I have had 3 friends have babies recently, 1 adoption from China, and now there are a few people who's house has burned down that I would like to give them a good warm meal. By recently I mean in the last two weeks. I made 4 spinach lasagnas and froze them in the metal pans. Now it was super handy to just be able to pull them out, add a pre-made frozen loaf of store bought garlic bread and have a gift for them. I was thinking it would be super great if I could do that and have some stored away to give to people even when major life events didn't happen. Wouldn't you moms love to have somebody just randomly give you a good homemade meal. My sister gave me two big frozen baked ziti, for Christmas last year. I used one when I was sick for two weeks, and one when work was overwhelming. I LOVED IT. Do you have any favorites that I could easily triple or something and freeze. Cheaper would be nice too, since I am not made of money! Here is the Spinach Lasagna that I make. I always search for Americas Test Kitchen recipes when I am looking for something. I love lots of their food. Vegetarian isn't needed. http://www.creative-culinary.com/spinach-lasagna-a-great-vegetarian-option-for-waunstrong-wednesday/
We love chicken pie but I don't use a recipe for it. I make them for us and for my nephew. I freeze his so he can take them home easily. I just cook the chicken and remove the bones and any skin. I cut the chicken up into small chunks or shred it and make gravy from the stock left in the pot the chicken stewed in. Then I either make the crust or use the deep dish store bought ones. I add chicken then gravy (you can add veggies now if you want to) then I add a top crust and crimp the edges together and wrap them up or slide them into freezer bags and freeze them. I forgot to add that it is easier if you let them meat and gravy cool first. You can use the canned mixed veggies if you want or add rice. We like ours best plain with veggies on the side.
Chicken soup, beef stew, spaghetti sauce put noodles in a separate zip lock if cooking in advanced, after tossing them with a few drops of olive or veg oil. Meat loaf and mashed potatoes and green beans. This can be placed together in alarge plastic tub with plastic or foil separating if desired. You can also put up meat loaf uncooked, so it is ready to bake.
I like chicken pie too. We had it just the other day. I didn't think about freezing it. I also like the meat loaf idea too. Do you think it would be better to pre cook it or just send it uncooked?
Here are some of my faves…. Ravioli Lasagna - this one can be frozen after prepared, and defrosted & reheated. Italian Goulash - I freeze this one in a ziploc baggie even! Mama F's Minestrone Pasticio - this is one of my most favorite! Spaghetti Pie - very similar to the Pasticio Philly Cheesesteak Pasta - One of my hubby's faves. Slow-cooker Meatball Stew - I would give this to them all put together and tell them all they have to do is put it in the crockpot and let it cook. Roasted Tomato & Red Pepper Soup - this one freezes really well, add cheesy bread and salad and it's a great meal! Hope these help!!!
Pulled beef is also very easy and freezes well. Put a roast in a slow cooker (or just do it in the oven, at about 325° for several hours. I dowse mine in Worcestershire Sauce. Pull it with two forks when it's done, put it in a freezer bag. Make up a package of au jus and add to the bag. When defrosted, you can use it for sandwiches, or you can serve it over mashed potatoes. Shepherd's Pie also freezes well.
Don't forget many crock pot meals freeze easily in zip lock bags! I have a couple of recipes I freeze here http://www.therubynotebook.com/meal-planning-freezer-cooking/ Chili and spaghetti sauce freezes really well.
You ladies are great!! Thanks for the links and Ideas Krista! I do pulled pork taco's and I hadn't even thought of freezing that. I knew ya'll would be a great source for ideas.
