Freezer Meal Recipes

ShadeofGreen816 · March 2017

Hope no one minds that I start this - I don't think we've done this before. I'm looking for some good recipes that I can make in the next couple months to freeze for after baby comes. Healthy would be ideal, but ultimately fast, easy, and tasty wins!!

BabyMC517 · March 2017

I'm so glad you started this! I was going to if no one else had

ChristinaWild · March 2017

This is the document I've got so far. I'm still adding to it to get some more dinners/lunches added. A lot of stuff on here is just stuff that I'm throwing together to send to daycare, so it's not necessarily the most well rounded looking list of food!

L1C4gal · March 2017

@ShadeofGreen816 Thanks for starting this! Also, my pregnancy brain read "tasty wins" as "twins," and I had a moment of confusion where I thought you suddenly found out you were having twins! *facepalm*

BabyMC517 · March 2017

haha I totally read "twins" as well! *face palm*

KMD1106 · March 2017

Here's what I have saved on my phone. It'll be warm out, so I didn't include any easy ideas like soup or chilis, but those might be an easy add.

Freezer Meal Ideas

-Kentucky Beef Roast

-Marinated Chicken and Pork

-Ground Beef Burritos

-Chicken Devon

-Cajun Hash Brown Casserole: https://www.plainchicken.com/2017/02/cajun-hash-brown-casserole.html?m=1

-Hawaiian Sliders:

https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/snack/other-snack/hawaiian-ham-roll-sliders.html.amp

-Bourbon Chicken: https://pinchofyum.com/sticky-bourbon-chicken-rice

SparkySunDevil · March 2017

Thanks for starting this!! I definitely need to start making my freezer meals. I did with my last and it made cooking while recovering from a CS much easier.

starphish18 · March 2017

Couple things I've thought of so far:

Lasagna
Quick breads for breakfasts/snacks - zucchini, lemon, banana, etc
Pancakes for breakfast (freeze and reheat in microwave well)

BabyMC517 · March 2017

Okay, so I don't really have go to freezer meals. I had attempted to pre-make some crock pot ones a while ago and I didn't think they turned out that great (partly because we're gone way too long for it to sit in the crock pot). I was searching google, not busy at work at the moment haha, and found some decent sites that give a ton of recipes and even tell you what is good to freeze and what's not. I thought they might be helpful

https://happymoneysaver.com/freezer-meals/

https://newleafwellness.biz/2013/12/09/baby-freezer-meals/

https://www.thebump.com/a/freezer-meal-recipes (yep, from TB!)

https://thrivinghomeblog.com/healthy-recipes-index/healthy-freezer-meals-recipes/ (ETA: I looked at this more and love that they tell you which ones to freeze before cooking/baking!)

I'll keep looking

bacorrea · March 2017

Pizza Dough

-make whatever recipe you love, and freeze in the shape of a ball. The day you want pizza throw the dough in your fridge and it will be thawed by dinner. You can even freeze cheese/toppings as well.

Chicken

-Basically the easiest thing to do is dump chicken. You can do this with fresh or frozen chicken. Buy/Make whatever marinades you love (we do buffalo sauce, and BBQ sauce mostly). Take 2-4 pieces (depending on the amount of people you're feeding) of chicken place in gallon ziplock bag and cover in sauce. Throw in freezer. The day before you want the chicken put the bag in fridge and let it marinate/thaw overnight. Then throw in crock pot and cook. We then normally shred for sandwiches/wraps/toppings for salad.

-You can do Skinny Taste's Chicken Parm recipe. Basically just go as far as coating the chicken in the breading then freeze the chicken. Then you can thaw the night before and follow the rest of the recipe (bake, sauce, cheese, etc)

-Stromboli freezes well

-Lasagna freeze well

-Baked Ravioli (basically make ravioli then layer in baking dish with sauce and cheese, sometimes I add frozen spinach in the mix) and then freeze and bake like you would a casserole.

