https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 22 May 2026 12:47:18 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/freezermake-ahead-meal-ideas-needed#post-1670624 Sat, 31 May 2014 15:42:57 +0000 AmeliaBedilia 1670624@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HLK208: Thanks for this! DH is gluten free and he could eat these. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/freezermake-ahead-meal-ideas-needed#post-1670623 Sat, 31 May 2014 15:41:27 +0000 AmeliaBedilia 1670623@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrschickpea: FYI- you can click on subscribe right below the original post, which allows you to follow without even having to post. I love this feature! :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/freezermake-ahead-meal-ideas-needed#post-1666617 Thu, 29 May 2014 18:41:52 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 1666617@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Chicken and vegetable soup<br /> Pulled pork</p> <p>I've never actually tried to freeze either of those, but it seems like it could be done. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/freezermake-ahead-meal-ideas-needed#post-1666610 Thu, 29 May 2014 18:40:29 +0000 HLK208 1666610@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been making almond flour banana muffins that are super easy and somewhat healthy...so good for breakfast or snacking!</p> <p>1 1/2 cups almond flour<br /> 2 ripe bananas<br /> 1 tbsp honey<br /> 1 egg<br /> 1 tsp vanilla extract<br /> 2-3 tbsp melted grass fed butter (I've also used coconut oil)<br /> 1 tsp baking soda<br /> 1/2 tsp salt</p> <p>Mix wet ingredients and dry separately then combine, top mixture of 1 tbsp almond flour, 1 tsp cinnamon, and 1 tbsp grass fed butter - bake for 17 minutes at 350. </p> <p>Also, here's a great website for 20 meals under $150 all from Costco<br /> <a href="http://www.5dollardinners.com/20-meals-from-costco-for-150-recipes-printable-shopping-lists/" rel="nofollow">http://www.5dollardinners.com/20-meals-from-costco-for-150-recipes-printable-shopping-lists/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/freezermake-ahead-meal-ideas-needed#post-1666510 Thu, 29 May 2014 18:14:45 +0000 NorCalWayfarer 1666510@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We make a whole bunch of twice baked potatoes, then individually wrap and freeze them. That way we can just pull one out per person and thaw in the microwave. Goes well with fresh steamed broccoli or sauteed carrots, and a piece of BBQ meat.</p> <p>I also just make some tomato soup and froze it (I've seen some recipes for diary-free tomato soup). I've also done a Shepard's Pie. And I make this Mexican lasagna often and it's great as a freezer meal -- you can just omit the cheese and sour cream. <a href="http://batterlicker.com/2011/05/mexican-tortilla-lasagna-with-chorizo-kale-and-beans/" rel="nofollow">http://batterlicker.com/2011/05/mexican-tortilla-lasagna-with-chorizo-kale-and-beans/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/freezermake-ahead-meal-ideas-needed#post-1666481 Thu, 29 May 2014 18:02:54 +0000 shellio 1666481@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@coopsmama: My DS is dairy free so we do a lot of dairy free cooking :) I like to make soup or chili and freeze it in mini bread loaf trays for single servings, like this one:<br /> <a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Wilton-Recipe-Right-Cavity-Mini/dp/B0045Y17Q8/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1401404138&#038;sr=8-8&#038;keywords=mini+bread+loaf" rel="nofollow">http://smile.amazon.com/Wilton-Recipe-Right-Cavity-Mini/dp/B0045Y17Q8/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1401404138&#038;sr=8-8&#038;keywords=mini+bread+loaf</a></p> <p>This soup is awesome, fairly easy to prepare since you don't have to be fussy about cutting up the veggies, plus DS loves it so it is a great way for all of us to get our vegetables:<br /> <a href="http://erecipecards.blogspot.com/2012/09/farmers-market-tomato-soup-um-bisque.html" rel="nofollow">http://erecipecards.blogspot.com/2012/09/farmers-market-tomato-soup-um-bisque.html</a><br /> (You could throw in some sausage or whatever if you are a must-eat-meat kind of a gal)</p> <p>I'm making these enchiladas this weekend for a friend who just had a baby, optimistic that they will freeze well and be something different from the pasta that everyone brings over:<br /> <a href="http://www.dailygarnish.com/2011/08/roasted-butternut-squash-black-bean-enchiladas-with-homemade-sauce.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.dailygarnish.com/2011/08/roasted-butternut-squash-black-bean-enchiladas-with-homemade-sauce.html</a></p> <p>This is something I just pinned, haven't done it but crock pot is such a great way to cook in the summer without heating the house up and standing over a hot stove:<br /> <a href="http://kojo-designs.com/2013/02/more-freezer-crockpot-recipes-2/" rel="nofollow">http://kojo-designs.com/2013/02/more-freezer-crockpot-recipes-2/</a></p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/freezermake-ahead-meal-ideas-needed#post-1666449 Thu, 29 May 2014 17:47:29 +0000 mrs. wagon 1666449@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Here are the 3 posts I've written about slow cooker freezer meals!! My favorites are Beef and Mushrooms and Italian Lemon Chicken.