With a new foodie in the family, we anticipate many sleepless nights and experiencing exhaustion at a whole new level… so meals made in advance will definitely help us out. In fact, the entire day and night prior to going into labor, I was in my kitchen preparing meals for our freezer. I still have a few dishes to prepare but a majority has already been done…
Here’s a list of the make ahead and freezer recipes I’ve prepared, with maybe a few more to add in later this week. All the meals are either crockpot/slow cooker, baked to finish in the oven, reheated in the micro or oven, finished on the stovetop within 20 min or less, or grilled to finish. As much as it looks like a lot of food in terms of variety, I made quantities enough for 2-4ish so there will be some leftovers for lunch. Oh, and because we know there will be a flood of people visiting, I made sure there was plenty of food to feed company too – lol. I know, I’m crazy.
Stay tuned as I’ll be posting recipes and pictures for these dishes as we enjoy them starting next week!
Italian Sausage & Mushroom Manicotti
Italian Sausage & Mushroom Lasagna
Chicken Pesto Alfredo Lasagna
Skillet Lasagna
Pesto Chicken Stuffed Shells
Creamy Macaroni & Cheese
Buffalo Chicken Macaroni & Cheese
Pasta Milano
BEEF:
Thai Beef Stir Fry
Mongolian Beef Stir Fry
Herb Crusted Chuck Roast
Beer Braised Beef & Onions
BBQ Pot Roast
Stuffed Peppers
Cheesy Italian Meatballs
Beef Empanadas
PORK:
Chile Rubbed Pork Spareribs
Thai Rubbed Pork Spareribs
Breaded Pork Cutlets (Pork Schnitzel)
Smothered Pork Chops
Pork Adobo
Oven Fried Chicken
Roast Chicken with Spring Vegetables, Lemon & Capers
Chicken Canzanese
Moroccan Chicken
Lemon & Oregano Roast Chicken
Mango Jerk Chicken
Roman Style Chicken
Cornflake Chicken Tenders
Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf
Cilantro Lime Chicken
Honey BBQ Chicken Thighs
Sun Dried Tomato, Spinach & Chevre Stuffed Chicken
Chicken & Stuffing Casserole
SEAFOOD:
Baked Shrimp Scampi
Chesapeake Bay Mahi Mah
Asian Grilled Salmon
Cilantro Lime Salmon
SOUPS & SAUCES:
Beef & Lentil Soup
Beef Barley & Vegetable Soup
Cincinnati Skyline Chili
Italian Meat Sauce
SIDES:
Garlic Parmesan Potato Wedges
Home Fries
Honey Butter Corn Cobbettes
Fried Rice
Lemony Dill Rice
Herbed Brown Rice
Summer Peach Muffins
Southwestern Breakfast Burritos
Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Quick Cheese Bread
Cheesy Herb Beer Bread
Wow, that is an amazing list! I can't wait for the recipes…baby #2 is due in August and I want my freezer bursting with meals!
Congrats on your little guy, he is adorable!
Wow, I'm impressed you made all that stuff ahead of time. When I was pregnant the biggest daily accomplishment was to be able to put my pants on! I wish I had all those ready to make meals after my daughter was born. You are a lucky lady!
You were so ready for little Joel! You are awesome Joelen!! Hope you are resting up and enjoying the joys of motherhood!
What a woman! I am so impressed that you made so much before you went into labor! Congratulations on your new little one:)
Wow-this is amazing! You are like super woman. I can't wait to hear the recipes.
Wow, that's amazing! Congrats in advance!
I'm so excited to see your recipes. I have a little one due in July and I'm ready to stock the freezer!
Oh my goodness, you have really outdone yourself! The list looks better than any restaurant menu! Enjoy your time away from the kitchen with your little one and family!
I made freezer meals when I was pregnant, nothing on this scale but a couple. Hubby and my MIL ate half of them before I even got home from the hospital!
Congrats on your little one, he is adorable. I know you are crazy busy but if you ever get the chance (and want to) I would love to see a blog post about how you did all this in one day! The recipes sound great and I can't wait to try them.
OH WOW, i want your freezer
Girl! You are a GODsend!!! Morning sickness is kicking my butt and I've been looking for a bunch of make ahead meals that I can make on a good day(God willing that one comes along soon 😉 ) and this post is perfect! Thanks!
PS: HUGE Congrats!
Wow…that's impressive and inspiring! I'm expecting my first little one in about 6 weeks and cannot wait to start stocking the freezer.
This is AMAZING!!! I wish I had been this prepared with my pregnancy. My SIL is due in a couple of months and not familiar with the kitche-at all. I am definately going to use your tips to help her out!
I'm confused about this but would love to try it. Did you make them all in one day and freeze them all like they do at the food prep places like "Dinner's on the Table"?
KimA – Can you clarify what you are confused about? I made the dishes above (click on the links for recipes) and packaged them up myself to freeze in my freezer before my son was born. I continued to do some freezer meals when life got a little hectic and planned our meals accordingly. I did not make all these recipes in one day – that would quite a feat! The picture above reflects the dishes I prepped over the course of a week or so. Keep in mind the freezer meals are mainly all about ASSEMBLY and not cooking. The dishes are prepped and assembled before freezing – the cooking is done when the meals are defrosted and warmed/heated.
Could I just come pay you to do this for my family of 8? LOL 😉
This is wonderful. I work full time and go to school at night. I can't wait to try some of your recipies on my fmaily. Thank you
I think that this is great! Do you have the recipies for the meals listed above? Would love to do this! katierobinson28@gmail.com
I am also wanting to know where the recipes are for the all the above meals. I am starting to clear out my freezer and make room for more freezer meals. can you email them to me or tell me where I can find them? scrj.baxter.family@gmail.com
Thanks so much!!
Katie Babe & Sherry… here's the link to the recipes plus a whole lot more! https://joelens.blogspot.com/2007/01/freezer-friendlymake-ahead.html
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