Hi Mama's! Thought I'd start a thread of freezer meal recipes. These are recipes that are totally prepped in advance and frozen so on the day of, you take them out of the freezer, thaw, and throw in the crock pot or oven. Since we will all have our hands full in about 4 months, I thought it would be a good resource to share some recipes so we can start prepping for when baby arrives!
Share recipes that you've tried... hopefully if this is successful, we all have a little cookbook of meals that we can prep now, and enjoy after our LO arrives!
My favorite freezer meal is chicken fajitas! To prep, wash and clean 4 chicken breasts. Chop 1 onion, 1 red pepper, 1 green pepper, 1 yellow pepper, and 1 orange pepper. Make sure the veggies are dried well!
Throw all ingredients into a ziploc bag, and put in freezer.
When you are ready to make, thaw ingredients and throw everything into a crock pot. Add 1 packet of fajita seasoning and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Shred the chicken, and enjoy on fajita wraps with sour cream and cheese.
Soups are my favorite freezer meal because I usually make enough for a potluck, forgetting that we are a family of 2. A good, hearty chili freezes and reheats very well, but even a chowder will hold up so long as the potatoes weren't falling apart to begin with.
I love this one: https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/creamy-spring-pasta-bake I prep everything and then freeze it in a tin. I usually take it out in the morning and put it in the fridge to thaw but can also be cooked frozen in about 1.5-2 hours.
Love this idea! Never made a freezer meal, but really want to now. Now to find a freezer meal without many veggies. DH refuses to eat veggies until he has a kid. His time is coming…
I make these and freeze them for our busy mornings so we still have something decent to eat. Don't microwave them for too long though or they get a rubbery texture.
This is a crockpot recipe but it makes so much, we always freeze it and reheating tastes just as good. Three ingredient shredded chicken: 1 envelope taco seasoning 16oz salsa 4 chicken breasts Put all in the crockpot, High 4hrs OR Low 6-8hrs When done, shred it-works great in tortillas as taco filling.
TW: 1 infant loss 8/17: Our daughter was born 8/18: Our daughter kicked open heart surgery ass 2/19: We lost our son to Prader-Willi/Paradoxical Vocal Cord/ Noonans at 6wks old 4/26/2020: EDD for baby #3!!!
For Chinese food fans..I actually made this the other day and loved it.
Sesame chicken- I added fresh chopped broccoli and fresh grated ginger instead of ground. Only thing you'd have to do is cook some rice before serving. I tried cooking rice along with the chicken in another recipe and it was a little mushy..but it may work with some tweaking.
Also really like this recipe for easy chicken pot pie:
1 bag frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, etc.) 2 large chicken breasts cut into cubes 1 can cream of chicken soup (I like to make my own with butter, flour, milk and some chicken broth, but the canned version works totally fine and is easier) Herbes de Provence or any mix of dried thyme, oregano, basil, sage, etc.. 1 package of pillsbury buttermilk biscuits
Mix frozen veggies, cubed chicken and cream of chicken soup together and freeze. When ready to eat, cook on low for 6-7 hours (or high 3-4) until chicken is cooked and mixture is hot. When crockpot mix is almost cooked, bake the pillsbury rolls in the oven. Split rolls in half and serve chicken mixture over them.
This one was great. It feeds a lot so next time, I plan on getting smaller tins and dividing the portions. Reheating in the microwave after baking makes it soggy, just FYI.
I've tried almost all of them. I keep the taquitos and breakfast burritos stocked in my freezer at all times. The mac and cheese is delicious and I also love the beef and broccoli and southwestern chicken and rice bake!
Something I love doing is making a big batch of meatballs and then freezing them (I vaccuum seal them but not necessary). I make two different kinds. One for Italian foods (just cook pasta, heat sauce and add thawed meatballs or make meatball subs) and then Homestyle meatballs for Stroganoff and meatballs/gravy/mashed potatoes.
Homestyle Meatballs (I bake in the oven, cool, and freeze):
1 lb lean ground beef
1/2 lb ground pork
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1 egg
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup coarse grain mustard
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp seasoning salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp onion powder
Add all the ingredients to a large bowl and mix well, using your hands. Shape into 1 inch meatballs. You should get about 40 meatballs. Bake in preheated oven at 400 degrees for 20 mins.
***TW in Siggy*** Me: 34 / DH: 33 Married: Nov 2011 TTC #1: Jan 2013, BFP Sept 2013, DD: June 2014 TTC #2: Aug 2016, BFP Nov 2016, DS: August 2017
I made these garlic butter chicken and potatoes this weekend and it was really easy and delicious. I bet you could prep this and freeze it (minus the melted butter), and just add the melted butter when you are ready to stick everything in the crockpot. https://www.aspicyperspective.com/slow-cooker-garlic-butter-chicken-potatoes/2/
I love making meals at night (like tarot toy hotdish or lasagna), using the 8x8 and make one for that night and one to freeze. I need to get back into this habit. Also breakfast sandwiches are great to make and freeze.
