Post your favorite make ahead and freeze meal

[almostamom]

Most of mine have been mentioned, but here's my list:

Turkey or chicken soup - just add dumplings after thawing
Lentil Soup
Squash Soup
Lasagna
Eggplant Parmesan
Beef Stew
Hobo Stew
Chicken Chili
Beef Stroganoff - thaw and serve on top of egg noodles
Taco Meat - usually leftover beef from pot roast that's shredded and seasoned
Tomato Sauce and Meatballs
Chicken, Artichoke, Rice Casserole
Shredded Pork w/ barbecue sauce (leftovers from Cranberry Pork Roast)
Chili Colorado (this is a time intesive yet easy recipe, so I double it and freeze half. It's really not chili though - it's served in a tortilla)

I also try to have shredded, cooked chicken or turkey in the freezer at all times. It makes other recipes much easier to prep at dinnertime.

[urquie]

Chicken, Artichoke, Rice Casserole
Cranberry Pork Roast
Chili Colorado

I also try to have shredded, cooked chicken or turkey in the freezer at all times.

would you be willing to share some of these recipes? also, what's your preferred method to cook chicken for shredding?

[tylersmama]

I like to poach chicken for shredding. I dump it in a pot with whatever I have...chicken broth, white wine, water for the liquid, onion, garlic, peppercorns, sometimes bay leaf, butter, whatever. Simmer it until cooked through and then let it cool before shredding. It always comes out really moist this way.

[o_mom]

Yum! Thank you!

YW!

I edited that post to clarify that it was either 20-24 manicotti OR 50-55 jumbo shells, not both. And the amounts given for the filling are a single batch - you would double it (32 oz ricotta) to get that many.

[almostamom]

would you be willing to share some of these recipes? also, what's your preferred method to cook chicken for shredding?

DH and I have a thing about chicken and turkey. We only like it shredded, never cubed or diced. I don't know why. I find it easiest to shred beef or pork that's been cooked in the slow cooker, but I have never liked the way chicken tastes after being in a slow cooker, so I poach it. I usually just do chicken with water or broth (if I have it) and a sliced onion.

Cranberry Pork Roast

3 to 3 1/2 lb boneless pork roast
16 oz can of whole cranberry sauce
1/2 cup cranberry juice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon dry mustard (I eliminate this now because of DS' allergy)

Put pork roast into the crock-pot.
Mix all other ingredients together and pour over the meat.
Cook on high power for 6 hours.
Shred left over pork and mix with your favorite bbq sauce for pulled pork sandwiches the next day or freeze for later use.


Chicken, Artichoke, and Rice Casserole

1/2 cup uncooked regular long-grain white rice
1 cup water
1/2 cup uncooked wild rice
1 1/4 cups water
2 slices bacon
1 T butter
2 cups julienne cut carrots (I just chop baby carrots)
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/3 cup chopped green onions
2 (10 3/4) oz cans condensed cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup dry sherry
2 1/2 cups shredded chicken
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 or 2 cans artichoke hearts, drained and quartered (or 1 box frozen)
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tsp dried parsley flakes

Cook white rice in 1 cup water and wild rice in 1 1/4 cup water as directed on packages.
Grease 13 X 9 baking dish.
Cook bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towel and crumble. Set aside.
Melt butter in a large skillet over med-high heat.
Add carrots, bell pepper, and green onions to skillet and stir until crisp-tender.
Stir in soup, milk, sherry, chicken, mozzarella, and bacon. Mix well. Remove from heat.
Combine white and wild rice. Spread evenly on bottom of baking dish.
Arrange artichoke hearts over rice.
Spoon mixture from skillet over artichoke hearts.
Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and parsley flakes.
Cover tightly with foil or lid to baking dish.

If cooking immediately, bake covered at 350 for 45 min., uncover and bake an additional 15-20 minutes.
If frozen, do not thaw. Bake covered at 350 for 1 hour and 35 min. Uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes.


Chili Colorado
I don't know how this got it's name - to me it's not a chili and it's not spicy at all.

3 lbs boneless pork butt cut into stew size pieces (this takes me a while because I cut most of the fat off)
2 T vegetable oil
1 large onion chopped
2 cloves garlic chopped
6 tsp chili powder
1 1/2 tsp oregano
1 1/2 cups water
1 small can tomato paste
1 tsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup whipping cream

In a very large frying pan (I usually use my big pot), heat oil. Add meat and brown slightly. Remove meat.
Add more oil, if necessary, fry onion until almost translucent and add garlic.
Add all other ingredients except cream and mix.
Return meat to the pan.
Cook on low for 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
Add whipping cream just before serving.

I freeze this in gallon size ziploc bags.

Serve burrito-style in warmed tortillas with cilantro, shredded cheese, sour cream, lime, avocado, etc.

I hope you enjoy them!

Linda

[Nyfeara]

We always make a giant batch of meatballs, cook them, let them cool, and then freeze them. When we want to have meatball parm subs or spaghetti, we just toss a few in the sauce and let them thaw & warm up there. So much easier than having to make them each time we wanted them.

Think I'm going to try some of these other recipes as well - thanks!

