Healthy Freezer Meals
https://ift.tt/31Xo2RQ On busy nights, freezer meals are the first thing I turn to in order to get a quick, wholesome, and delicious dinner on the table. This might come as a surprise, as frozen food can get a bad rap as boring, mushy, or bland. While I’m not a fan of processed frozen dinners, I often freeze the soups, stews, and casseroles I make at home. Stored and reheated the right way, they’re just as flavorful as the day they were made. And when I have a freezer full of nourishing homemade meals, there’s no reason to eat out or order in. The easiest, tastiest options are the ones I’ve already prepped and frozen! Below, you’ll find my 5 favorite types of freezer meals, along with my best tips for storing and reheating them. So make a big batch of one of these 50+ freezer meal recipes, and freeze the leftovers for another day. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later! Soup Freezer MealsWithout question, soups are the freezer meals I have on hand most often. I reach for them when I want a quick lunch in the middle of a workday, when we’re returning from a trip, or when I’m craving a healthy, warming dinner but don’t have time to cook. When you want to freeze soup, allow it to cool completely before freezing it in airtight, freezer-safe containers. Transfer them to the fridge to thaw overnight and reheat the soup on the stove, or defrost frozen soup in the microwave. Nearly all of my favorite soup recipes freeze well, but to get you started, here are a few of the soups I freeze most often:
Stew Freezer MealsSoup’s heartier cousin, stew is another of my favorite freezer meals. Allow it to cool completely before you store it in airtight, freezer-safe containers or Mason jars in your freezer. Again, defrost it in the microwave, or allow it to thaw in the fridge before reheating it on the stove. On any given day in winter or fall, I have a stash of at least one of these hearty stews in the freezer:
Casserole Freezer MealsIf you want to be prepared to serve a crowd, casseroles are the freezer meals for you! Assemble an entire casserole and freeze it before baking. Alternatively, if you want to have single portions on hand, bake any casserole and allow it to cool. Then, slice it, and freeze the individual slices. To reheat an entire frozen casserole, cover it with foil and bake for about 1 hour at 350, or until warmed through. To brown the cheese on top, uncover the dish for the last 20 minutes of baking. If the cheese is getting too browned before the middle is thawed, simply cover it back up and continue to bake. Reheat individual slices in the microwave (the timing will depend on your microwave) or in the oven for 20-30 minutes. Veggie Patties and BallsVeggie patties and balls are great single-serving freezer meals, though of course, you can reheat as many as you need to serve a group. Oftentimes, I make a double batch of these types of recipes to keep on hand in the freezer. They reheat perfectly, and I love the satisfaction of cooking once and eating (at least) twice! Freeze veggie patties and balls after you bake them. To reheat, bake them again for 20 to 25 minutes at their original baking temperature, or until they’re warmed through and the edges are slightly crisp.
Freezer Meal ComponentsIf I want to toss together hearty salads or buddha bowls throughout the week, having cooked grains, legumes, or other plant-based proteins on hand in the freezer is a life-saver. Here’s how I freeze them:
Pasta sauce and pizza dough are also great cooking components to freeze. Here’s how I do it:
Easy Freezer Meals for BreakfastWhen you have to run out the door in the morning, there’s nothing better than having a frozen stash of quick breads, muffins, or pancakes at the ready. To make quick bread an easy grab-and-go breakfast, freeze it in individual slices. Transfer them to the fridge to thaw overnight, or pop frozen bread slices, pancakes, or muffins in the microwave. If we’re leaving super early to go to the airport, I’ll grab frozen muffins or scones straight from the freezer. After an hour or so, they’ll have thawed, so they’re a perfect travel breakfast or snack.
Smoothies are another great breakfast to prep and freeze ahead of time. Freeze individual smoothie packs with fresh fruit, veggies, and superfood add-ins. In the morning, blend the frozen ingredients with juice, nut milk, or oat milk to make a healthy, energizing breakfast.
More Favorite Meal Planning IdeasIf you love these freezer meals, check out my easy dinner ideas, healthy lunch ideas, and best meal prep tips for more meal planning inspiration! Other posts you may enjoy...
The post Healthy Freezer Meals appeared first on Love and Lemons. Recipes via Love and Lemons https://ift.tt/2h2Uz32 February 16, 2020 at 08:05AM #recipies
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The Flat Belly FixThis is the only 21-day rapid weight loss system that allows you to easily lose an average of 1 lb a day for 21 days without feeling hungry or deprived. The unique and brand new techniques used in this System are proven SAFE. And they do not cause the rebound weight gain common to all the other rapid weight loss systems that are not backed by the latest science. The Flat Belly Fix System takes advantage of a recent scientific discovery that proves the effective weight loss power of an ancient spice. Combined with other cutting-edge ingredients in the patent-pending Flat Belly Fix Tea™ — that you can make right in your own kitchen in minutes — this System is the quickest, easiest and most enjoyable way to quickly get the body you desire and deserve. Click HereCategories
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