-Burger patties freeze well, I like to make ranch cheddar burger patties to freeze

-This is a great meatball recipe, meatballs freeze really well. https://www.rickontherocks.com/slow-cooker-meatball-subs-recipe/#_a5y_p=3381082

-This pulled pork recipe is incredible. You can make and then freeze the meat into portions https://www.kevinandamanda.com/perfect-pulled-pork-slow-roasted-seasoned-savory/

Pork Loin

-This recipe is good and she gives you step by step instructions on how to freeze https://thrivinghomeblog.com/2015/07/herb-roasted-pork-tenderloin-freezer-meal/

jayandaplus · March 2017

Thank you for starting this @ShadeofGreen816 !

I plan to have plenty of things on hand for all meal types, including breakfast like egg cups and Costco muffins. I also plan to cheat and have some hot pockets and smart ones. I don't have any recipes, but am so grateful for those who are posting them so I can use those!

nda_roxybabe · March 2017

So glad you started this as H and I have really been wanting to get going on these. He's uber picky, but hopefully there will be some things he'd like. I do know we're going to make freezer breakfast burritos.

hp_momma · March 2017

This really isn't a freezer meal, but easy to have the ingredients on hand, I always have chicken in our freezer. It's one of my go-to weekly meals for busy nights!

Crockpot Chicken Tacos
- Jar of your favorite Salsa
- Chicken Breasts (I use 2 large)
- Flour Tortillas
- Taco Toppings (cheese, sour cream, lettuce, olives, basically whatever you have on hand!)

1. Place (thawed) chicken in crockpot.
2. Add jar of salsa
3. Cook on Med/Low for 6-8 hours or High for 4hrs
4. Shred chicken with fork when done
5. Build your chicken tacos!

fbmandy55 · March 2017

I had originally planned to do freezer meals, we just don't have freezer space. My plan on the 25th is to do a "stock the pantry". I'm going to have at least 3 boxes of cereal set back for DS and DH, rice, canned tomatoes, broth, peanut butter, fruit snacks, protein bars (I love the nature valley ones).

BabyMC517 · March 2017

@fbmandy55 I don't think the freezer we will have at the apartment we are moving to will be very large, but I figured we could make a few things and maybe my parents could store some and bring them over

CherryBananas · March 2017

@ShadeofGreen816 thanks for starting this!

Here's what's on my list for this week:

- pancakes. I make mine toast-sized so I can heat them in the toaster instead of the microwave

- lazy lasagna.

- breakfast burritos https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/freezer-breakfast-burritos/#more-35074

- marinated chicken https://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/2017/02/7-chicken-marinade-recipes-freezer-friendly.html

- twice baked potatoes

- Philly cheesesteak https://www.smartmoneymom.com/philly-cheesesteak-freezer-meal/

- chicken broccoli rice casserole (I make mine without the cheese)
https://moneysavingmom.com/2012/05/4-weeks-to-fill-your-freezer-chicken-broccoli-rice-casserole-day-14.html

- chicken and cilantro wontons (I use ground turkey) https://www.aheadofthyme.com/2017/01/how-to-make-chicken-and-cilantro-wontons/

- meatloaf (DH's favourite)

- and soups!! https://www.skinnytaste.com/baked-potato-soup/

https://www.skinnytaste.com/broccoli-cheese-and-potato-soup/

https://www.skinnytaste.com/beef-potato-and-quinoa-soup/

I've had a strong aversion to my crockpot during my pregnancy (the chicken recipe @hp_momma shared is in regular rotation at our house but even the thought of it makes my stomach turn) so I'm trying to avoid freezer meals that involve using it. I love the bread and rolls idea! I'll have to add some baking to my list.

nda_roxybabe · March 2017

Any freezer organization tips? I'm hoping to have such a good supply in addition to freezer meals that I run out of space :P

NotAPlaya-JustCrushAlot · March 2017

I made some freezer meals last time but didn't end up needing them that much. I also made and froze chocolate chip muffins and cookie dough. It was nice to have frozen cookie dough when guests stopped by. Not because I felt like I needed to bake for them, but it gave me an excuse to eat cookies

I've heard good things about this taco meat, but haven't tried it: https://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/salad-tacos/

There's some good ideas here too: https://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/freezer-cooking/

hp_momma · March 2017

@NotAPlaya-JustCrushAlot Pioneer Woman is my go-to! I've never tried a recipe from hers I didn't like.

