Cooking food to freeze before baby arrives

fridaysdance · March 2015

I am planning to start cooking some extra meals and freezing them in the coming weeks so that we do not have to cook as much once little one gets here. I was thinking about some spaghetti, taco meat, and stromboli so far. Do you ladies have any suggestions for recipes that might freeze well? If so, how far ahead would you say I could make them?

Thank you for any input you may have.

ElRuby · March 2015

Stuffed shells freeze beautifully! So does meatballs!

karaelaine1991 · March 2015

I found these on Pinterest and plan to start making them May 2 (1 month before EDD):

https://www.myjoyfilledlife.com/2012/12/17/post-partum-freezer-meals-preparing-for/

https://www.repeatcrafterme.com/2013/03/crock-pot-freezer-meals-for-summer.html

Hope this is helpful! I'm going to keep an eye on this thread to see what else people suggest

thanks for starting it!

jessieR358 · March 2015

Oh great idea!

TheEA · March 2015

I plan to make lasagna, Enchilads, and baked ziti. I know these 3 freeze well from experience. I'll probably make them in early May. (I'm due June 3rd.) I'll def use disposable pans for easy cleanup. I also plan to have ingredients for a few crockpot meals on hand. Ones that only take a few minutes to put together. I actually just experimented crockpoting a whole chicken. It turned out pretty good! I plan to do it again as well as lintels, chicken taco soup, and pulled pork. I'll use liners in the crock pot so clean up will be easy.

christineoxox · March 2015

I've already made some homemade pizzas. The dough I make freezes really well and they only need a few minutes heating in the oven.

gilder40 · March 2015

Any type of soup tends to freeze well. You can store them in Ziploc bags and they freeze flat to save space.

sabett · March 2015

I am hoping to do the same! I found this really helpful in thinking through how I might go about making so much food. I'll probably throw a freezer meal party in early May. In the meantime, I'm slowly working on eating through my freezer to make room...

fridaysdance · March 2015

I'm loving all these ideas. I need to make some meatballs. I like to make sub sandwiches and just eat them plain.

Pinterest has given me some ideas too but most made meals that were too large for our freezer.

ksimo6 · March 2015

We have made lasagna, meatloaf, three casseroles, chow mein, stuffed shells, ham bean soup, taco meat, and taco pie so far. I have been doubling any dinner I make and freezing half of it. It works awesome!

KaLikeAWind · March 2015

Hi, @ksimo6 - Just an FYI, we are currently honoring an hour of silence for our moms who have lost their babies this week. Please refrain from posting or commenting until after 4pm Eastern time. In the meantime, candles to honor them can be placed here

https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12552284/official-loss-candle-thread-hour-of-silence-3-4pm-eastern-time#latest

mvargas12 · March 2015

I never even thought about doing this! Just kind of forgot us grown ups will have to eat too. Great great great idea!

laurendutch · March 2015

I've just cooked chicken and shredded it with my kitchen aid. Then freeze it in two cup increments. It's nice to have for tacos, salads or soup.

Chicken enchiladas
Red beef enchilidas
Chicken Parmesan
Roast Beef meat for sandwiches
Spaghetti sauce
Grilled chicken

I'm also going to buy bread/deli cheese and freeze it. So I can make quick sandwiches.

Also look on Pinterest for chicken dump recipes...

KaLikeAWind · March 2015

I haven't thought about this at all, either. I'll have to discuss with hubs, as he is the chef of the house. I can manage some things, but he is the true master. I'm going to run pretty much everything on this thread past him and see if we can spend some nights in the kitchen together making meals. Thanks for all the ideas, ladies, and to the OP for starting the thread! I'm super appreciative!

cehn · March 2015

Casseroles freeze well. My big suggestion is to line the Pyrex with foil before baking. Then freeze the dish in the Pyrex briefly. Once it's frozen you can pop out the casserole and place it in a ziploc. It'll keep the shape and you can reheat it in a Pyrex when you're ready.

kaitlynmaureen · March 2015

I don't do it consistently, but every once in a while I visit a site called Once a Month Mom (OAMM). It's a site for freezer cooking where you can choose one of their menus and then just print your pre-made grocery list, your prep list and then it gives step by step instructions for your cooking day to maximize your time. For example, as you have water coming to a boil for a pasta dish, you could be baking a recipe in the oven and chopping vegetables for another item. It ends up being about a 12 hour cooking day, but you end up with enough breakfasts, lunches and dinner for an entire month. I also usually up the serving size from 2 to 4 so that I actually have over 2 months worth of food when I'm finished. It's a $10 subscription, but you can cancel and rejoin any time. For $17 you can do customizable menus where you can pick and choose recipes from their huge database. If you're not up for 12 hours, you can cut out several recipes and that will cut down on your time.

