How to Freezer Cook – Sample Menu and Getting Started
How to Freezer Cook – Sample Menu and Getting Started. As you know we practice monthly menu planning so taking the idea of monthly menu planning to freezer cooking/once a month cooking is not a huge change. What it means is that you will spend 1 full day cooking and prepare 20 meals so that your family has dinner “ready” and all you have to do is put your meal in the oven or on the grill and dinner is served!
How to Freezer Cook – Sample Menu and Getting Started:
There are a couple of ways to go at the process. You can double your recipes or even triple them and repeat the same dish multiple times in the month. You can prepare a large quantity of meats/vegetables and use them in a variety of dishes. We suggest that you look at the recipes that your family likes to eat and what would freeze well (not mayonnaise or sour cream-based foods).
Of course, in order to do this, you do need freezer space and we suggest a food saver (or freezer bags). It is also very important to label and date your food before placing it into the freezer.
In order to be successful, you need to be organized, shop one day, prep/cook another. Another tip is to start out small. Try 1-2 weeks the first time and then gradually increase to a month.
Here is a sample plan for 20 Freezer Meals:
Meatloaf ala Stockpiling Mom – Double
Homemade Marinara – Triple
Pumpkin Pancakes – Triple
Christa’s Chicken Casserole – Double
Christa’s Lasagna Squares – Double
Impossibly Easy Vegetable Pie – Double
Pineapple Chicken – Triple
Country Bob’s World-Famous Burgers – Tripled
Most importantly have fun! This truly needs to be a day that you devote to cooking all day. Clean up as you go (and ask for help). Crank up your favorite music and though it is a lot of work, just think about the benefits as you will have dinner prepared for the next month!
If you are new to the concept of monthly menu planning this post will help you get started:
Tips for Monthly Menu Planning
If you are new (or even experienced) to freezer cooking you may enjoy these posts:
How to Freezer Cook Series – Part 1 – Sample Menu and Getting Started
How to Freezer Cook Series – Part 2 – Why Does Freezer Cooking Work
How to Freezer Cook Series – Part 3 – Planning Your Meals
How to Freezer Cook Series – Part 4 – Tips and Tricks for Freezer Efficiency
How to Freezer Cook Series – Part 5 – What Can You Freeze?
How to Freezer Cook Series – Part 6 – Freezer Storage
How to Freezer Cook Series – Part 7 – Tips for Thawing Your Meals
How to Freezer Cook Series – Part 8 – Make Your Own Freezer Pancakes
Melissa is a football and soccer mom who has been married to her best friend for 24 years. She loves sharing recipes, travel reviews and tips that focus on helping busy families make memories.
What ones do you bake than freeze? Or just leave them “raw”?
I freeze them all uncooked – then thaw and bake/grill.
My wife and I are looking for better ways to eat healthier as we adjust to life with a new baby. I stumbled across your site and found my way to this article. The links to the recipes included here don’t work anymore. Can you see about fixing them, or providing a sample meal plan with more current recipes?
I have updated the links. Thanks so much for catching that! Check out this meal plan. It is awesome!
https://www.stockpilingmoms.com/2016/06/20-slow-cooker-freezer-meals-in-4-hours/