Freezer Meals

AmandaG225 · May 2016

Is it too early to start making freezer meals for after baby arrives? Is there a shelf life for freezer meals? I had a few when DD was born but this time around, I would really like to have 20 or so meals ready to go. What do you think?

tisunge602 · May 2016

I think this is a great idea and I've been thinking I need to add this to my summer project list too. We have a chest freezer; I think in there meals can keep at least 6 months. Regular freezer I'd try not to go more than 3-4. Still, though, having even a dozen meals would be super helpful.

Let's share some ideas & recipes on this thread!

amccul20 · May 2016

yeah I think they say 6 months in the chest freezer but honestly I've left them in there longer and they were fine. just make sure they're properly sealed and I always like to throw them in the big ziplock freezer bags too.

I'll definitely be making a bunch of food before baby arrives. and not just meals, i'll make sure I have easy soups, pasta sauce, lactation cookies, breakfast muffins....on hand

Bookhousegirl · May 2016

You've inspired me to start pinteresting some freezer meals. I'm hoping it will help us stick to a budget after LO is born - we did a whole lot of takeout after DS1 was born and I'd like to avoid that this time.

mmclark10 · May 2016

I clearly don't think this is too early because I started thinking about it at the end of March! I made my first meals last weekend when my mom was in town and DS was napping. Smitten Kitchen's Mac and Cheese and Pioneer Woman's Baked Ziti. Made one of each recipe, split each in to two aluminum pans and now have four meals ready for when we come home! Just need some fresh veggies or salad to go along side the pastas.

There were a bunch of great suggestions at the end of March in this thread: https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12669518/freezer-meal-planning

MamaKSquared · May 2016

I've just started on mine this week. I have a vacuum sealer and I'll be sealing some pre-cooked meats (ground beef, chicken strips for salads, tacos, etc.). I have chicken thighs cut into strips marinating now and I'll cook and seal tonight. I also plan to do some soups and casseroles soon.

pelorunningmama · May 2016

Is it bad that reading this stresses me out? I honestly have no clue when I will find time to make freezer meals this go round. We loved having them last time, but it just seems like the summer weekends are filling up so fast and I know I'm not going to want to spend a second extra making meals. I think I will end up doing a lot of crock pot style stuff when he is here. And hopefully I will find the time/energy to make a couple of freezer meals.

mmclark10 · May 2016

@LWC1112 No! I was stressed about doing any and probably would have bailed on them last weekend if my mom wouldn't have been in town. And since what we made actually turned out to be four meals instead of two, I'm already lowering my expectations for how much more I'll make ahead!

charmedlifex3 · May 2016

My neighbors offered up a meal train at my baby shower - soooo lucky!!!

We're buying a freezer this weekend, so I can start on my stash. I figure as we eat the meals, we'll need the space for breast milk, so worth doing. I have a homedepot coupon 1 year same as cash, so we want to use that.

Question for ladies who have freezers - We can either put it in a REALLY creepy basement (dirt floor ugh!) basically - My DH would be the only one going down there, so much nope - OR I can put it in my dining room. Not pretty, but maybe more practical? WWYD?

mmclark10 · May 2016

@Allisun85 Dining room, for sure. Creepy basements, no way!

tisunge602 · May 2016

@Allisun85 Can you put it in the garage? If not, I'd definitely go with dining room.

Car0liiine · May 2016

@Allisun85 if it was me it would never get used if I had to go down in the basement. I would put it in the dining room and I just looked on Pinterest and there's a lot of ideas for painting/covering appliances so it won't stick out like a sore thumb.

ginger819 · May 2016

@Allisun85 We have ours in our creepy 100 year old basement. I mostly just send DH down if I need something especially right now since the stairs are super steep. We use our dining room quite a bit though, so that wouldn't have been a possibility and I feel like our basement is kind of wasted space otherwise.

Tnallen107 · May 2016

I have been trying to get motivated to do freezer meals. But really it is just overwhelming to me. Plus, I don't have a separate freezer, so my space is limited. Do any of you ladies have favorites that are EASY to prep and cook? I am straight lazy when it comes to meals.

Stephanie7693 · May 2016

I make freezer meals a lot now that my kids are getting older and we seem to be busy a lot. But I do plan on filling every Pyrex I have with meals and tons of bags of my spaghetti sauce in the freezer when baby arrives. I don't want to spend more than 10 minutes dealing with dinner those first few weeks. Thankfully the kids will be done with their sports by then, so we won't be rushing out the door in the evenings for anything.
Spaghetti sauce is my go to, spaghetti is easy, and I like the frozen spinach ravioli... just boil and drain them, and add my sauce. 10 minute meal. Right now I already have a tater to casserole and lasagna frozen. But I definitely need to add to that. I'll probably make a lot of sloppy Joe's and seperating them into bags each enough for one dinner. And prepared taco meat. And homemade soup. I'll keep thinking and add to this post, if anyone wants a recipe let me know!

Stephanie7693 · May 2016

And pulled BBQ chicken. My 6 year old surprised himself when he loved it lol

AmandaG225 · May 2016

Found this on Pinterest and everything sounds so yummy! Hope to tackle these soon.

I thought you'd like this Pin on Pinterest... https://pin.it/0_fmq3U

telicious2 · May 2016

Last time I used recipes from Six Sisters Stuff. They have a category for Freezer Meals and Slow Cookers.

I made about 6-7 meals last time bc freezer space is limited. I hope to do the same this time and/or I'll be buying Crockpot bags so I don't have to wash the dish every time.

telicious2 · May 2016

Just found this on Pinterest for Crockpot freezer meals.
https://newleafwellness.biz/2015/11/11/pre-baby-freezer-meals-part-one/

cal031686 · May 2016

@telicious2 Great idea for the crock pot bags!!! I love the ease of using the crock pot but I HATE HATE HATE cleaning it after!!

telicious2 · May 2016

cal031686 said:

@telicious2 Great idea for the crock pot bags!!! I love the ease of using the crock pot but I HATE HATE HATE cleaning it after!!

Yup! I'll go for convenience all the way!!

NICU RN · May 2016

I would wait a little longer to make them. I got a cookbook of freezer meals and it says 2-3 months in freezer. So I am planning to do mine about 4 weeks prior to due date so I have plenty of time to go through them after baby arrives!

KMeredith82 · May 2016

Last time I just tried to make a double or larger batch of a few things closer to the due date,
so I could divide and freeze half. That combined with food that a few friends brought got us through the first few weeks.

cait5413 · May 2016

Just got this in an email--several yummy options! https://www.thekitchn.com/25-freezer-friendly-meals-for-a-long-weekend-231478?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=TK%20Daily%2053016%20-%20Freezer-Friendly%20Meals&utm_content=TK%20Daily%2053016%20-%20Freezer-Friendly%20Meals+CID_02368c39a07aa69b553b1ae631175f1d&utm_source=email_newsletter&utm_term=25%20Freezer-Friendly%20Meals%20for%20a%20Long%20Weekend

Freezer Meals

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