Frogger5 · March 2015

laurendutch said:
I've just cooked chicken and shredded it with my kitchen aid. Then freeze it in two cup increments. It's nice to have for tacos, salads or soup.

Chicken enchiladas
Red beef enchilidas
Chicken Parmesan
Roast Beef meat for sandwiches
Spaghetti sauce
Grilled chicken

I'm also going to buy bread/deli cheese and freeze it. So I can make quick sandwiches.

Also look on Pinterest for chicken dump recipes...

Sorry, but freezing bread, cheese, and roast beef sounds not only unappetizing but totally unnecessary! Can't your SO or a friend/family member stop at the store for you?

I don't know, I guess I'm not a freezer kind of gal, but most of this thread just sounds nuts to me - even if you double the recipe and freeze half (which is brilliant, @ksimo6) you're going to need a hell of a lot of freezer space to get even past the first week or two! Where are you storing your ice cream in the meantime?

I vote we think of food that is super easy to make but you don't have to freeze. Personally I plan on letting H do more cooking for the first bit, until I'm feeling it again. And Eat24.com.

karaelaine1991 · March 2015

Frogger5 said:

laurendutch said:
I've just cooked chicken and shredded it with my kitchen aid. Then freeze it in two cup increments. It's nice to have for tacos, salads or soup.

Chicken enchiladas
Red beef enchilidas
Chicken Parmesan
Roast Beef meat for sandwiches
Spaghetti sauce
Grilled chicken

I'm also going to buy bread/deli cheese and freeze it. So I can make quick sandwiches.

Also look on Pinterest for chicken dump recipes...
Sorry, but freezing bread, cheese, and roast beef sounds not only unappetizing but totally unnecessary! Can't your SO or a friend/family member stop at the store for you?

I don't know, I guess I'm not a freezer kind of gal, but most of this thread just sounds nuts to me - even if you double the recipe and freeze half (which is brilliant, @ksimo6) you're going to need a hell of a lot of freezer space to get even past the first week or two! Where are you storing your ice cream in the meantime?

I vote we think of food that is super easy to make but you don't have to freeze. Personally I plan on letting H do more cooking for the first bit, until I'm feeling it again. And Eat24.com.

I actually freeze bread all the time to cut down on middle of the week grocery trips when we run out early - I've never noticed a difference in taste when it thaws

fridaysdance · March 2015

Frogger5 said:

laurendutch said:
I've just cooked chicken and shredded it with my kitchen aid. Then freeze it in two cup increments. It's nice to have for tacos, salads or soup.

Chicken enchiladas
Red beef enchilidas
Chicken Parmesan
Roast Beef meat for sandwiches
Spaghetti sauce
Grilled chicken

I'm also going to buy bread/deli cheese and freeze it. So I can make quick sandwiches.

Also look on Pinterest for chicken dump recipes...
Sorry, but freezing bread, cheese, and roast beef sounds not only unappetizing but totally unnecessary! Can't your SO or a friend/family member stop at the store for you?

I don't know, I guess I'm not a freezer kind of gal, but most of this thread just sounds nuts to me - even if you double the recipe and freeze half (which is brilliant, @ksimo6) you're going to need a hell of a lot of freezer space to get even past the first week or two! Where are you storing your ice cream in the meantime?

I vote we think of food that is super easy to make but you don't have to freeze. Personally I plan on letting H do more cooking for the first bit, until I'm feeling it again. And Eat24.com.

We don't live particularly close to any of our friends and family so we're just trying to cut back on time spent in the kitchen and stores. The hubs is only going to be able to take a little time off to spend with our little one and wants to spend it focused on family more than trying to cook or go to our grocery store. That place is always swamped.

