Freezer Meals

All of these recipes can be made ahead and frozen.  These are great recipes to bring to a new mom, or to stock your freezer before welcoming a new baby.  If you really want to save time, double the recipe when you cook dinner and freeze half to eat later.  Enjoy! 

 

BBQ Turkey Meatballs

Whole Wheat Calzones

Venison Turkey Chili

Enchilada Casserole

Whole Wheat Pizza Dough

Tortilla Soup

Lasagna

Stuffed Shells

Sloppy Joes

Homemade Hot Pockets

Breakfast Burritos

Chicken Packets

Cheesy Chicken Roll-Ups

Cheesy Chicken Roll-Ups


4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded thin
2 sticks mozzarella string cheese
1 egg, beaten
3/4 cup Italian breadcrumbs
3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp chili powder
4 tbs margarine
1 tbs minced garlic


Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Spray a 9" x 13" baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.  


Cut string cheese sticks in half.  Place one half on each of the four chicken breasts.  Roll up and secure with two toothpicks.  


Place beaten egg into a shallow bowl or breading dish.  Combine Italian breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, pepper, and chili powder in a separate bowl or breading dish.  Dip each chicken roll-up into egg, coating all sides well.  Let excess drip off.  Coat in breadcrumb mixture.  Place in greased baking dish.  Repeat with remaining chicken roll-up.

Place margarine and garlic in a microwave-proof bowl and microwave until margarine is melted.  Pour over each chicken roll-up.  Bake for 20 - 25 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and no longer pink.

Crunchy Oven-Fried Ravioli

Crunchy Oven-Fried Ravioli - slightly adapted from How Sweet Eats

1 pound frozen beef ravioli 
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 3/4 cups panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese + more for topping
1/4 tsp Cajun seasoning
1/4 tsp chili powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
marinara sauce for dipping

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with aluminum foil, and place a wire rack on top of each pan. Spray the racks with nonstick spray. Add eggs to one bowl, and in a larger bowl mix flour, panko, breadcrumbs, cheese, Cajun seasoning, chili powder, and pepper.

Bring water to a boil and cook ravioli for half of the recommended time. Drain and quickly spray through them with nonstick spray to help them not stick together. Once cool to the touch, dip each ravioli in eggs, then coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing to adhere. Place on the wire rack and repeat until finished. Spray each with a quick hit of nonstick spray. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until crispy and golden. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Serve hot with marinara for dipping.

Pizza Pasta

Pizza Pasta


13 oz. whole wheat pasta
1 29 oz can tomato sauce
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tbs basil
1 tbs oregano
1 tbs parsley
1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese
turkey pepperoni


Simmer tomato sauce, water, brown sugar, basil, oregano, and parsley on low heat for 1 hour.  Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions.  Drain.  Add pasta and 1/2 cup of cheese to tomato sauce.  Mix well.


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray either a 9" x 13" baking pan or two 9" x 9" baking pans (can be frozen for later) with cooking spray.  Pour pasta mixture into pan(s).  Top with remaining cheese, followed by pepperoni.  Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.  Remove foil and bake for 15 minutes longer.  Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Copycat Pizza Hut Personal Pan Pizza

Copycat Pizza Hut Personal Pan Pizza - cdkitchen

1 1/3 cup warm water (105 degrees F)
1/4 cup non-fat dry milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 cups flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 package dry yeast
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for dough)
9 ounces vegetable oil (3 ounce per pan)
butter flavored cooking spray

Sauce
1 can (8 ounce size) tomato sauce
2 tbs brown sugar
1 teaspoon dry oregano
1/2 teaspoon dry basil
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

Put yeast, sugar, salt, and dry milk in a large (2 qt.) bowl. Add water and stir to mix well. Allow to sit for two minutes. Add oil and stir again. Add flour and stir until dough forms and flour is absorbed. 

Turn out on to a flat surface and knead for about 10 minutes. Divide dough into three balls. In three 9" cake pans, put 3 Oz. of oil in each making sure it is spread evenly. Using a rolling pin, roll out each dough ball to about a 9" circle. Place in cake pans.

Spray the outer edge of dough with cooking spray. Cover with a plate. Place in warm area and allow to rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Sauce
Combine ingredients and let sit for 1 hour.

For each 9" pizza: Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Spoon 1/3 cup sauce on dough and spread to within 1" of edge. Distribute 1 1/2 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese on sauce. Add toppings of your choice.  Cook until cheese is bubbling and outer crust is brown, about 8 - 12 minutes.