Me: 34 (Divorced 8-22-16)
Last Depo: 2-19-13 Stopped BCP completely: 10-13-13
TTC Starting 4-26-14 Stopped TTC 2-1-16
Ultrasound found minor PCOS 9-5-15 BFP with boyfriend 12-7-16
Our go to which lasts FOREVER, even if not in the freezer (I think bec of the vinegar) is Filipino Chicken Adobo, add it on top of brown or white steam rice. My grandma and mom would make this for our family roadtrips and I remember going to Washington DC stopping in North Carolina, eating this even hours not being in the fridge. It's the vinegar properties...
Thought I would resurrect this thread: I just made a batch of lactation cookies (makes 40) - froze half the dough in balls and will put into a ziploc freezer bag once they're ready, baked the other half and put them in the freezer to just defrost a few at a time post-baby. Most recipes looked the same with flaxseed, oats, and brewer's yeast as the key ingredients that are different than normal cookies. I tried one of the cooked cookies and thought it was pretty good (essentially a puffy oatmeal cookie). Next time I might decrease the sugar a little and increase the brewer's yeast per the notes at the bottom as I think the recipe can handle it - you couldn't taste the brewer's yeast at all which was good.
I've frozen 2 meatloafs, 2 pans of mac & cheese, and another pasta casserole. Planing on making 2 chicken pot pies next weekend. Perhaps 2 more meals and then I'll settle down.
@kvh22 Thabks for posting a lactation cookie recipe! I've been looking for a good one that will likely taste yummy.
@mrsmatt1212 oo Shepard's pie is a good idea! It's been too hot to make chili but it's on my list. My plan is to make a double batch and freeze it when we make it for dinner. @JDBtwinmama I agree with @mrsmatt1212 - no clue what's enough but we don't have any family nearby to bring us food so I have a feeling I won't be able to make "too much" before we exhaust the space in our freezer. I'm just making sure I write how long it's good for (some recipes say 3 months, some say 1 and I'm waiting longer to make those).
This is only good for 1 month in the freezer so I'm waiting until closer to my 8/21 due date and going to make a bunch but I love this Chicken Pot Pie recipe from Ina Garten: https://houseandhome.com/recipe/french-chicken-pot-pies-recipe/ I adore any chicken pot pie but this one just has so many great flavors you'd never find in a prepackaged one (which I am completely not above either!). DH is not a chicken pot pie guy so these will be all for me and perfect individual servings as opposed to having a huge casserole dish.
Sorry for the long post. I'd been waiting to get close enough to start making some meals, but I used this thread for inspiration and wanted to contribute as well now that I'm finally trying things out and searching through my cookbooks
Re: Freezer Meals
Throw all ingredients into a ziploc bag, and put in freezer.
When you are ready to make, thaw ingredients and throw everything into a crock pot. Add 1 packet of fajita seasoning and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Shred the chicken, and enjoy on fajita wraps with sour cream and cheese.
I prep everything and then freeze it in a tin. I usually take it out in the morning and put it in the fridge to thaw but can also be cooked frozen in about 1.5-2 hours.
Well, @Kathryn0903 by the time you'll probably be eating these meals, he will have a kid
***TW in Siggy***
Me: 34 / DH: 33
Married: Nov 2011
TTC #1: Jan 2013, BFP Sept 2013, DD: June 2014
TTC #2: Aug 2016, BFP Nov 2016, DS: August 2017
I make these and freeze them for our busy mornings so we still have something decent to eat. Don't microwave them for too long though or they get a rubbery texture.
Three ingredient shredded chicken:
1 envelope taco seasoning
16oz salsa
4 chicken breasts
Put all in the crockpot, High 4hrs OR Low 6-8hrs
When done, shred it-works great in tortillas as taco filling.
1 infant loss
8/17: Our daughter was born
8/18: Our daughter kicked open heart surgery ass
2/19: We lost our son to Prader-Willi/Paradoxical Vocal Cord/ Noonans at 6wks old
4/26/2020: EDD for baby #3!!!
Sesame chicken- I added fresh chopped broccoli and fresh grated ginger instead of ground. Only thing you'd have to do is cook some rice before serving. I tried cooking rice along with the chicken in another recipe and it was a little mushy..but it may work with some tweaking.
Also really like this recipe for easy chicken pot pie:
1 bag frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, etc.)