I plan to do a lot of stocking up at Costco and using Safeway delivery for groceries! I foresee a lot of middle of the night app "shopping" while nursing.

pshaortao · March 2017

Thanks for starting this! I didn't really take advantage of freezer meals the first time around but plan to this time since I have DD to keep in mind. I just ate a lot of high protein snacks and jimmy dean breakfast sandwiches back then. And I'm totally getting the sandwiches again because BF = hungry all the time. My mom is flying in on May 6 so hopefully we will have time to prep a few freezer meals before baby comes.

I just tried this meal from costco a couple days ago and it's pretty tasty (and mildy spicy). DD was a bit picky probably because it was mixed in with some white rice and she stopped eating rice sometimes last year. She still ate a little bit of the chicken once we separated it from the rice. It has a long shelf life so it can stay in the fridge for a couple months. One (out of 2) package was enough for the three of us. https://sukhis.com/product/chicken-tikka-masala/

cclaineDC · March 2017

Thanks for starting this!

Black bean lentil or quinoa burgers are the bomb summer freezer meal, if anyone's looking for a veggie option. I usually make a batch of 10, freeze, and re-heat on the skillet as needed. We eat them in pitas, on rolls, or crumbled on top of a salad. They're super easy and don't take up much freezer space.

DH is lactose intolerant, so whatever freezer meals we make will have to be dairy free.

jlonie614 · March 2017

@hp_momma I do a similar recipe...except I add a packet of taco seasoning along with the jar of salsa. I also use frozen chicken if that is all I have and it still comes out yummy.

vrj0522 · March 2017

Just catching up on this thread. Thanks for all the ideas! I have a question... how long are prepared meals good frozen? Like something like lasagna, prepared chicken, soups? How long are they good in the freezer for?

CherryBananas · March 2017

@vrj0522 most recipes will say about 3 months is optimal. I've reheated pasta and meat way past that and it still tasted fine. Anything with potatoes though (like stew) and the texture gets weird after about 4 months or so.

chickyclg · March 2017

I am big on cooking/freezing shredded chicken. I buy in bulk when it's on sale, cook in the crockpot, place in bags, and heat it back up on the stove with chicken broth when we need it.

I used the chicken for all sorts of stuff (especially Mexican dishes), taquitos, tostadas, buffalo chicken sliders, chicken enchilada casserole, chicken Tacos.

jayandaplus · March 2017

Sorry if someone asked this already, but for those STM+, when is a good time to make these? (As in, how soon before your EDD?)

bacorrea · March 2017

jayandaplus said:

Sorry if someone asked this already, but for those STM+, when is a good time to make these? (As in, how soon before your EDD?)

I would probably do about a month out so you have meals for 2 months post birth (assuming most frozen meals are good for 3ish months).

sarah0985 · March 2017

Thank you for starting this and clarifying when is a good time to start prep for it. I plan to do it next week on my spring break.
A friend of mine said too to be careful with food aversions. Sometimes They don't go away immediately so to have a variety of your pregnancy foods and your non-pregnancy foods if that makes sense.

I I wish the bump had an easy way to save this thread for easy access in case it gets buried.

chickyclg · March 2017

Adding as I think of things, I used to make ahead and freeze PB&J sandwiches (basically DIY Uncrustables). I would grab one and toss it in the microwave for 30ish seconds before I would pump. I'm thinking these will also be awesome for a last minute toddler lunch, you can also put them in a lunch box frozen and they thaw in just a couple of hours.

hp_momma · March 2017

Just want to add if your breastfeeding, babies tummies will react to certain foods and make them more gassy/upset. In the beginning I had to avoid a lot of spicy food, onions, and tomato sauce!

chickyclg · March 2017

hp_momma said:

Just want to add if your breastfeeding, babies tummies will react to certain foods and make them more gassy/upset. In the beginning I had to avoid a lot of spicy food, onions, and tomato sauce!

