Good Freezable Casseroles?
I just joined the Meals ministry at my church that provides food to families that have loved ones in the hospital and no time to cook. We stock a freezer with casseroles, sides, etc. that can be delivered to their home and cooked at a moment's notice. Does anyone have suggestions on what freezes (and reheats!) well?
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11 Comments:
Macaroni & cheese and Lasagna .. I do them for us all the time.
NanaJoie at 4:45PM on 02/17/09
This is a standby for me when anyone I know has a baby, a loved one in the hospital, etc.
http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/baked-pasta-with-chicken-sausage?autonomy_kw=pasta%20with%20sausage%20baked&rsc=header_1
missus_p at 5:06PM on 02/17/09
I don't have any suggestions, other than doing a baked pasta type thing, but I just wanted to say that I think that is a great thing that you are doing!
NYCEater at 5:37PM on 02/17/09
I served this chicken spaghetti to my family this weekend. This comfort food fills a 9 x 13 baking dish. I did not freeze this dish, but the leftovers were wonderful. Being it reheats well, I think it would also be tasty after freezing. As Ree suggests, finely dice the onions and peppers to make it more family friendly. (I used red pepper rather than pimento.) Bless your heart for being part of your church's ministry.
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/chicken_spaghet/
Suzzanne at 6:04PM on 02/17/09
chili (meat or bean) with a cornbread topping.... cottage pie (ground beef with gravy with mashed potato crust).... stew.... chicken cacciatore....
very nice thing to do!
pooch at 6:54PM on 02/17/09
I made and froze these dishes for friends who lost a loved one recently.
Blazy's pepperoni lasagna
Mexican Breakfast Casserole
Turkey and Artichoke Stuffed Shells with Arrabbiata Sauce(modified to wha
t I thought they would like). All recipes on Foodnetwork.com
Other suggestions would be chicken pot pie,enchiladas,tamale pie,corn dog casserole, and of course homemade choc chip cookie dough. Food is love!
marchesa at 8:09PM on 02/17/09
I just picked up a copy of "The Best Make Ahead Recipes" by the Cooks Illustrated folks- they have a chapter dedicated to casseroles. They had a lot of great tips on freezing items, and all the recipes are tested with that in mind.
bisbee at 9:10PM on 02/17/09
Good for you. I am chronically ill so often keep things in the freezer for days that I have treatments or doctors appointments so that I don't have to do any work to have a great meal.
I also suggest Cooks Illustrated's Best Make Ahead Recipe, and their other books too.
My favorite recipe of late is Baked Manicotti Puttanesca, you can find at America's Test Kitchen (from Cooks Illustrated) here's the link, all you need is an email address to sign up for free. http://www.americastestkitchen.com/recipe.asp?recipeids=3882&iSeason=8 This is defrosting now for dinner tomorrow night in fact.
Soups are also great to make large batches and divide up portions for freezing. Corn chowders and tomato soups and sauces in the summer when they are fresh. Ham and Bean, french onion, etc. for cold winter days.
bobcatsteph3 at 9:56PM on 02/17/09
I had my mom with me for over a month after having her knee replaced and I cooked up a storm to fill up her freezer (for my dad) as well as mine (I have a long commute and needed to have food for lunch).
I made: lasagna, mac & cheese, chili, split pea soup, lentil soup and turkey soup. I split nearly everything into small containers and prepared the mac & cheese in custard cups for individual servings. Everything froze well and heated up fine.
mcanna at 10:50PM on 02/17/09
Occasionally. I make home made pizza, and freeze the whole pie after cooling, or cut into quarters or individual slices. I have also frozen beef stroganoff with good results, just adding the sour cream before reheating. Marinated (or not) skinless, boneless chicken breasts, grilled, the frozen, come out good also, and preparing your own flavored or fried rice recipe to go along with it would be quite simple, something different than a casserole.
Another good one is to mix large bite sized pieces of cooked turkey and gravy, and topping it with stuffing (as you would cottage pie w/ mashed potatoes), sending along a small container of extra gravy. I have used all the these items when I have received last minute catering calls (making sure the client knows it has been frozen), and they keep coming back with no complaints!
Karencooks at 7:58AM on 02/18/09
Such great ideas! Thanks all! I made a pasta and chicken casserole that turned out great, and broccoli and rice. But I do appreciate the help! Keep 'em coming!
- Dawn
dharmon at 2:45PM on 02/18/09