Freezer meals technical question

JenSaidYes · January 2011

Over the next couple of days I will be making freezer meals, but I was curious about how to do the actual cooking of them? Should I cook them partially then freeze? Cook fully then freeze (but what about overcooking when it is time to reheat)?

For example, I am making mini meatloaves today and the cooking time is 45-60 mins. How long would you cook them? Or would you just mix, mold, and freeze unbaked?

Thanks!

BeetleLinz1125 · January 2011

I usually mix, mold, and freeze unbaked. I just make sure they are defrosted thoroughly and cook them at least the same amount of time, if not longer. You will probably be able to tell if it needs more time.

musicteacher84 · January 2011

I'm not quite sure about your mini meatloaves...

But I made some lasagna, stuffed green peppers, & beef stew last weekend. What we did was cook everything as directed and then split into smaller portions, put into freezer bags, used our freezer sealer, and threw them into the freezer.

GL!

Annierose1 · January 2011

I'm doing some freezer meals this weekend as well. I typically don't cook anything except the meat that is going in the casseroles (obviously). If I were doing meatloaf I would just mix and mold then freeze, don't worry about cooking the meatloaf. I'm making lasagna and enchiladas this weekend. I only plan to assemble, no baking, and will leave the heating instructions for my husband

FutureMrsCaesar · January 2011

Try googling a recipe for freezer meatloaves and see how it recommends storing them. Still use your own recipe and everything, just see how they call for storing/thawing/cooking.

blossomtg85 · January 2011

I have been looking around and have seen some meals being cooked and some not. I guess it depends on what you want to do. I am going to cook everything so that when I am ready I can defrost it quick. Or have H do it. I think pre-cooking has its advantages but waiting might make the food taste more "fresh." I'm not sure!

greyt00 · January 2011

I was wondering this, too, but we've already made 2 casseroles and cooked them before freezing. I guess we will see in several weeks how they turn out....

rmm17 · January 2011

For meat dishes, either cook fully then freeze or don't cook at all then freeze. That is the best way for food safety. For casseroles, i would just assemble everything then freeze it since they will just have be heated through (like lasagna). For meatloaf, i would cook it all the way then freeze so i would be quicker when i wanted to eat it.

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