This is going to be a big freezer cooking weekend for me. With hubs and kids home this past week for spring break my freezer (and pantry) is down to slim pickings.
I thought it would be helpful to you (and me) to write down my freezer cooking strategy for this weekend. That way you can see what goes into a large freezer session and I have something to refer, keep me focused, and more importantly hold me accountable.
Let’s get started because I have lots of work to do.
Freezer Recipes
Obviously, before I get going with cooking I need to figure out the recipes I am going to prepare. This usually takes me a few days because I hardly ever get a solid block of time to work on it. Mostly, I am looking through cookbooks and finding recipes during my lunch break and when the kiddos go to sleep.
Anyway, my goal for this weekend is to get these recipes prepared. Some of them are new recipes (yikes) so that is why there are no links. If they turn out the way I want them to I will share. Please note I do not recommend trying a new recipe if you are a beginner freezer cook.
Ham, Mushroom, and Swiss Breakfast Burritos.
Spinach and Feta Breakfast Bagels.
Pancakes
Banana Bread
Black Bean, Beef, and Bulgur Taco Mix (double batch).
Frozen Pizzas (2 large and 8 individuals)
Chicken Enchiladas
Spinach and Feta Stuffed Shells
Macaroni and Cheese (double batch)
Freezer Meal Starters. In addition to the freezer recipes I am only going to make brown rice and breaded chicken meal starters.
Freezer Cooking Plan of Action
I made my grocery list yesterday and then did all my grocery shopping last night so this morning I am ready to get started.
Here is my refrigerator currently stuffed to the brim.
Freezer Cooking Day
The only glitch is that I will be with my girls at dance class until around 2:00pm. Therefore, most of the freezer cooking will begin using my slow cooker, rice cooker, and bread machine. The rest will happen after 2:00pm and then tomorrow.
Here is the plan:
- Start the slow cooker Mexican shredded chicken first thing in the morning. This chicken will be used for the enchiladas and quesadillas.
- Start a large batch of brown rice in the rice cooker. Part of this will be used for the chicken fried rice freezer recipe and the rest will be portioned out and put in the freezer.
- Start pizza dough in the bread machine.
This can all be done before we leave for dance class.
- After we get back start another batch of pizza dough.
- Pound out, bread and bake up rest of the chicken. 4 pieces will be used for chicken parmesan freezer meal and the rest will be used for meal starters.
- On the stove get going the taco mix, clam sauce, and chicken sausage for pizza. I will need all 4 burners because I will need to cook up some bulgur for the taco mix.
- Make pizza sauce and sauce for chicken parmesan and stuffed shells.
- Assemble meals and freeze.
This part I am guessing will take around an two hours or so then I will clean up a bit and take a small break before I finish with my freezer cooking session for the day.
- Prepare the breakfast burritos and bagel sandwiches.
- Assemble the chicken enchiladas and chicken quesadilla kits.
My plan is to be done around 5:30pm so I can go to my parents for dinner 
If you haven’t noticed I am trying to get all my meat cooked and prepared today. This way I can focus on baking and meatless dishes tomorrow.
So that is the plan. I will keep you updated through the SMK facebook page to let you know how it is going.
What about you? Do you have any freezer cooking plans this weekend?
This is great. I just had some friends email me about what to freezer cook, I’ll send you link/plan!
Yes please do! I would love to see it.
Making bran muffins (first time I’ve made them – but it’s my Grandpa’s recipe, so I know it’s good), buttermilk herb chicken, Apricot Glazed chicken and pork chops (can’t remember what they have on them). Busy summer coming up and trying to get ahead. But first, I need to drink this coffee.
That all sounds awesome!!! Yes I need coffee first too!
I cooked ahead 4 different dishes on Monday (the kind you prep for the oven, or where you brown meat on the stove before putting it together in a tray to oven cook with veg/sauce). It was exhausting! I think it was enough for about 24 portions (around 8 sit-down family dinners). How many portions/components of food do you think you should make at one time, to make freezer cooking worthwhile?
does your husband help you with any of this? You sure do cook a lot..