Freezer meals can take on extra variety when you prepare components that can be mixed and matched in different ways.
Traditionally, freezer meals were just a stack of casseroles in the freezer. Kind of like a stack of TV dinners, freezer meals were considered “complete”. That was part of the convenience package.
I love casseroles. Don’t get me wrong. Next week, I’m going to be cooking up a huge batch of casseroles and one-dish dinners to take us into the holiday season.
I’ve discovered that meal components allow for extra variety in the freezer. Wondering how?
Four pounds of seasoned taco meat can diversify into any number of delicious meals:
- tacos
- burritos
- Mexican omelets
- rice bowls
- chili
- stuffed potatoes
- nachos
By prepping a bunch of taco meat at one time, I’ve done the heavy lifting for several similar, but different meals in the weeks to come. The same can be said for cooked or marinated chicken, pulled pork, shredded beef, and meatballs. These proteins are easily prepared in bulk and then frozen. At serving, they can take on different personalities depending on what you add.
31 Days of Freezer Cooking
For more ideas about how to make freezer cooking work for you, follow along with us here in October as I post 31 Days of Freezer Cooking. You can see past posts here.
For even more Freezer Cooking how-to’s you can also buy my book, Not Your Mother’s Make-Ahead and Freeze Cookbook.
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I love doing it this way. It has revolutionized what a quick supper means. It is so nice to come home from the kids’ activites or running late home from church and have a wide variety of things that can be a good complete meal in minutes.. I also like to prebag washed and cut veggies. This works for grapes and cheese chunks as well. This morning we had cinnamon rolls and I froze one pan to be able to thawand eat at another time.
Thank you for all your helpful advice.
This is one thing I consistently do. I started OAMC back 15 years ago, 1st day did all the meats, the next day prepared all the meals. When I quit doing OAMC I kept with making large batches of meats. I actually don’t mind cooking on a daily basis but it cuts my excuses down considerably on busy days if I can grab that bag of ground turkey and get to it. Thanks to you my freezer at least usually has meat, beans, and broth–yep, looks funny in there but a lot can be done with those 3 items. 😉
I just did this with meatballs tonight! I baked enough for 2 meals- froze the second meal for another day. If I’m going to get my hands all gross, I might as well only do it once!!
@Kelly, exactly!
hello! I am not a meal planner like you, although you have totally inspired me! I read all of your posts tonight while my daughter was at soccer practice!
I am also doing the 31 Days Series, “31 Days to A Less Stressed Nest”, my post tonight (for tomorrow) that I am writing is about meal planning and I have featured
your series! Meal Planning could definitely help with stress. 🙂 Thanks for your great series!
@Meaningful Nest, can’t wait to hear how your adventures in meal planning go!