fat Tuesday buns: https://sweden.se/culture-traditions/the-semla-more-than-just-a-bun/ they're my favorites!! 

lyse01

@honey_suckle clearly a reason to visit Sweden mid-winter.

squirttheturtle

kangstadt said:

I'll add that it's super easy to freeze quiche filling in Ziploc bags and then throw in a premade crust for an easy breakfast!

I have a zucchini and sausage lasagna in the freezer for DH along with a vegetarian meatloaf for me and my personal "veggie nuggets," recipe (if anyone is interested, I can share, I make huge batches of these and freeze them to bake off as needed - quick, easy, fairly cheap protein!).

I'm not really sure what else to freeze or make since I don't really eat soups and im vegetarian whereas DH and DS are not, so it's tough to have multiple meals of everything already prepared.

Freeze quiche filling?...like with the eggs?

kangstadt

@squirttheturtle, yep!  I had a friend make a freezer meal for my sister when she had her baby.  She just froze the quiche filling (eggs, cheese, spinach, whatever) in a Ziploc bag and the crust separately, then set the Ziploc bag in the crust so it kind of took the shape of the quiche to make it easier to prep.  Pull it out, slide the filling into the crust, and bake!

avidlyuks36

Is it too early to make freezer meals? I'm due April 16th-ish -- what do you think?

HGRich

@avidlyuks36 I would say one a week from here on out would give you a really nice stash! Maybe start with the kinds that freeze exceptionally well. 

professormama

I’m thinking thinking I might start to prep in late Feb? I won’t build up a huge freezer stash though since my husband is the main cookin in our house anyway. I’ll probably just freeze cookie dough, a few soups, a few prepped crockpot meals, and maybe a tray of chicken spaghetti (pioneer woman recipe). 

honey_suckle

After eating a hospital meal yesterday 🤢I'm stocking up with home cooked food that DH can bring me in case I get admitted early for supervision or early birth. They have a fridge and a microwave in the canteen there, and I'm not eating that cafeteria food unless there's no other option. I may be a food snob, but if I have the option to bring my own food, I totally will. 

kangstadt

@honey_suckle, I would totally bring my own food if I knew the stay might be longer.  I'm vegetarian and the hospital portions are always so small that DH never gets enough to eat.  I may ask at my tour if outside food is allowed... and I'm definitely throwing some protein bars/snacks in my hospital bag!