Would anyone like to offer any suggestions for MAKE AHEAD MEALS??


I am going to buy a small deep freezer to put in my kitchen so i can stock up on premade meals to save time cooking (gonna need the extra time when my baby comes).


Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Any casseroles or lasagna usually do good in the freezer. Also you could make a big pot of soup and freeze it.

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yep I agree with Sarah 1 dish meals are pretty easy and safe to store in the freezer

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here is a site with tips ideas and recipes on making ahead meals...
http://www.txbeef.org/view_archived_...archived_id=75

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I think freezing soups and casseroles is great. I sort of have the opposite problem...I just make really easy stirfry stuff...I am trying to be fancier...HA! I actually just joined this community where I'm currently learning from this expert about being being a gourmet cook!! It's really fun b/c lots of people are talking about different aspects of cooking (and all of their other life aspirations). You should check it out!

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here are a few recipes my sister & I have made while she was preggo & while I was preggo to stock the freezer for after baby was born! Best of luck to you. OH & I also double my recipes when I cook & freeze the extras: lasagna, spagetti sauce, sloppy joe mix, chili, etc.


Pepperoni Pizza Pasta
8 oz. ziti or rontini pasta - cooked & drained
1- 14oz jar pizza sauce
2 oz. sliced pepperoni - halved (about 3/4 cup)
1/4 cup finely chopped green pepper
1/4 cup grated parmesan
1/2 tsp oregano
1 garlic close -minced
1/4 cup sliced mushrooms (or 1 can)
4 oz (1 cup) shredded Motz. cheese

*In large bowl combine all ingredients except motz cheese. Mix well. Place in baking dish/dishes. Top with motz cheese, cover & freeze.

TO SERVE: Thaw & bake at 375 for 1 hour - covered. Uncover & bake additional 10 minutes.

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Ham & Cheese Calzones
2 tubes fridge pizza crusts
1 cup ricotta cheese
4-6 oz sliced pepperoni
2 cups fully cooked ham
2 cups shredded motz cheese
parmesan cheese
basil
spagetti sauce

*Roll out pizza crusts, divide into 2 calzones per pizza crust. Place ricotta cheese on top, sprinkle with remaining ingredients. Fold into a pocket pinching edges closed. Bake at 400 for 20-25 minutes.

Let cool, divide into baggies & freeze.

TO SERVE: Place on pan or stone in oven & heat through.

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Potatoe Cheese Casserole
2 lbs. frozen hashbrowns (thawed 15 minutes)
1 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 can cream of celery soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 medium onion - chopped
1/2 cup melted butter
2 cups chopped ham or chicken (cooked)

*Mix all ingredients well. Place in 9x13 pan. Cover & freeze.

TO SERVE: Thaw & bake at 350 for 1 hour.

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Stephanie's Lasagna
Brown:
1 lb. buger
1/4 tsp thyme
1 bay leaf crushed
1 Tbsp basil
1/4 tsp oregano
1 clove garlic- minced
Add in:
2 cans tomatoe soup
2 6 oz cans tomatoe paste
1 cup water
Mix in seperate bowl:
3 cups cottage cheese
2 beaten eggs
1/2 tsp pepper
2 Tbsp parsley flakes
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
Other ingredients
10 oz. lasagna noodles (cooked & drained)
1 lb. shredded motz cheese

Layer noodles, cottage cheese mixture, motz cheese, meat mixture. Repeat 2nd layer and top with Motz cheese. Cover & freeze.

TO SERVE: Thaw and bake uncovered at 350 for 45 minutes.

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Hamburger Cupcakes
1 lb burger - cooked
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 egg beaten
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/4 tsp garlic salt
salt & pepper to taste
16-18 slices of bread

*Combine all ingredients except for bread, and mix well. Trim crusts off bread, butter one side of bread & place buttered side down in muffin cups & shape. Fill full with meat mixture. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes.

Let cool, freeze in baggies.

TO SERVE: Heat in microwave or in oven until hot.

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Chicken Tetrazzini
12 oz spagetti
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded mont. jack cheese (I use motz)
1 1/2 cups onion diced (I use less)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
10 oz 2% milk
3 cups chicken - diced (fully cooked)

*Cook spagetti until al dente- drain. Saute onions with cooking spray. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Divide into freezer bags & freeze.

TO SERVE: Thaw & place in baking dish. Top with bread crumbs and cheese. Bake uncovered at 350 until bubbly - about 30-40 minutes.

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Kikki
loving wife to Justyn
proud momma to
Cayden Lane 5-2-06
Prestyn Kirk 8-4-08


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