2 large chicken breasts cut into cubes
1 can cream of chicken soup (I like to make my own with butter, flour, milk and some chicken broth, but the canned version works totally fine and is easier)
Herbes de Provence or any mix of dried thyme, oregano, basil, sage, etc..
1 package of pillsbury buttermilk biscuits
Mix frozen veggies, cubed chicken and cream of chicken soup together and freeze. When ready to eat, cook on low for 6-7 hours (or high 3-4) until chicken is cooked and mixture is hot. When crockpot mix is almost cooked, bake the pillsbury rolls in the oven. Split rolls in half and serve chicken mixture over them.
This one easily feeds 8. I usually cook half and then freeze the other half. It is fabulous!
https://www.livecrafteat.com/eat/freezer-meal-chicken-enchiladas/
This one was great. It feeds a lot so next time, I plan on getting smaller tins and dividing the portions. Reheating in the microwave after baking makes it soggy, just FYI.
*edited to clarify*
https://diaryofafitmommy.com/15-freezer-meals-before-your-baby-arrives/
I've tried almost all of them. I keep the taquitos and breakfast burritos stocked in my freezer at all times. The mac and cheese is delicious and I also love the beef and broccoli and southwestern chicken and rice bake!
Italian Meatballs (I bake them in the oven, cool, and freeze):
https://allrecipes.com/recipe/213742/meatball-nirvana/
Homestyle Meatballs (I bake in the oven, cool, and freeze):
***TW in Siggy***
Me: 34 / DH: 33
Married: Nov 2011
TTC #1: Jan 2013, BFP Sept 2013, DD: June 2014
TTC #2: Aug 2016, BFP Nov 2016, DS: August 2017
Freezer Breakfast Burritos
https://www.riceland.com/blog/2017/apr/20/freezer-breakfast-burritos/
https://www.aspicyperspective.com/slow-cooker-garlic-butter-chicken-potatoes/2/
Tuscan Pasta https://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2016/03/20-minute-tuscan-pasta-freezer-meal.html#_a5y_p=5124453
https://musthavemom.com/slow-cooker-chicken-noodle-soup-recipe-freezes-well
***TW in Siggy***
Me: 34 / DH: 33
Married: Nov 2011
TTC #1: Jan 2013, BFP Sept 2013, DD: June 2014
TTC #2: Aug 2016, BFP Nov 2016, DS: August 2017
BFP with boyfriend 12-7-16
https://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-quick-and-homey-oatmeal-126095
Because I am lazy and love when the shopping list is already there for you also!
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/filipino-chicken-adobo-recipe-1955818
https://freezercookingclub.blogspot.com/2012/06/lactation-cookies.html
20 homemade burritos
mac and cheese for the kiddos
50 meatballs
sauce
a premade ziti
and lots and lots of marinated meat
everything is homemade, but I'm starting to stress it's not enough. Must be nesting!
(Homemade)
•Chicken Tettrazini
•Gordon Ramsey's Shepherd Pie
•Grown Up Tuna Noodle Casserole
•Chili
•Pioneer Woman Hot Roast Beef Sandwiches
•Peanut butter energy balls
(Store bought)
Stouffers Lasagna
Digiorno pizzas
I might do some frozen breakfast burritos but we normally just eat cereal so I don't know if those would even help.
@kvh22 Thabks for posting a lactation cookie recipe! I've been looking for a good one that will likely taste yummy.
@JDBtwinmama I agree with @mrsmatt1212 - no clue what's enough but we don't have any family nearby to bring us food so I have a feeling I won't be able to make "too much" before we exhaust the space in our freezer. I'm just making sure I write how long it's good for (some recipes say 3 months, some say 1 and I'm waiting longer to make those).
DH and I are making breakfast burritos every Saturday until I deliver - 2 for us to eat, 6 for us to freeze. These can just be microwaved 2-3 minutes and will go fast for us but if you're good with cereal, it's a bit of effort: https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-freezer-friendly-breakfast-burritos-234556
This is only good for 1 month in the freezer so I'm waiting until closer to my 8/21 due date and going to make a bunch but I love this Chicken Pot Pie recipe from Ina Garten: https://houseandhome.com/recipe/french-chicken-pot-pies-recipe/ I adore any chicken pot pie but this one just has so many great flavors you'd never find in a prepackaged one (which I am completely not above either!). DH is not a chicken pot pie guy so these will be all for me and perfect individual servings as opposed to having a huge casserole dish.
Sorry for the long post. I'd been waiting to get close enough to start making some meals, but I used this thread for inspiration and wanted to contribute as well now that I'm finally trying things out and searching through my cookbooks