If you find yourself swinging through the drive-thru or reaching for the phone to order carry-out for dinner because you can't find the time to cook each night, consider preparing several entrees at once on the weekend and freezing them for quick reheating on those busy weeknights. With a bit of planning and preparation, you can stock your freezer with healthy and filling meals for your whole family in just a few hours.
Step 1
Look through your recipes or cookbooks for entrees that will freeze well and select one for each night of the week that you don't want to cook. Casseroles, stews, soups, rice and pasta dishes and meat loafs all freeze well.
Step 2
Make a list of all the ingredients you'll need, and purchase everything at once to save yourself time. At home, chop and prepare the ingredients according to the recipe directions. If you plan to make more than one recipe, plan on shopping and prepping on one day and cooking on the next.
Step 3
Cook each dish as directed in the recipe. For casseroles, simply mix the ingredients as directed in the casserole dish and freeze raw. Add 20 or 30 minutes to the original recipe cooking time when reheating. Under-cook rice and pasta dishes by a few minutes to prevent overcooking when you reheat the meals.
Step 4
Allow cooked dishes to cool at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Separate meals into individual servings in microwave-safe containers or leave the food in a freezer-safe casserole dish.
Step 5
Cover each container tightly with a lid or with freezer wrap to preserve moisture. Label each container with the contents, reheating directions, date and "use by" date. Most dishes will keep for one to three months in the freezer.
Step 6
Spread the containers out in the freezer by at least 1 inch to allow for air circulation until the food is completely frozen. After 10 to 12 hours, feel free to stack the containers to create more space in your freezer.
Tips and Warnings
- Store frozen foods at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or lower to prolong the shelf life.
- Cooked eggs, fried foods, cured meats and potatoes do not freeze well.
Things You'll Need
- Freezer-safe containers
- Freezer wrap
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