Bread and cheese keeps pretty well. I do it all th time. I got home and decided to do a trial run of various forms of potatoes as well.

Frogger5 · March 2015

fridaysdance said:

Frogger5 said:

laurendutch said:
I've just cooked chicken and shredded it with my kitchen aid. Then freeze it in two cup increments. It's nice to have for tacos, salads or soup.

Chicken enchiladas
Red beef enchilidas
Chicken Parmesan
Roast Beef meat for sandwiches
Spaghetti sauce
Grilled chicken

I'm also going to buy bread/deli cheese and freeze it. So I can make quick sandwiches.

Also look on Pinterest for chicken dump recipes...
Sorry, but freezing bread, cheese, and roast beef sounds not only unappetizing but totally unnecessary! Can't your SO or a friend/family member stop at the store for you?

I don't know, I guess I'm not a freezer kind of gal, but most of this thread just sounds nuts to me - even if you double the recipe and freeze half (which is brilliant, @ksimo6) you're going to need a hell of a lot of freezer space to get even past the first week or two! Where are you storing your ice cream in the meantime?

I vote we think of food that is super easy to make but you don't have to freeze. Personally I plan on letting H do more cooking for the first bit, until I'm feeling it again. And Eat24.com.
We don't live particularly close to any of our friends and family so we're just trying to cut back on time spent in the kitchen and stores. The hubs is only going to be able to take a little time off to spend with our little one and wants to spend it focused on family more than trying to cook or go to our grocery store. That place is always swamped.

Bread and cheese keeps pretty well. I do it all th time. I got home and decided to do a trial run of various forms of potatoes as well.

Potatoes in the freezer? I think my mind is blown.

I know some places having a deep freeze in the garage or whatever is totally normal, I'm just not used to thinking that way!

fridaysdance · March 2015

I particularly love my mashed potatoes when I'm tired or don't feel good. I know they keep a long time in the fridge and i've seen other people freeze them. I thought it was worth a try.

We always had a deep freeze growing up so I'm quite used to making extra. Now we have a mini fridge that adjusts and freezes most things. Best thing I inherited from college roommate s ever.

MrsWiggleWaggle · March 2015

Frogger5 said:

Where are you storing your ice cream in the meantime?

Bahahahaha! Amen sister! Priorities people!

)

fridaysdance · March 2015

We don't really eat ice cream much at home but I get it. I had to find a place to put the popsicles I love all summer.

laurendutch · March 2015

Frogger5 said:

laurendutch said:
I've just cooked chicken and shredded it with my kitchen aid. Then freeze it in two cup increments. It's nice to have for tacos, salads or soup.

Chicken enchiladas
Red beef enchilidas
Chicken Parmesan
Roast Beef meat for sandwiches
Spaghetti sauce
Grilled chicken

I'm also going to buy bread/deli cheese and freeze it. So I can make quick sandwiches.

Also look on Pinterest for chicken dump recipes...
Sorry, but freezing bread, cheese, and roast beef sounds not only unappetizing but totally unnecessary! Can't your SO or a friend/family member stop at the store for you?

I don't know, I guess I'm not a freezer kind of gal, but most of this thread just sounds nuts to me - even if you double the recipe and freeze half (which is brilliant, @ksimo6) you're going to need a hell of a lot of freezer space to get even past the first week or two! Where are you storing your ice cream in the meantime?

I vote we think of food that is super easy to make but you don't have to freeze. Personally I plan on letting H do more cooking for the first bit, until I'm feeling it again. And Eat24.com.

I have Celiac disease and can't consume any gluten. I buy my specialty breads when they are on clearance (so when they cost the same as a normal loaf). We actually have a discount bread store that sells gluten free bread so I plan to stock up.

Roast beef is actually from a pot roast that I cook in the crockpot. We use the meat to make French dips, taquitos and taco meat.

We have a deep freeze in our garage that will store meals, and breast milk.

Because of my celiac disease I can't rely on take out or slot of frozen food. And honestly, I don't trust a lot of food from friends/family bc it is so easy to cross contiminate. For instance, I can eat Swanson broth but not Kroger broth...it looks the same and tastes the same but one contains wheat.