</p> <p><a href="http://www.hellobee.com/2013/06/24/slow-cooker-freezer-meals/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/2013/06/24/slow-cooker-freezer-meals/</a><br /> <a href="http://www.hellobee.com/2013/08/02/slow-cooker-freezer-meals-part-2/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/2013/08/02/slow-cooker-freezer-meals-part-2/</a><br /> <a href="http://www.hellobee.com/2013/11/04/slow-cooker-freezer-meals-part-3/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/2013/11/04/slow-cooker-freezer-meals-part-3/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/freezermake-ahead-meal-ideas-needed#post-1666400 Thu, 29 May 2014 17:20:52 +0000 mrschickpea 1666400@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Commenting to follow :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/freezermake-ahead-meal-ideas-needed#post-1665977 Thu, 29 May 2014 14:36:14 +0000 BSB 1665977@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@coopsmama: Yeah, we used to rely on canned soups but homemade soups are 100% better and tastier! Mmm, now I want soup. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/freezermake-ahead-meal-ideas-needed#post-1665940 Thu, 29 May 2014 14:19:50 +0000 coopsmama 1665940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: Wow! That is so incredibly helpful. Thank you for taking the time to share that with me. Adding a lot of that to my list right now!! :) </p> <p>@bluestriped bee: Good point on broth based soups freezing better than creamed ones. Even though it's summer I'm thinking soups will be a great fast option for us! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/freezermake-ahead-meal-ideas-needed#post-1665703 Thu, 29 May 2014 13:11:59 +0000 BSB 1665703@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you like soups, you could make a bunch of soups and freeze into individual portions. Broth based soups are usually better than cream based soups. </p> <p>I have chicken noodle, turkey noodle, minestrone, asian duck and bok choy soup, and butternut squash soup. I get a rotisserie checken from Costco for DH and I ask him to save the carcuss. Then I make a soup out of it with whatever I have in the fridge or freezer. </p> <p>For breakfast, I have green smoothies made and some overnight refrigerated oatmeals. I thaw them the night before and eat in the AM. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/freezermake-ahead-meal-ideas-needed#post-1665639 Thu, 29 May 2014 12:52:54 +0000 gingerbebe 1665639@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What a timely thread, we are going through this now! We find it more helpful to have pre-cooked, pre-portioned meals in the freezer to thaw and reheat rather than prepping uncooked casseroles so we fully cook everything first. The exception to pre-portioning is things like pre-cooked/shredded meat, which we'll just package into 1lb portions. DH can't have cheese and most dairy too, so I totally understand how hard this is!</p> <p>I just ordered a bunch of Versatainers (micro/freezer safe) and freezer labels from Amazon and am going to start stashing meals into our chest freezer starting this weekend. If you have a Costco membership, I highly recommend either buying their $5 rotisserie birds and pulling the meat to use or buying their pre-pulled skinless rotisserie chicken meat. They sell it in 2.5lb packages for $12 and its so yummy! If I'm cooking chicken for the freezer, rotisserie chicken meat or boneless skinless chicken thighs is what I use because it doesn't get dry or fall apart like boneless skinless breasts do.</p> <p>I also depend on Costco's 5lb bags of frozen vegetables. My DH has a condition where he can't eat a lot of vegetables and they have this one organic mix that's just corn, soybeans, green beans, and carrots that I use for EVERYTHING. We also keep a huge stash of frozen green beans in the freezer too. I just toss a cupful into each portioned meal and the veggie is handled.</p> <p>Oh and mashed/cooked potatoes freeze fine - its raw potatoes that get gross when you freeze and reheat them. One tip my mom taught me was to bake a huge sack of potatoes or sweet potatoes at once by scrubbing them and throwing them into a Reynold's turkey bags. 300 degrees for 2-3 hours and you can get a HUGE amount done in one sitting. And cooked rice freezes beautifully.</p> <p>Here's my menu plan, which should at some point include soups/stews, but its too hot to think about right now:</p> <p>- Crockpot chicken and stuffing packaged with frozen veg.</p> <p>- Chicken and dumplings (using almond milk and Bisquick for dumplings). Will put lots of veggies in the chicken/gravy and serve with salad.