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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