[queenbear]

I thought I would start collecting some make ahead recipes..wth only 12 weeks till my new arrival and a very difficult schedule. I wanted to make some meals ahead of time, at least enough for the first two weeks. I'm not looking for anything fancy, no soups or stews. Basic entrees that I can put in the oven. If you have any ideas please pass them on..

[LyndaSLP]

I have frozen the following w/o any problems:

Lasagna
Meatloaf

Oh... and I do NOT cook my lasagna noodles first.... I never do that. If you layer each noodle with enough sauce (bottom and top), then the sauce gives enough moisture during cooking to cook/soften the noodles.

[southerngirl]

May I recommend Stouffers and Bertolli?

They are really tasty. My kids beg for the lasagna and DH loves the Bertolli and even will cook it for himself and kids when I am not at home.

[southerngirl]

Chicken and dressing / Chicken and rice work well also.

Check out the Shepards Pie thread....that would work also.

[fuzzyboo]

Enchiladas freeze well

[dianescraps]

If you search out the Once a Month Cooking reciepes there are a ton of options

Some of the things I do on a regular basis:

Buy steak / chicken put it in the ziplock with the marinade and freeze it, while it defrosts it marinates it

make and freeze meatloaf, taco meat, and meatballs

[skyesgranny]

When you're cooking a meal right now, why not cook double? Then put portions into freezer containers that can be nuked as needed.... homemade TV dinners. Don't forget spaghetti and meatsauce!