Beef Stir Fry

Beef Stir Fry - adapted from Simple and Delicious July/August 2007


1 1/2 tsp sugar
1 tsp cornstarch
3/4 cup cold water
6 tbs reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 tsp sesame oil, divided
1 lb beef flank steak, cut into thin strips
1 8 oz jar whole baby corn, drained
1/4 cup carrots, diced
2 cups hot cooked brown rice


In a small bowl, combine sugar and cornstarch.  Stir in the water, soy sauce, and 1 tsp oil until smooth;  set aside.  In a large nonstick skillet or wok, stir-fry beef in remaining oil for 4 - 5 minutes, or until no longer pink.


Add the corn and carrots; stir-fry for 2 - 3 minutes, or until vegetables are crisp-tender.  Stir soy sauce mixture and add to the pan.  Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve over hot rice.

Cheesy Chicken Meatballs

Cheesy Chicken Meatballs - Olga's Flavor Factory


For meatballs:
1 lb ground chicken (I ground 2 chicken breasts in the food processor)
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup milk
1 tbs sour cream
1 egg


1/4 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Cover breadcrumbs in milk and allow to stand until all the milk is absorbed. Combine all the ingredients together, except the mayonnaise and cheeses. Form into meatballs, about 1 tablespoon each.

Note: The meat mixture will be very moist. 

Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil, spray with cooking spray,and place meatballs 1/2” apart on the sheet. Put mayonnaise in a Ziploc bag and cut a tiny hole in one corner. Apply a small amount of mayonnaise to the top of each meatball.

Combine the two cheeses together and sprinkle about 1/2 tbs on each meatball. Bake uncovered for 15-20 min. Broil for 2 minutes at the end to crisp the cheese.



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Pastalaya

Pastalaya


1 lb Cajun chicken sausage
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced into 1" cubes
1 tbs olive oil
1/4 cup finely diced green peppers
1/4 cup finely diced green onions
6 cups water
1 chicken boullion cube
1 tsp Kitchen bouquet
1 tsp Worcestershire
1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning (or to taste)
1 tsp parsley
12 oz. fettucine noodles


Heat olive oil in a large pot (preferably Magna-lite) over medium high heat.  Brown sausage links and chicken breasts.  Remove and set aside.  Cut sausage into 1/4" slices.


Turn heat down to medium low and brown peppers and onions for 3 - 4 minutes.  Add water slowly, scraping up browned bits from bottom of pot.  Add meat back to pot.  Bring mixture to boil and add chicken boullion cube, Kitchen Bouquet, Worcestershire, Cajun seasoning, and parsley.  Turn heat down to medium high and boil for 15 minutes.


Reduce heat to medium and add pasta. Cook for 15 more minutes, until most of liquid is dissolved.  Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

Pizza Bites

Pizza Bites - Annie's Eats

½ batch pizza dough (enough for 1 pizza)
4 oz. mozzarella cheese, cubed (about 20-24 pieces)
Sliced pepperoni

For topping:
Olive oil
Italian seasoning
Grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat the oven to 400˚ F.  Lightly grease a 9-inch pie plate or cake pan.  Divide the pizza dough into 20-24 roughly equal sized pieces.  Take one of the dough pieces, top with a cube of cheese and a slice or two of pepperoni.  Pull the edges of the dough around the fillings and pinch closed.  Place seam-side down in the baking dish.  Repeat with the remaining dough pieces.

Lightly brush the tops of the dough balls with olive oil.  Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and grated Parmesan cheese.  Bake for 20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.  Serve warm, with dipping sauce as desired.

JoJo's Enchilada Casserole

JoJo's Enchilada Casserole

1 lb ground turkey

2 10 oz. cans enchilada sauce

1 can Wolfe turkey chili without beans

1 can fat free refried beans

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

8 fajita size whole wheat tortillas

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Cook ground turkey until no longer pink; drain.  Add 1 can enchilada sauce, 1 can refried beans, and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese.  In a separate pot, combine remaining can of enchilada sauce and 1 can Wolfe chili.  

Spray a 9" x 13" baking dish with cooking spray.  Fill tortillas with turkey mixture; roll up and place in pan.  If any meat mixture remains, pour over top of tortillas.  Top with chili mixture.  Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake for 15 - 20 minutes, until cheese is bubbly.

