A few years ago a new business opened in town and the premise of the business was that busy moms could come in, assemble pre-made ingredients into meals and then take those meals home to freeze them for dinners later in the week/month. I loved the idea but the cost was prohibitive so I started thinking about ways that I could do that at home without it costing me a ton of money and that is how I found out about freezer cooking or Make Ahead Freezer Meals.
Make Ahead Freezer Meals
It doesn’t always have to be full meals either. Chicken is very often a base for meals in our house and I always make sure that when I purchase chicken breast I make enough that I can freeze some shredded chicken. This chicken is then a great base for Pot Pies, Chicken Noodle Soup and other chicken based dinners.
Lots of moms do freezer cooking where you cook lots of meals all in one day and then freeze them, but lets be honest, I don’t have time to give up a whole day just to cook meals and I am willing to bet that you don’t either.
Sometimes I do plan ahead and make a few easy meals that I know my family loves and freeze them but more often than not I just make extras when cooking and then freeze the extras.
I do this for lots of meals, including breakfast. For instance I pre-make muffins and breakfast burritos so I always have a healthy and quick breakfast on hand. I also make cookies and freeze them so we always have a sweet treat on hand. Soups also freeze well when you don’t include noodles in them–in that case I just freeze the broth and veggies and then add the noodles when warming up later.
Every time I make meatballs I make extra and freeze the remaining food. If I am going to go through the trouble of making and rolling the meatballs why not make it worth my while and make 5-10 lbs of them at one time? I cook them as usual and then just let them cool and then pack them away in freezer safe bags.
I also make batches of sauce and freeze them the same way. That way when I need a quick and easy dinner I just need to pull the meatballs and sauce out of the freezer and we have a great, homemade meal in minutes!
Make Ahead Freezer Meals
Here are just some of the many foods I make and freeze and as I add more to my freezer I will update this list.
Chicken Noodle Soup — Note: I freeze this in pieces and then assemble it together while cooking.
Want to get started with Freezer Cooking?
These great books offer you some useful tips and great recipes: Make It Ahead: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, Don’t Panic – Dinner’s in the Freezer: Great-Tasting Meals You Can Make Ahead and Once-A-Month Cooking Family Favorites: More Great Recipes That Save You Time and Money from the Inventors of the Ultimate Do-Ahead Dinnertime Method.
Want to freeze your fruits and veggies?
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says
Oh wow! These are fabulous! I often say I want to get into freezer cooking but I never seem to get around to it. This just might be the kick that I needed.
Thanks so much for sharing and for linking this post up to the #SHINEbloghop!
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
Marci says
I am a huge fan of freezer cooking. I keep my freezer stocked with soup all winter long.
Heather says
I’d love to do this but right now my freezers are packed. I may need a third!
Clare says
Brilliant ideas! Makes me wish I’d bought a bigger freezer!
Mitzi says
Great ideas!!
I love make ahead freezer meals. It’s the perfect time-saving trick for moms on the go.
Barb @ A Life in Balance says
I need to get some more meals in the freezer. We always have meatballs and sauce.
Jennifer at Making Our Life Matter says
I really need to get back on the ball with freezer meals. Baseball season is starting back up soon, so I need to be prepared!
Christina @ It Is a Keeper says
Freezer meals keep me sane during busy weeks! Such a time saver! I love all of the recipes you shared!
Sarah Halstead says
Ohhh! Love these ideas. Definitely need to work on having meals done ahead of time.
Shari Lynne @ Faith Filled Food for Moms says
I’m sort of a Freezer Meal maniac and I LOVE collecting new recipes for it! Thanks Megan!
Candi @ A Day in Candiland says
We had one of those places and they closed down. Since we have 5 in the family it was geared to 4. I think it would be great to spend the day making up these for the future.
Heather M says
It is so helpful to have freezer meals. Especially with juggling work and homeschool.
Amanda says
Great tips and recipes!! Freezing meals is something I’m definitely wanting to start this year 😀
Julie @ Logger's Wife says
I’m actually working on a number of freezer meals myself. I like ones that I can dump in the slow cooker in the morning to cook. I have a surgery coming up and need quick and easy ways to make super the first week or two after. I’m looking forward to that chicken tenders recipe. 🙂
(visiting from the Titus 2 Tuesday link-up)
mgalko says
Crock pot Freezer meals are even better, you are right! I’ll get that Chicken Tenders one up soon, I promise 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Kimberlee says
Great freezer tips. I used to try and cook for a day or all afternoon and do meals but find I just don’t have the time anymore. I do kind of what you do and pre cook and shred my chicken breasts to use in soups or tacos or enchiladas and I also pre cook ground beef and freeze it – this saves a lot of time. I need a better freezer organizing system though so I know what is in there – I need to work on that.
Amber says
Great ideas! I’ve never tried freezer meals, but I’m always looking for ways to save time while eating healthy.
mgalko says
It really is a great way to eat healthy and it saves you money too because instead of ordering a pizza or stopping at the drive thru you can eat a home cooked meal.
Renee says
thanks so much! I just pinned this to one of my Pinterest boards. I do a lot of freezer cooking and am always looking for new recipes.
Thanks for joining the #shinebloghop
Michelle says
Those look like some super yummy recipes! I do the same as you and make extra to freeze while I’m already making it. Such a time saver!
Thanks for sharing at Good Tips Tuesday! We’ll be featuring your post this week!
mgalko says
Thank you so much for stopping by! I am thrilled to hear that you are featuring my post, I’ll make sure to stop by and say hi!
Miz Helen says
I love Freezer Meals and your recipes look awesome! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great week.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Jordyn @ Almost Supermom says
I’m a huge fan of freezer meals, they make my life so much easier!
Sarah Halstead says
Such a great round up! Thanks for pulling these all together.
Theresa @DearCreatives says
Great meal planning ideas! Thanks for joining the Inspiration Spotlight party. Pinned & shared. Hope to see you again soon.
Frugal Hausfrau says
I’m always rotating meals or partial ones in and out of my freezer so it’s great to have some fun fresh ideas! Thanks for sharing with us on Throwback Thursday!!
Mollie
Audrey says
I need to do more make ahead freezer meals for nights like tonight when I need all the help I can get. Thanks for sharing on Creative K Kids Tasty Tuesdays.
Helen Fern says
I love make ahead meals!! Thanks for sharing on the “What’s for Dinner” link up!
lorraine Williamson says
love the freezer meals can’t wait to see your chicken tenders recipe my teen trys to live on them help need recipe have a great weekend