So that is the main reason why I'm planning ahead...so I don't get a gluten reaction when I'm recovery from delivery.

Frogger5 · March 2015

laurendutch said:

Frogger5 said:

laurendutch said:
I've just cooked chicken and shredded it with my kitchen aid. Then freeze it in two cup increments. It's nice to have for tacos, salads or soup.

Chicken enchiladas
Red beef enchilidas
Chicken Parmesan
Roast Beef meat for sandwiches
Spaghetti sauce
Grilled chicken

I'm also going to buy bread/deli cheese and freeze it. So I can make quick sandwiches.

Also look on Pinterest for chicken dump recipes...
Sorry, but freezing bread, cheese, and roast beef sounds not only unappetizing but totally unnecessary! Can't your SO or a friend/family member stop at the store for you?

I don't know, I guess I'm not a freezer kind of gal, but most of this thread just sounds nuts to me - even if you double the recipe and freeze half (which is brilliant, @ksimo6) you're going to need a hell of a lot of freezer space to get even past the first week or two! Where are you storing your ice cream in the meantime?

I vote we think of food that is super easy to make but you don't have to freeze. Personally I plan on letting H do more cooking for the first bit, until I'm feeling it again. And Eat24.com.
I have Celiac disease and can't consume any gluten. I buy my specialty breads when they are on clearance (so when they cost the same as a normal loaf). We actually have a discount bread store that sells gluten free bread so I plan to stock up.

Roast beef is actually from a pot roast that I cook in the crockpot. We use the meat to make French dips, taquitos and taco meat.

We have a deep freeze in our garage that will store meals, and breast milk.

Because of my celiac disease I can't rely on take out or slot of frozen food. And honestly, I don't trust a lot of food from friends/family bc it is so easy to cross contiminate. For instance, I can eat Swanson broth but not Kroger broth...it looks the same and tastes the same but one contains wheat.

So that is the main reason why I'm planning ahead...so I don't get a gluten reaction when I'm recovery from delivery.

Ok, for you it totally makes sense. I knew there must be a deep freeze lurking somewhere

!

BTW my dad just started putting his potato chips in the freezer to keep them from getting stale, so . . . anyway, if you've got the capacity and time now, I guess you might as well go for it!

laurendutch · March 2015

Yep...so still plenty of room for the ice cream in our side by side in the kitchen! Haha! My in laws have a deep freeze and I swear that's all that's in their normal freezer...ice cream!

fridaysdance · April 2015

Started my cooking adventure tonight. Pre-browned some ground beef, made spaghetti, baked some french toast, and have it all portioned out.

laurendutch · April 2015

The Pioneer Woman had a new episode on freezer meals today. Plan on freezing some of her grilled chicken breasts.

fridaysdance · April 2015

I might have to check into that. DH loves chicken.

AllisonCorey · April 2015

I plan to freeze lactation cookie dough. That way have fresh baked cookies, without clean up!

HoosOnFirst · April 2015

laurendutch said:
The Pioneer Woman had a new episode on freezer meals today. Plan on freezing some of her grilled chicken breasts.

Man she has the BEST recipes!

MrsWiggleWaggle · April 2015

AllisonCorey said:
I plan to freeze lactation cookie dough. That way have fresh baked cookies, without clean up!

What in gods green earth is "lactation cookie dough"?!!!

seesea · April 2015

@AllisonCorey that's a great idea! It's probably the only that can fit in my small freezer. I'm gonna look into sugar free or low sugar recipes. Thanks for the idea!

@MrsWiggleWaggle lactation cookies are for breastfeeding. It helps with milk supply. I've also made lactation granola bars and there's even recipes for lactation smoothies. For me, they totally helped!

MrsWiggleWaggle · April 2015

@CillyMama ok that makes sense! Sooo many strange ideas were running though my head!

lizabean15 · April 2015

laurendutch said:
The Pioneer Woman had a new episode on freezer meals today. Plan on freezing some of her grilled chicken breasts.

Omg I was watching her make hot corn dip the other day and I wanted to cry because it looked so good !

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