Assemble the recipe per instructions. Divide into meal-size, freezer-friendly containers.
For casseroles
Assemble the recipe, just until the baking step. Do not bake, but wrap well or secure an airtight cover.
For meatballs and cooked meats
Assemble the recipe per instructions. Divide into meal-size, freezer-friendly containers.
For marinated meats
Assemble the recipe, just until the cooking step. Do not cook, but place the meat and marinade together in a ziptop freezer bag.
For meatloaf
Assemble the recipe, just until the baking step. Do not bake, but wrap the loaf well first in aluminum foil and then place in a ziptop freezer bag.
For quiche and egg bakes
Assemble the recipe, just until the baking step. Do not bake, but wrap well or secure an airtight cover. Be sure that the dish remains level otherwise the unbaked egg mixture will seep out.
For burritos and sandwiches
Chilling the fillings and allow the tortillas/breads/rolls to come to room temperature. Assemble the burritos and wrap each one individually in deli wrap and place in a ziptop freezer bag. You can also reuse the bag in with the tortillas or breads were purchased in.
For all recipes
Label the freezer meal with the date, name of the recipe, and serving instructions. Be sure to include information about cooking times and temps as well as if other ingredients need to be added.
If the ingredients have been heated, such as baked meatballs, meats, or soups, chill the dish well in the refrigerator before placing in the freezer. Otherwise, place the item directly in the freezer, taking care that liquid freezer meals are placed level in the freezer so as not to leak or spill.
To serve:
For best results, thaw the dish completely before baking or reheating. Some freezer meals can be cooked from frozen, but you'll need to extend the cooking time,
Notes
Nutritional values will vary depending on the recipe.Important: Never place hot food in the freezer. It can reach unsafe internal temperatures and cause temperature disruption for surrounding items. Instead, chill it until very cold before freezing. Cooking times for frozen items will vary based on the item and the cooking temp. For best results, most freezer meals are best completely thawed prior to cooking/reheating.