Freezer Meals recipe swap

nessa1632 · January 2018

I’m starting to plan my freezer meals out and thought it might be useful to share ideas for anyone like me looking for inspiration on easy make ahead meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and even some lactation recipes. Also tips for freezing appreciated!

ekendall09 · January 2018

Along those same lines....i'm in search of someones go to sausage/mushroom/spinach lasagna (something of the sort for combination). Someone made me one following DD's birth and i've been thinking of it for legit 5 years. And yes I asked them for the recipe....they apparently made it up. I'd loveeeee to have one pre-made and in the freezer!

ladythrice · January 2018

Here is my list so far of things I want to prep in advance:

1. Baked Blueberry Banana Oatmeal cups
2. Pumpkin Oat Greek Yogurt Muffins
3. Breakfast burritos with eggs, cheese, sausage, and shredded potatoes
4. Baked Ziti
5. Lasagna - Best Lasagna EVER
6. Chicken Taquitos (something like this)
7. Chicken Pockets - Crescent squares wrapped around a cooked chicken, cream cheese, onion, salt and pepper mixture. Prepped but not baked.

Can you tell eating breakfast is a big challenge? lol

bcliffee1 · January 2018

It’s not a freezer meal but I have grown to LOVE the instant pot / pressure cooker for meals. It is so fast and convenient for anything. This will be my go to in addition to freezer meals

riversdoctor · January 2018

Freezer meals were always a flop for us, never taste right after reheating andvwent to waste. Dh was great about prepping me pb jelly roll ups, hummus on pita with ham and cheese, and cabbage salad rolls every week to eat in the middle of the night and when he was at work. My kids love lunch meat and will eat lunch meat, veggies and an apple for any meal (as well as leftover rice) so we kept that on hand too.

nessa1632 · January 2018

@babyclarke429 will you prep the ingredients and then freeze in bag to drop and go?

@ekendall09 possibly not helpful but your post reminded me of the super tasty Trader Joe’s spinach lasagnas... they are frozen and quick to make but I think they only come in single serve. But man they are so good!!!!

@ladythrice awesome list! I am planning on making these burritos for breakfast https://fedandfit.com/homemade-freezer-breakfast-burritos/

bcliffee1 · January 2018

@nessa1632 you know I have never tried that but maybe I’ll do some test runs to see how they come out. I’ll keep you posted

ftm_ohio · January 2018

@ekendall09 I just made a freezer lasagna, it's a recipe from Thug Kitchen which is vegan but I use real ricotta and buy premade pesto. You could certainly add sausage, but it's the best lasagna I've ever tasted!

ETA link: https://yogaathletex.com/mushroom-spinach-lasagna/

frenchiekinplusone · January 2018

Love this thread - I am clueless as we’ve never done freezer meals before so I’ll be following for sure. What week of pregnancy does everyone usually start prepping this stuff? I don’t want to start too early if its gonna taste gross by the time we need it.

@riversdoctor omg you just reminded me that I get to have deli meat again so soon!! It will probably be my go-to the first few weeks. I may have missed deli meat more than cocktails during pregnancy which is saying a lot for me.

Mattel · January 2018

@babyclarke429 I’m obsessed with my instant Pot! I found a bunch of pins on Pinterest for freezer meals to make in the Instant Pot. I’m definitely going to be making some, especially since it means not having to stand over the stove checking and stirring.

kmalls · January 2018

This crockpot beef stew freezer meal was a HUGE hit after having the last baby, so I’ll for sure prep it again. The directions spell everything out, down to the order you should place the ingredients in the freezer bag, which was perfect for me. You just have to remember to take the bag out of the freezer and put it in the fridge the night before you’re going to use it, so it thaws enough to dump in the crock pot.

https://livesimply.me/2014/11/20/freezer-crockpot-beef-stew/amp/

@frenchiekinplusone I waited until 2 weeks before my due date to start freezing everything, but I think you’d be fine up to a month before!

whatabout2ndbreakfast · January 2018

Thank you @nessa1632 for starting this thread! I will shamelessly be stealing all of you ladies ideas

icalynn · January 2018

This is our favorite Sloppy Joes recipe. I usually make extra to freeze.

https://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/sloppy-joes/

nessa1632 · January 2018

@kmalls beef stew was on my list so I’ll check that recipe out! I had originally planned on cooking everything then freezing but y’all are making me think the better strategy is to prep and then set and forget in crock pot... thanks!!!!!

@icalynn sloppy Joe’s will be perfect! Definitely adding this to the list.