**Can be frozen before placing cheese on top and baking.  Defrost in the refrigerator overnight, top with cheese, and bake according to directions.**

Sesame Chicken

Sesame Chicken - adapted from food.com

 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 tbs olive oil

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup soy sauce

1 cup water

2 tbs cornstarch

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

1 tbs sesame seeds

Cut chicken breasts into 1" cubes.  Heat oil in large skillet over medium high heat.  Cook chicken about 6 minutes, until no longer pink.

In a bowl, mix together honey, soy sauce, water, cornstarch, and red pepper flakes.  Whisk until smooth.  Pour sauce into skillet with chicken.  Cook 5 - 8 minutes on medium heat, until sauce thickens.  Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Baked Taco Pasta

Baked Taco Pasta

8 oz. whole wheat pasta

1 lb ground turkey

1 14 oz can tomato sauce

1/2 cup water

1 package taco seasoning

1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions.  Meanwhile, cook ground turkey until no longer pink.  Drain fat.  Stir in tomato sauce, water, and taco seasoning.   Simmer on medium heat for 15 minutes.  Add sauce to pasta, along with 1/2 cup of cheese.  Pour into a greased 9" baking dish. Top with remaining cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Crock Pot Shredded BBQ Pork

Crock Pot Shredded BBQ Pork

3lb pork roast

1 tsp Cajun seasoning

1 tsp chili powder

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup ketchup

1/2 cup BBQ sauce

2 tbs brown sugar

2 tbs honey

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp mustard

1/2 cup water

Season pork roast with Cajun seasoning and chili powder.  Rub garlic into roast.  In a bowl, combine ketchup, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and water.  Place roast in crock pot.  Cover completely with sauce, reserving 1/2 cup sauce in refrigerator.  Cook on high for 4 - 6 hours or low 6 - 8 hours. Drain fat, shred, add reserved sauce, and serve on buns.

Turkey Parmesan Burgers

Turkey Parmesan Burgers

1 lb ground turkey

3/4 cup Italian breadcrumbs

1 egg

1/2 tsp pepper

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

4 slices mozzarella cheese

1 cup spaghetti sauce

4 whole wheat buns

Combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, pepper, and Parmesan cheese.  Form into 4 patties.  Cook over medium high heat for 5 - 6 minutes per side, until cooked through. 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Separate buns and place bun bottoms on baking sheet.  Place one burger on each bun.  Spoon 1/4 cup spaghetti sauce over top of each burger. Top with a slice of cheese.  Bake until cheese melts.  Remove from oven and top with bun tops.

Drunken Meatballs

Drunken Meatballs

For meatballs:

1 lb ground turkey

3/4 cup breadcrumbs

1 tsp parsley

1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning

1/2 tsp black pepper

For sauce:

3/4 cup ketchup

1/4 cup brown sugar

8 oz. beer

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, parsley, Cajun seasoning, and black pepper in a bowl.   Form into golf ball size meatballs. Bake for 15 - 20 minutes, until cooked through.

Meanwhile, combine ketchup, brown sugar, and beer over medium high heat.  Simmer on medium low.  Add cooked meatballs to sauce; toss to coat.  Simmer for 30 minutes.

Cheeseburger Pizza

Cheeseburger Pizza

1 lb ground turkey

1 clove chopped garlic

1 cup pizza sauce

3/4 cup mozzarella cheese

8 oz. Velveeta, thinly sliced

pizza dough

Preheat oven to 500 degrees.  Brown ground turkey. Drain.  Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes.  Meanwhile, roll pizza dough into pizza pan.  Spread pizza sauce over crust; add meat on top of pizza sauce, spreading evenly.  Top with sliced Velveeta.  Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.  Bake for 10 - 14 minutes, until cheese begins to bubble and brown.

Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

6 chicken tenders

1/4 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

1/2 cup flour

1 tbs olive oil

1 tbs butter

1/2 cup chicken broth

3/4 cup milk

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

10 oz. whole wheat pasta

1/2 cup steamed broccoli

Cook pasta according to package directions.  Season chicken with salt and pepper.  Coat chicken with flour.  Shake off excess. Heat olive oil and butter in a pan on medium high heat.  Cook chicken for 5 minutes on each side, until cooked through and juices run clear. 

Remove chicken and set aside.  Turn heat down to medium.  Add chicken broth slowly, stirring.  Add milk.  Cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cheese.  Serve over pasta with chicken and broccoli.