Last week while The Girl was here we made a bunch of freezer meals so she could stash away a bunch of homemade meals in her freezer for nights when she was short on time, or didn’t feel like cooking this fall.
And while I’ve been whipping up freezer meals in the kitchen for years now, this was her first time putting them together and she had so much fun, she wants to do it again.
We’ve already made plans to get together again at the end of the month and make another batch of freezer meals. I think her plan is to basically take the next two months off from thinking about what’s for dinner {and lunch the next day!}.
This kid! She’s a smart one. 🙂
Here’s a list of all the freezer meals {and treats} I helped her make.
Freezer Meals
- 3 Meatloaves
- 4 Sweet and Sour Meatballs and Rice
- 2 Chicken Pot Pies
- 2 Tuna Casseroles
- 2 Drunken Beans
Links to the foil freezer pans I tend to use for reheating meals in the oven:
- Aluminum Foil Pan Containers with Lids 8.5″ x 6″ x 3″
- Aluminum Foil Deep Pans 9″ x 13″
- Round 9 Inch Aluminum Foil Pans with lids
Freezer Meal Soups
- {2} 32 ounce containers of Panera Copy Tomato Soup
- {2} 32 ounce containers of Chicken Soup
- {2} 32 ounce containers of 8 Can Taco Soup
- {2} 32 ounce containers of Beef and Potato Soup
I like the Stack Man brand of deli containers for freezing soups as they are durable and reusable.
Freezer Meal Breakfast Muffins
Frozen Cookie Dough
Frozen Desserts
How to Freeze Fruit Pies {coming soon}
While it was a lot of work, we managed to put everything together in just under 7 hours. SEVEN HOURS!!! If you can print out a few recipes and carve out a half a day to work in the kitchen, it ends up being such a money saver in the long run and makes life so much easier on those nights you just don’t feel like making something from scratch.
We had fun, and I think after getting another freezer meal session under her belt, she’ll be ready to do this on her own.
Prioritizing your time, it takes a little effort, but the payoff can be huge.
How about you? Are you a fan of freezer meals? I think I might have to make a few for myself this weekend. 😉
Have a great day everyone,
~Mavis
Want to try your hand at a few freezer meals but don’t know where to start? I have a post about My Favorite Freezer Meal Tips for Beginners and it’s packed full with all sorts of hang information. You can find it HERE.
Kim says
The Girl has a pretty smart mom!
Off topic: we are enjoying our vacation in Maine. Heading to Bar Harbor today. Don’t know how we will bear going back to 90 degree temps and congested traffic with discourteous drivers. We can see why you enjoy Maine so much, Mavis.
Mavis Butterfield says
Today is Wednesday! If you will be anywhere near the town of Brooksville this morning check out Tinder Hearth Bakery. It’s open from 9-1 today and their bread and pastries are the best! https://www.tinderhearth.com/
Ashley Bananas says
Sounds lovely. I wish I had more days at home to do this!
Julie says
I’m just starting to do this. My last child leaves for college on Friday, so I’ve been making his favorites and putting the extra in the freezer in portions for two. Normally we eat leftovers, but he wanted so many meals for “the last time” I’ve been cooking every day.
Mavis Butterfield says
That is very sweet Julie. 🙂
Kania says
I love freezer meals! I used to visit my mom in another state for around 6 weeks at a time and would always have freezer meals for my husband and son while I was away for when they didn’t feel like or didn’t have time to cook. Now I think I need to make a few just to have on hand.
Lana says
Now that we are empty nesters we just freeze extras of most of what we make so our freezer stays stocked without a big cooking day. My meat sauce recipe that I cooked for a family of seven feed us eight times! It doesn’t take long to be well supplied this way.
Bea says
I want to be adopted!
You and the girl have a wonderful relationship. So many good times together.
I’ve used many of your recipes and suggestions. Thank you.
Jennifer says
When our kids were younger, I would have mini-sessions and put away a few meals, usually 3 recipes doubled or tripled. Now, when we have something more exciting than soup or sandwiches, I’ll double the recipe. Also, anything I cook now, is enough for leftovers the next night. No need to cook both nights if I don’t have to.
Linda Practical Parsimony says
I need to do that, so much. I cannot stand long enough to have the energy or mind to cook. But, I do prepare several meals at once, and have a meal, leftovers for later, and one frozen meals. It works. I showed this to Tommy and suggested we do this. He would not be as helpful as a teenage girl as he does not cook, plus he has to use a walker.
Did you cook the meatloaves before freezing?
Mavis Butterfield says
No. I do not cook the meatloaves first. Once they are frozen though, I thaw it overnight in the fridge before cooking.
Mel says
I’ve been known to freezer cook. 😉 I’m not used to doing it after the school year has started, but I had to work this summer. It’s much easier to do when I’m home for the summer just because so many things I freeze require long amounts of time to simmer. Even if that time is hands off, it’s often more than I can manage on a school night. My goal is 90 meals by the end of September, and I’m up to about 68, so it’s still going well even with the time crunch. I’m debating whether or not I want to try to tackle the last of them this weekend or continue to spread it out. Fridge space (to cool everything before freezing) will be an issue though.
Mavis Butterfield says
Go Mel Go!
Mel says
Our grocery store has thrown in the added challenge of changing their hours, so that further motivates me to finish freezing stuff so I don’t have to shop every week. Very very tempted to just cook all weekend to be done with it.
Mavis Butterfield says
That’s what I would do. You’ll feel so much better when it’s all done and you’re good until February.
Mel says
Well, that was the plan, but then we had another family emergency (odd pattern this year of the crazy not stopping long enough for me to prepare for the next stretch of crazy).
Maybe next weekend.
DotRot says
You might want to check out the Webstaurant Store for your plastic containers. I buy them often. It’s $6.49 for 24 of them. (https://www.webstaurantstore.com/choicehd-32-oz-microwavable-translucent-plastic-deli-container-pack/999HD32BULK.html)
Check out everything they have to offer. They’re mainly focused on commercial entities, but the average consumer can do well there too.
Gigi says
How well does the Apple crumb topping stay on while frozen? Do you pack it in, sprinkle more on later? I’ve frozen berry crisps but in a baking dish without the crust. But I was wondering about the mounding.
Mavis Butterfield says
I pack it on, wrap with plastic wrap and then pop it in a zip baggie and freeze.
Marcia says
I don’t remember how old “the girl” is, but I’m guessing early 20’s? I think this is a GREAT thing that you did for her. Man, I didn’t REALLY learn to cook until my early 30’s. I could have saved SO MUCH MONEY with this technique…especially in my 20’s when I was working full time, going to grad school at night, and playing volleyball on weekends and on other nights.
Tammy says
That’s awesome! I only have the freezer above my fridge, but I know I can utilize it better than I have been.
I’ve been canning this summer, trying to build my food stash that way. I’m up to 160 jars, and I have tomatoes to make enchilada sauce later on today. Yesterday I made the pickled red onions you posted a recipe for and they turned out delicious! I substituted red wine vinegar for cider vinegar and they are the prettiest color ever!
Peggy says
Rather than do all the cooking ahead, I like to make a recipe for one of our meals and then freeze all the extra for future meals.
Always looking for new ideas, so thanks for these!