Freezer Cooking Recipes #1

I have been done some cook ahead and freeze cooking in

the past month and it has been GREAT!!!
The recipes have been great, it has been

so nice to not have to everyday at 4pm make dinner,

and all the meals the family is loving.

I have gotten all of these meals from either

http://onceamonthmom.com/ 

or from

http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/

There are also tons other ones around and

Pinterest has a bunch of great websites to go to

for these as well.

So with some planning and

the right "tools" this can

save you time,money and sanity:)

Ham and Cheese Braid

(from Fabulesslyfrugal.com/)

1 Loaf of Rhodes bread dough(I made my own-cheaper:)

1/4 cup of butter or margarine

1/2 envelope of hidden valley ran mix

3/4 thinly sliced ham(i did half ham and half turkey)

1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 tsp poppy seeds(i did not use)

To prepare for freezing

Roll bread dough out into a rectangular shape. Combine

butter and dressing mix. Spread about half of the butter mixture

on the dough. layer ham and cheese down the center of the

dough. Using a pizza cutter cut strips along the sides of the dough(even

number on each side). Starting at the bottom cross and twist alternating

sides until the whole thing is done. Brush the rest of the butter mixture on top

and top with poppy seeds if using. Wrap in plastic wrap and then wrap in foil

Before cooking: Thaw over night in the refrigerator. 2 hours before

baking remove from foil and plastic wrap and place on

a lined baking sheet and let rise.

Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.

Oriental Chicken

(From: Onceamonthmom.com/)

2 tbps butter/margarine

2 tbps flour

1 cup chicken broth

1 cup water

1 tbps soy sauce

1/2 tsp garlic powder

2 cups of chicken(cooked/chopped)

1/8 tsp black pepper

5 oz of chow mien noodles(you could use rice)

Melt butter and stir in flour until bubbly. Add broth,water

soy sauce,garlic powder,black pepper and chicken simmer for 5 minutes.

Cool and then transfer to 1 gallon freezer bags.

To prepare: thaw over night in the refrigerator

Heat in a pan until warm and bubbly-(if wanted you

could add in veggies at this point). Serve over chow mien noodles

or rice.

Taco Braid

(From:http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/)

1 lb ground beef browned and drained(could use turkey or chicken)

1 package taco seasoning

1 loaf of bread dough

1(15 oz) can refried beans

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Brown ground meat,drain and mix in taco seasoning according

to package directions.

Roll out bread dough, spread with the beans,meat and cheese.

With a pizza cutter cut strips down each side of the dough and

then twist and cross from top to bottom. Wrap in plastic wrap and

the foil and freeze.

To prepare:Thaw over night in the refrigerator and then bake at 350

for 25-30until golden brown.

Low Fat Pizza Pasta Casserole

(makes 2 servings)

2 lbs extra lean ground beef,chicken or turkey(i used half chicken half beef)

1 large onion

2 jars(28 oz) spaghetti sauce

16 oz whole wheat pasta

4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese(i used skim)

6 oz slice pepperoni ( i used turkey)

To prepare for freezer: Brown meat until cooked thoroughly and drain fat.

Mix in onion,pasta and sauce and poor into a greased 9x13 inch

baking dish. Top with cheese and the place pepperoni on top.

 Cover with a lid or foil and freeze once completely cool.

To prepare: thaw over night in the refrigerator

 and the bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes on 350 or

until heated through.

If baking straight from the freezer: bake @ 350 covered with

foil for 30 minutes and then uncovered for 30 minutes.

Baked Eggs

(from:onceamonthmom.com/)

6 slices of bread-cubed, (i used whole wheat)

2 cups of shredded cheese

1 cup of ham( i used half ham/half turkey)

1/4 cup bell pepper-chopped(optional)

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

6 eggs

3 cups of milk(i used skim)

To prepare for freezer: mix bread,ham,cheese,pepper,onion in a

13x9 inch baking dish sprayed with non stick spray.

Mix together eggs and milk and poor over meat mixture.

Cover with lid or foil and freeze.

To prepare to bake: thaw overnight in the

refrigerator, bake uncovered in a 375 degree oven

for 45 minutes.

Chicken Enchiladas

(from:http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/)

4 cups of cooked chicken breast cut up or shredded

1 tsp garlic powder

1 cup of sour cream

1 can of cream of mushroom or chicken soup

2 cups of cheddar cheese

2 cups of Monterrey jack cheese

4 ounce can of green chilies

10 flour tortillas( i used whole wheat)

To prepare for freezer: cook and dice chicken,combine all ingredients

EXCEPT FOR CHICKEN AND CHEESE. Place

1 cup of cheese aside for topping. Leaving enough tortilla

to roll over, place approx. 1 heaping TBSP of filling,then layer chick and cheese,

roll up tortilla tucking in the ends, place in a greased 9x13 inch pan.

Top with remaining filling and then cheese. Cover with a lid or

foil and freeze.

To prepare to bake: thaw in refrigerator overnight. Bake @ 350

covered for 30 minutes and then remove foil and bake

an additional 15-20 minutes till bubbling and cheese is

completely melted.