</p> <p>- Crockpot pulled pork (pork shoulder, onion powder, salt and pepper, bay leaf, Worchestershire sauce). Half will be mixed with BBQ sauce after cooking to have for BBQ sandwiches. Half will be plain to use as carnitas in tacos/burritos. Can also do this with chicken. Package into 1lb. portions to thaw and reheat.</p> <p>- Crockpot shredded beef (Chuck roast and a jar of pepperoncini peppers). Use half for Italian beef sandwiches, the other half can be tossed with cumin or taco seasoning for Mexican food. Package into 1lb. portions to thaw and reheat.</p> <p>- Beef or turkey meatloaf with ketchup glaze. I'm just going to press all the meat into disposable 9x13 cake pans and basically make a meat sheet cake and serve it in squares! Will package with mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes with mixed veggies.</p> <p>- Chicken tikka masala with coconut milk base. I usually stretch this with garbanzo beans and serve with basmati rice. Will serve with salad for veg.</p> <p>- Red beans and rice with smoked sausage and/or jambalaya. Will add lots of veg to the sauce and serve with salad.</p> <p>- Crockpot meat sauce base (ground beef, green bell pepper, onions, garlic, tomato sauce/paste, diced tomatoes). Use half to make spaghetti sauce (just stir in some Italian seasoning, wine, sugar, etc). Add chili seasoning and beans to the remaining half to make chili.</p> <p>- White chicken chili. If I'm smart, I'll make some Jiffy cornbread muffins and freeze a bag of those at the same time I make this so all I need is a salad.</p> <p>- Stuffed pepper skillet. Just cook up some ground beef, cooked rice, a jar of spaghetti sauce, and chopped onions and peppers (or just use frozen!) Can make vegetarian or stretch with lentils or beans. </p> <p>- I make a dairy-free lasagna/ravioli casserole using frozen potato/onion pierogies or tofu ravioli and it works great! I just layer everything with marinara, Italian sausage or ground meat, veggies, etc. like a lasagna and just bake.</p> <p>- I also keep frozen fish sticks (Costco sells really nice cod filet sticks) to keep on hand to bake off and make easy fish tacos! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/freezermake-ahead-meal-ideas-needed#post-1665605 Thu, 29 May 2014 12:41:12 +0000 Beebug 1665605@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@coopsmama: funny we just had one of our shepherds pies from the freezer last night. I did make a comment about the potatoes, but DH couldn't get enough. I don't know of my comment was me being critical, the non dairyness, or the freezer! It was good, I was just being critical of "my work", lol. Depends how potato picky you are I guess? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/freezermake-ahead-meal-ideas-needed#post-1665505 Thu, 29 May 2014 12:15:47 +0000 coopsmama 1665505@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bushelandapeck: I was inspired by another mom friend who had 30 ready to go as well. I had about 10 meals prepared last time which was wonderful but I'm nervous about having a toddler and newborn -- best to just err on the side of having too "many" prepared! :) plus, not having to cook for a month sounds wonderful! </p> <p>@grizz: Thank you so much! The fact that it is crock pot friendly is a HUGE perk to me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/freezermake-ahead-meal-ideas-needed#post-1665499 Thu, 29 May 2014 12:13:44 +0000 Boheme 1665499@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@coopsmama: It's my mom's, so I'll type it up and send it to you :) It's soooooo yummy, and easy! Very crock pot friendly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/freezermake-ahead-meal-ideas-needed#post-1665484 Thu, 29 May 2014 12:06:51 +0000 bushelandapeck 1665484@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@coopsmama: you are inspiring me to do the same to prep for #2! It would be do nice to have that many meals already prepared! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/freezermake-ahead-meal-ideas-needed#post-1665426 Thu, 29 May 2014 11:43:46 +0000 coopsmama 1665426@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bushelandapeck: Thanks for the website suggestion! I'm going to check that out. </p> <p>@grizz: That's a great idea. I've never actually made my own spaghetti sauce -- I tend to keep a jar on hand and use it when I have nothing else going on but the jarred variety is not very good. Do you have a recommended recipe?</p> <p>@Aandmklover: Meat loaf! I hadn't thought of that. </p> <p>@Beebug: Do you find that potatoes freeze okay then? I've been told that they don't but Shepherd's pie and mashed potatoes would be wonderful to have on hand. </p> <p>@cheert16: Thanks for the links and thoughts! The last link is full of some great ideas!!</p> <p>@matador84: Oh stuffed shells would be great for a fast meal for my husband to take to work. Love it.