I just started to buy meats that I plan to use as they go on sale (new budget goal for 2018- but food that’s on sale only) but from what I’ve read meat can be successfully frozen for 3-4 months so I should be good (I have 11 weeks). I plan to start prepping/cooking a month or so before.

has anyone ever used a meal sharing app before? Like the one where family and friends sign up to bring you food....Just wondering if anyone has done it and pros/cons? It was suggested to me by a friend.

angiek1 · January 2018

Anyone else planning to go MSPI diet right away? My previous kiddos has MSPI so there is a high probability that this little one will as well. I'm changing my diet 3 weeks before due date so I can ensure my supply is set for newborn feeding. All of my meals will have to be MSPI friendly. I started a Pinterest board: https://www.pinterest.com/angiekub84/mspi-diet/

sapphires-and-diamonds · January 2018

Love this!
I also have an Instant Pot so I will be utilizing that a bunch. I haven't used it a lot yet so I still need to find a few good go-to recipes.
I plan to make up a few batches of chili and chicken noodle soup to freeze. I also love to make these mexican beef bowls in the slow cooker. Just a roast, dump a jar of salsa Verde on top with some cumin, garlic powder and whatever spices you like. Shred for rice bowls or tacos.

ladythrice · January 2018

@frenchiekinplusone, so for the most part, when you look at how long foods last in the freezer (below 0 degree temps), 2-4 months is a good rule of thumb. Pastas/breads/casseroles (prepared, pre-cooked foods), etc. will be good for at least two months (I generally use within 4 months). However, if you are freezing raw fruits, veggies, and meats (ie. crock pot/instant pot meals in a bag), that number increases pretty dramatically and is closer to 6-12 months. It's important to know that these dates are 'best by' or 'freshest by' not 'must be eaten by or is now rotten.' There is some wiggle room.

I have done my meal prep two to three weeks in advance of my due date. I haven't gone early yet so it works for me. My mom generally provides all the food/cooking during my first two weeks and all my food prep generally gets used within the next month.

jwhokie · January 2018

I've made this Chicken Teriyaki before and it freezes and cooks really well with minimal ingredients. It makes 2 bags worth.
https://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/teriyaki-chicken-crockpot-freezer-meal-480552?ftab=reviews

I have also made lasagnas and frozen them in previous pregnancies. But like many have said the Instant Pot is making things so much easier these days too.

rmmorris · January 2018

@angiek1 my daughter had a dairy sensitivity, so I went dairy free about 6 weeks after she was born. I think I’m going to start cutting dairy in March just in case. Anything to make that stage more tolerable for me and baby.

ekendall09 · January 2018

maybe a related question...why does it seem babies/kids are more sensitive/allergic to milk/soy now more than ever? I can't beleive how many moms I know recently who have either had to cut it from their diet to breastfeed or buy incredibly special formula. Its crazy to me.

sapphires-and-diamonds · January 2018

@ekendall09 DS had a dairy allergy we discovered when he was about 7 months old, but no official testing until he was 1.5. At that appointment his allergist commented that food allergies in kids were at an all time high, but they were unsure why.
He grew out of it at his next test when he was ~2.5 (still has an egg & peanut allergy though).

nessa1632 · January 2018

Not sure of the scientific evidence but it might have to do with an over saturation of dairy soy wheat etc in most food products today. Like to an extreme (why commercial brand soy sauce has gluten I will never understand). I remember reading somewhere a link between nut butter consumption prenatally and increased likelihood of nut allergy postnatally. I imagine today’s foods are more cross contaminated too.

frenchiekinplusone · January 2018

@kmalls @ladythrice thanks for the tips!!

scuba_chic · January 2018

@ladythrice Great list. After seeing your blueberry muffins, I researched more and found this great list https://www.shelikesfood.com/healthy-baked-oatmeal-breakfast-cups-6-ways.

This is my list so far:
-https://thebakermama.com/recipes/no-bake-lactation-bites/
- Chicken ranch casserole
- Shepherds Pie
- Million Dollar Spaghetti
- Chicken Tettrazini

nessa1632 · January 2018

@scuba_chic definitely checking the shepherds pie and lactation bites out!! Thanks

mmmmkay · January 2018

so a little bit involved but I bring butternut squash and kale hand pies to new moms ( and loved them as a new mom myself)

it's hard to stop and sit down with a knife and fork for a meal in those first few weeks ( or heck, months)
so having something you can grab and eat with one hands is really nice.

So I use the dough recipe and general baking instructions from this:
https://smittenkitchen.com/2008/08/bourbon-peach-hand-pies/

but fill with seasoned roasted butternut squash, sauteed kale and feta cheese. for my self i freeze a ton, for others i bake and bring over.

nessa1632 · January 2018

That sounds good @mmmmkay and I hadn’t thought about the ease of eating; I’m plannjng on making a bunch of burritos so this would diversify the one handed foods group. Thanks!

bchalm · January 2018

@mmmmkay a friend just had her 3rd baby. I think I might try these out for her and see how it goes. When you freeze them, do you freeze before or after you bake? And how do you reheat after frozen.

mmmmkay · January 2018

@ bchalm. freeze before baking, then pop straight from freezer into the oven. add a couple minutes to baking time but if they look done they are done.

bchalm · January 2018

@mmmmkay awesome thanks!!

bcliffee1 · January 2018

@mmmmkay that sounds so good I will try it out thank you

beach_mama · January 2018

@kmalls thanks for the link! Is been added to my newly started Pinterest board for freezer meals.

mmmmkay · January 2018

@bchalm
just a warning. they are a bit labor intensive to make as your basically making a ton of individual mini pies. I recommend prepping the dough and veggies the night before and sticking in the fridge. then rolling out the dough and assembling the next day. i'd say the prep is an hour including bake time for squash. and assembly time another hour. but i enjoy that kind of stuff!

shameless pic from the time i made them to freeze before my first kid!

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