Oh God, dairy! I couldn't eat/drink anything dairy for months.

sarah0985 · March 2017

https://diaryofafitmommy.com/15-freezer-meals-before-your-baby-arrives/

Im going shopping today for this list and prepping it today and tomorrow. I'll report back any tips and opinions. I liked this list because it has a really nice variety of foods.

I also looked at this one and liked it. But I decided to start with above and see how much space I have in the freezer after.

https://newleafwellness.biz/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Pre-Baby-Freezer-Meals-grocery-list.pdf

bacorrea · March 2017

https://damndelicious.net/2017/02/25/slow-cooker-tater-tot-casserole/

I made that last night. It could totally be a freezer meal. Make the meat mixture then freeze. Then continue with the normal steps by throwing all in the crockpot. You would just have to cook on high instead of low.

hp_momma · March 2017

@bacorrea I love DamnDelicious! She has really good recipes.

bacorrea · March 2017

@hp_momma me too! I think I'm going to order her cookbook! I also love that the nutritional information is listed!

SKZW · March 2017

sarah0985 said:

https://diaryofafitmommy.com/15-freezer-meals-before-your-baby-arrives/

Im going shopping today for this list and prepping it today and tomorrow. I'll report back any tips and opinions. I liked this list because it has a really nice variety of foods.

I also looked at this one and liked it. But I decided to start with above and see how much space I have in the freezer after.

https://newleafwellness.biz/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Pre-Baby-Freezer-Meals-grocery-list.pdf

The New Leaf website seems really helpful for this type of cooking. It has a breakfast burrito freezer recipe & chicken pesto calzone freezer recipe, and I made & froze them both this weekend. I haven't done the baking/warming/eating yet, so can't vouch for how they'll ultimately turn out, but I've eaten calzones & burritos from frozen before so they seemed like good ones to try. If I sneak a breakfast burrito before the LO arrives, I'll report back.

aeb35 · March 2017

Have you guys heard of Wildtree? I attended a Wildtree workshop a few months ago and got hooked on their freezer meal kits. They come with products to make 10 meals (or 20 if you split them in half), a shopping list for the meat and veggies, recipes, and bag labels. The meals were better than most of the recipes I've made in the past. Everything is organic, and there are 11 kits to choose from.

If anyone is interested, I can share my rep's contact information. I think if you host a freezer meal party you can earn free products.

**Removed for TOU violation**

NotAPlaya-JustCrushAlot · March 2017

aeb35 said:

Have you guys heard of Wildtree? I attended a Wildtree workshop a few months ago and got hooked on their freezer meal kits. They come with products to make 10 meals (or 20 if you split them in half), a shopping list for the meat and veggies, recipes, and bag labels. The meals were better than most of the recipes I've made in the past. Everything is organic, and there are 11 kits to choose from.

If anyone is interested, I can share my rep's contact information. I think if you host a freezer meal party you can earn free products.

**Removed for TOU violation**

Are you new here? Maybe instead of trying to sell us something, you intro yourself and get to know us.

aeb35 · March 2017

Hi! Definitely not new here. My oldest is 4 and I've been on the boards for a few years. I'm very sorry if it came across that way. I'm not selling anything (I don't have time to take that on!), just sharing something that helped me. A group of moms and I used to get together to make freezer meals, but it took us forever to agree on recipes and they all tasted the same to me. Again, sorry if I offended anyone.

ChristinaWild · April 2017

Um....I just found these, and I'm definitely adding them to my freezer recipes. Desserts for everyone!!!

https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2016/03/07/the-ultimate-unbaked-brownies-raw-vegan/

jayandaplus · April 2017

@ChristinaWild I want to make all of her brownie recipes now!

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