</p> <p>@looch: I hadn't thought of fish because we don't have it often but we do like it! I think I'll pick up some salmon and shrimp here in the next couple weeks to have on hand.</p> <p>Thanks for the thoughts! :) I'm feeling a bit more inspired. I have 2 meals in the freezer today and about 28 to go - trying to make a month's worth! #3 should be in the freezer by end of day! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/freezermake-ahead-meal-ideas-needed#post-1663132 Wed, 28 May 2014 14:34:22 +0000 looch 1663132@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What if you just did more protein prepping, like cooking a large batch of ground beef, chicken, etc and then not seasoning it? </p> <p>Do you eat any fish/shellfish? I like to keep a bag of frozen shrimp on hand pretty much at all times and I have salmon filets frozen in the freezer, all prepped and ready to go (with pesto, for example). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/freezermake-ahead-meal-ideas-needed#post-1663128 Wed, 28 May 2014 14:33:19 +0000 matador84 1663128@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Shredded beef, spaghetti sauce, lasagna...without cheese, or maybe stuffed shells, soups </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/freezermake-ahead-meal-ideas-needed#post-1663102 Wed, 28 May 2014 14:24:34 +0000 cheert16 1663102@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Taco meat- cook and then freeze- just need to heat up to serve.<br /> Chicken Noodle soup freezes well.<br /> I did some freeze meals that I prepped and all I had to do was defrost overnight and throw them in the crock pot.<br /> <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2013/07/freezer-cooking/" rel="nofollow">http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2013/07/freezer-cooking/</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2013/08/50-easy-freezer-meals.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2013/08/50-easy-freezer-meals.html</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/freezermake-ahead-meal-ideas-needed#post-1663098 Wed, 28 May 2014 14:23:42 +0000 Beebug 1663098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Shepherds Pie!</p> <p>Dairy free mashed potatoes = boil potatoes down in chicken broth, and mash! I like them that way and don't even have dairy restrictions!</p> <p>Chicken Taco's. Just had this last night, chicken, salsa, taco mix, anything else (beans, etc) you like in taco's. All in a freezer bag! Defrost a day in advance and dump in crockpot! We sliced peppers and lettuce day of, shredded cheese too of course, but not necessary! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/freezermake-ahead-meal-ideas-needed#post-1663095 Wed, 28 May 2014 14:22:16 +0000 Aandmklover 1663095@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Meat loaf<br /> Pasta sauce (I make homemade and add lots of veggies and meat then have some frozen Texas toast too)<br /> Shepard's pie</p> <p>Those are some of my favs to freeze. :-) congrats on #2 we are looking into a second fridge to do the same thing when our #2 in August. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/freezermake-ahead-meal-ideas-needed#post-1663084 Wed, 28 May 2014 14:18:43 +0000 Boheme 1663084@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I made lots of a really hearty spaghetti sauce. That way I just had to heat it up and throw it over some pasta or spaghetti squash! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/freezermake-ahead-meal-ideas-needed#post-1663076 Wed, 28 May 2014 14:16:14 +0000 bushelandapeck 1663076@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Try this website and check out the dairy free options. I have a dairy allergy so I know how challenging it can be to find decent recipes! :)</p> <p><a href="http://onceamonthmeals.com/menus/gluten-free-dairy-free/" rel="nofollow">http://onceamonthmeals.com/menus/gluten-free-dairy-free/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/freezermake-ahead-meal-ideas-needed#post-1663053 Wed, 28 May 2014 14:11:06 +0000 coopsmama 1663053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been really overwhelmed lately at the thought of having a 12 month old and a newborn and trying to keep up on the home front since DH will go back to work pretty much right away after our DD is born. I've got about 5 weeks (give or take a few) left to get meals in the freezer and this is what I've got on my list so far:</p> <p>Chicken pot pie<br /> Sloppy joes<br /> Chili<br /> Black bean soup<br /> Meatballs<br /> Santa Fe Chicken (ready to pop in crockpot)<br /> 2 whole chickens (shred meat and freeze)<br /> Calzones </p> <p>And I need more ideas! I'm trying to get a month's worth in the freezer. I have lots of ideas on the breakfast front and we utilize leftovers as lunch, so that's not a concern. </p> <p>The one problem is - I can't have cheese or any dairy outside of butter! A lot of the recipes I see online call for lots of cheese or dairy. Does anyone have any great ideas? :) </p>