What are some good meals for freezing?

Question

I want to stock our freezer so when I have my baby we do not have to cook every night. I will do lasagne, spaghetti bolognaise, burgers and beef stroganoff but can anyone give me recipes for other meals that perhaps do not have mince in them that are also suitable for freezing. Does anyone know if you can freeze pancakes??

Answer 1

Very good thinking mommy! You will be so glad you did this and I hope you see the benefits after you aren't so busy with the baby. It is an excellent way to keep from wasting food, and it also saves a LOT of mess. You just stack tasks on top of each other, make lots of meals at once, and then clean it up ONCE. This is definitely a family friendly way to cook, without wearing out the mom.

Here are some things that I make in huge batches and freeze all the time.

Cookie dough, rolled in tubes for homemade slice and bakes!

Lasagna
Enchiladas

Spaghetti sauce, Alfredo sauce, Taco meat...for these you bag up in meal sized portions, then squeeze the air out, and freeze them flat. Once frozen they can be "filed" in any smaller container like a shoebox to keep them organized.

Burritos
Breakfast burritos
Chopped raw onions and peppers for future cooking
You can grate hard cheeses ahead and freeze
French toast

Yes pancakes freeze okay but bag them up in shortstacks because they will stick together. Mine always do anyway.

Meatballs
Hamburgers precooked or formed in patties
Loose hamburger, cooked, patted dry, and seasoned up for any dish (garlic etc), just add the crumbles.

Meatloaf, can freeze raw or cooked, thaw then bake if raw.
Mashed potatos
Sausage and country gravy
(not a homemade but buy the hockey puck looking biscuits)

Make sure you protect these things well, with proper foils, heavy duty bags, and saran wraps. Don't be afraid to double up on bags or wrap things individually and then store groups in a bag. Have a system to use oldest first, and label and date everything, and add directions to anything that you might forget...for ex when I do cookie dough, my label will include the baking temp and number of minutes, whether to ball them or roll out, press flat, coat with sugar, etc. You might label beyond what you would need as a reminder, if someone else is doing the cooking when the baby first gets home.

You may want to stock up on disposable/reusable tupperware type things, as well as disposable pans for things like casseroles...so your pans aren't all in the freezer.

Some items that tend NOT to freeze well...
Pasta
Potatos in pieces, they get mushy.
Rice
I also have poor luck with soups, many people don't.

You can find lots and lots of information if you look up:
Once a month cooking
Investment cooking
Freezer cooking

They will offer very detailed menu plans, and complex charts and lists but you can take what you want. They also have lots of ways to adapt your recipes so they turn out well after freezing.

Bless you and your family as the new bundle comes along!

Answer 2

Yes, you can freeze pancakes, waffles and french toast also. I cook on the weekend, every other one. Try pot roast both beef and pork with some onions, celery and carrots. Don't do potato's as they get a bit grainy. Some soups and stews, even chili does really well. You can even roast a chicken or two. Maybe even fry them. We keep the makings for salads, along with several cheeses and a couple dozen eggs in the frig at all times. When we are in a hurry for a healthy dinner I make omelets, salads and everyone is happy. Don't forget finger food. Fresh fruit, cheese, bread and some light protein make an easy meal that is quick and healthy. But you should also ask your husband for help. My husband was a source a strength and a great help after every one of our five girls were born. Let him help, that's what he's there for. He is the other half of your team. Rely on him and I'm sure he won't let you down. Most men just need to be asked and a little direction. Give him encouragement. Good Luck and GOD bless on your up coming blessed event.

Answer 3

I make freezer meals all the time because they are so easy to warm up. I make pork fried rice, different chicken meals, and seafood. You can freeze just about anything, including pancakes. The main thing is to make sure everything is fully cooked and that the food is in a sealed container.

Answer 4

Sure you can freeze pancakes. Just make sure they're completely cooled before stacking them and wrapping them up, or else they'll stick together and get gummy/chewy (from the moisture in them).

You can also make ahead and freeze meatloaf, chicken pot pie, baked spaghetti, and meatballs. Same thing goes for all this--cool COMPLETELY before wrapping up. Otherwise, steam/condensation will form and make whatever you freeze watery. I usually buy the disposable aluminum pans so that when you're finished eating, you just throw them away. :) Good luck to you, and congrats on your baby!

Answer 5

Seasoned Taco meat
Meat with sauce for pastas
Sloppy Joe mix
Chili
Burritos
Various soups & stews
Meatloaf
Mac & Cheese
Homemade eggrolls & wontons
Manicotti
Meatballs
Calzones
Italian Beef
BBQ Beef
Chicken Strips

Answer 6

Yes you can freeze pancakes.Also try some chili and vegetable soup. I also brown ground beef, put in zip-lock bags and freeze. It is good to make quick sloppy joes, casseroles, etc.

Answer 7

You can freeze pretty much anything.

Casseroles
Soup
Roast meats and vegies

Yes, you can freeze pancakes. Just layer a sheet of baking paper between each one to stop them feezing together.

Answer 8

YOU CAN MAKE AND FREEZE A LARGE PAN OF LASAGNA AND MAKE A SALAD TO GO WITH IT WHEN YOU'RE READY FOR IT. QUICK AND SIMPLE.