[daisymommy]

SASM~ Can I have the recipe for the shrimp picante? It sounds just like a dish my mom used to make, that I just loved. Now she says she doesn't remember the recipe

[kellyd]

Pampered Chef has some new make ahead meals. I haven't tried them yet, but you make the beef ahead, then can add your extra ingredients to each beef or turkey recipe. When you're ready to use, defrost, add one or two more ingredients and voila. (Obviously these instructions call for PC tools but you can get by without them) There are a bunch with chicken as well. I'll see if I can find them.

Make Ahead Ground Beef
{Yields enough beef for 3 meals}

3 medium onions
3 lb lean ground beef or ground turkey
3 garlic cloves, pressed

1. Chop onions using Food Chopper.
2. Place onions, beef and garlic pressed with Garlic Press into (12-in.) Skillet. Cook over medium-high heat 15-18 minutes or until beef is no longer pink, breaking into crumbles using Mix ‘N Chop.
3. Divide beef mixture into three portions.


Barbecue Beef Sloppy Joes

1. Prepare and freeze
To one portion of Make-Ahead Ground Beef, add:
1 cup ketchup
2 tbsp Smoky Barbecue Rub
2 tsp cider vinegar
Combine in large resealable plastic bag. Freeze for up to three months.

2. Defrost
Microwave packet on DEFROST (30% power) 8-10 minutes or until softened. Pour into (10-in.) Skillet and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
(If cooking immediately, combine ingredients in (10-in.) Skillet and bring to a simmer over medium heat.)

3. Finish and serve!
• Divide beef mixture among 6 hamburger buns.
• Top with coleslaw, shredded cheese, shredded lettuce or sliced green onions, if desired.

Yield: 6 servings

Beef Stroganoff

1. Prepare and freeze
To one portion of Make-Ahead Ground Beef, add:
8 oz sliced mushrooms
1 can (10¾ oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
¼ cup water
1 tsp ground paprika
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp coarsely ground black pepper
Combine in large resealable plastic bag. Freeze for up to three months.

2. Defrost
Microwave packet on DEFROST (30% power) 8-10 minutes or until softened. Pour into (10-in.) Skillet and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
(If cooking immediately, combine ingredients in (10-in.) Skillet and bring to a simmer over medium heat.)

3. Finish and serve!
• Stir 8 oz sour cream into beef mixture.
• Cook 1 lb egg noodles; drain. Toss with ¼ cup snipped fresh parsley and 2 tbsp melted butter.
• Spoon stroganoff over noodles and sprinkle with additional paprika and parsley, if desired.

Yield: 6 servings

Zesty Beef Tacos
1. Prepare and freeze
To one portion of Make-Ahead Ground Beef, add:
1 cup chunky salsa
1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
¾ cup water
1 pkt (1 oz) taco seasoning mix
Combine in large resealable plastic bag. Freeze for up to three months.

2. Defrost
Microwave packet on DEFROST (30% power) 8-10 minutes
or until softened. Pour into (10-in.) Skillet and bring to
a simmer over medium heat.
(If cooking immediately, combine ingredients in (10-in.) Skillet and bring to a simmer over medium heat.)

3. Finish and serve!
• Arrange 12 taco shells on serving platter.
• Fill with beef mixture, ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1 cup shredded lettuce and 2 seeded and diced
plum tomatoes.
• Garnish with snipped fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges, if desired.

Yield: 6 servings

Italian Beef Hoagies
1. Prepare and freeze
To one portion of Make-Ahead Ground Beef, add:
1 each green and red bell pepper, sliced
¼ cup water
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 pkt (1 oz) onion soup mix
1 tbsp Italian Seasoning Mix
Combine in large resealable plastic bag. Freeze for up to three months.

2. Defrost
Microwave packet on DEFROST (30% power) 8-10 minutes or until softened. Pour into (10-in.) Skillet and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
(If cooking immediately, combine ingredients in (10-in. Skillet) and bring to a simmer over medium heat.)

3. Finish and serve!
• Sprinkle 1 cup (4 oz) shredded Provolone cheese over beef mixture.
• Cover with lid and simmer 1-2 minutes or until cheese is melted.
• Spoon into 6 warm hoagie rolls.

Yield: 6 servings
Saucy Beef Chili

1. Prepare and freeze
To one portion of Make-Ahead Ground Beef, add:
1 can (16 oz) chili beans in sauce, undrained
1 can (14.5 oz) petite diced tomatoes, undrained
1½ cups water
1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
1 pkt (1.48 oz) chili seasoning mix
Combine in large resealable plastic bag. Freeze for up to three months.

2. Defrost
Microwave packet on DEFROST (30% power) 8-10 minutes or until softened. Pour into (10-in.) Skillet and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
(If cooking immediately, combine ingredients in (10-in.) Skillet and bring to a simmer over medium heat.)

3. Finish and serve!
• Spoon chili into bowls.
• Top with shredded cheddar cheese, sliced green onions or sour cream, if desired.

Yield: 6 servings

[daisymommy]

Not sure if any of these are repeats...

Chicken Caccitore
Chicken Pot-Pie (the filling)
Chicken Parmesan
Saucy BBQ Chicken
Mexican Pulled Chicken
Hamburger patties
Sloppy Joe filling
BBQ Pulled Pork
Mexican Shredded Beef
Mexicali Casserole
Chicken Soup (freeze without the noodles)
Country Chicken and Noodle Bake
Chicken breasts and steak frozen in marinade to go on the grill.
Stuffed Bell Peppers (the filling)

I am so hungry now!