Sorry I didn't get back about meal prep freezing right away, I wanted to get off mobile to respond. ![]()
I try to freeze our meals a few difference ways. My preference is to use glass Pyrex dishes with lids and/or the oven safe Glad dishes (see link below for what I'm talking about). I like the Gladware and Pyrex because, they freeze great, go straight into the oven and then straight into the dishwasher. If I run out of those things to use I go to aluminum pans/tins. I top the tins in aluminum foil and wrap in plastic wrap (I remove the plastic wrap and then keep the aluminum foil on top for baking). That method is obviously more cost effective, BUT the pans tend to be flimsy, I only get a use or two out of them (maybe out of my laziness though) and I always fight with plastic wrap, I hate it.
Prepping and freezing meals is an exhausting process, even when I am not pregnant but totally worth it. In particular when I was working, we were more likely to eat at home when I didn't have to cook at the end of a long day. Good luck... I would love to share some freezer meal ideas if you have any!!
Re: ***Melissa0726***
Thank you, thank you, a million times thank you!
I have been doing a ton of experimenting with freezing leftovers in small sized portions for DD, just to test out what types of things defrost and reheat well. But I am ready to start making double batches of full meals when I cook dinners, and freezing one for later.
Your storage container info is exactly what I was looking for. I was worried about the flimsiness of the aluminum pans, that I wouldn't get a good seal with foil, and I also hate plastic wrap! I saw some freezer-specific containers in target last week, but they were plastic and could not transfer directly to the oven. I will definitely be tracking down some Glad ovenware this weekend!
I think I am going to try to freeze this recipe for taco stuffed shells next week. It is one of DH's favorites. I'm going to have to guess at the re-heating time, but the recipe comments mention that they do freeze and reheat well.
https://blogchef.net/taco-stuffed-shells-recipe/
I'm also planning to make these lasagna roll ups. I am going to do half with the spinach & cheese filling in this recipe and another half with a standard ground beef red sauce and cheese (also sneaking in some spinach!).
https://budgetbytes.blogspot.com/2011/01/spinach-lasagna-roll-ups-801-recipe-114.html
Thank you again, this is so helpful!!
Awesome, thank you!
I feel like I get in a rut of the same old recipes and ingredients. These recipes are perfect!
Plus I haven't come across the budgetbytes blog before... I will be surfing that one today.