Calling All Cooks! - Chicago,IL

Updated on April 20, 2013
S.A. asks from Chicago, IL
12 answers

A good friend of mine is having back surgery on 05/07. I would like to make up some meals that can be frozen and warmed up as needed.

I have thought of lasagna and Mexican lasagna, but what are some other ideas for meals that freeze well and reheat well without being dried out?

Thanks in advance! I appreciate your help!

ETA: She has two kids, so the meals have to be fairly kid-friendly. They're not super picky, but still...

1 mom found this helpful

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B.B.

answers from Missoula on

This one is good.

http://www.alexandracooks.com/2013/02/18/pasta-with-chick...

My boys (5 and 2) love it and my husband would eat it once a week.

3 moms found this helpful

More Answers

A.W.

answers from Kalamazoo on

soups
chili
spaghetti sauce with meat - then she just has to cook noodles
other pre made meat - taco meat
roast and veggies

3 moms found this helpful
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M.H.

answers from Chicago on

I make chicken/turkey pot pies.. Freeze and cook when needed. Even veggie pot pie is good.

Meat loaf, I make it raw, freeze take out the day before I cook it.
Chilli
soup

Good luck

2 moms found this helpful

R.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

You're on the right track, any casserole type dish would do well. Also soup, placed in ziploc freezer bags frozen flat (for easier storage.)

If she has a crock pot you could prepare meals for her to put in the crock pot, here's a link I found helpful, a total of 25 recipes you can pre-gather, freeze, then use as needed, awesome! Check out all 5 parts (she gives links) and note she provides shopping lists:
http://baked-inthesouth.blogspot.com/2013/03/crockpot-fre...

And here's more freezer meal recipes:
http://freezermealsforus.blogspot.com/

2 moms found this helpful

T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Soups, stews and casseroles all freeze and reheat well.

2 moms found this helpful

A.C.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Chicken Cacciatore and rice or noodles. The recipe I use is at www.ourbestbites.com

1 mom found this helpful
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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Actually, have you considered that they might like freshly cooked meals instead? Couldn't you, and her other friends, make up a menu and share the cooking? I know when we have someone down the sisters at church used to get a phone call and they'd be asked if they could take in a meal to so and so, they just has surgery or a baby. They would do something for the family, making sure the family didn't have allergies or finding out what kinds of food they really liked. This was a wonderful way of sharing food and sharing recipes too.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.P.

answers from Seattle on

Spaghetti and meatballs
Chicken and potato casserole
Frozen Pizza with Tater tots
Stir fry, and then just add rice
Cut up chicken for salads, you can use steak too.
Tatertot casserole.

You could even make up some "Breakfast for dinner" recipes too. Scrambled egg bake, pancakes, etc.

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J.G.

answers from Chicago on

Soups! Chicken soup, ham and pea....

Enchiladas, meatloaf, chicken pot pie, shepherds pie. Chicken casserole....

Meatballs and sausage to go with pasta and sauce....Pasta sauce freezes great....I also make up large batches of taco meat, beans and rice and freeze them, then I can just microwave dinner!

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❤.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Taco meat (cooked & ready to go), tortillas, all the fixings cut up.

Chicken, white rice & mushroom soup casserole.

Rotisserie chicken, coleslaw, mashed potatoes (hot & ready to eat that
night).

Enchiladas

Have pizza delivered one night (what kid doesn't like pizza?).

Drop off a bag of frozen chicken nuggets she can heat up for the kids
at any time.

Shepherd's pie (cooked then frozen so all she has to do is reheat).

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A.L.

answers from Las Vegas on

although NOT homemade but are tasty nonetheless, ever try the Vicolo's cornmeal crust pizza? you can buy it with toppings already on it OR just the crust, whereby you could make some pizza sauce and freeze it.. just add topics that she might enjoy..
It's a healthier take on pizza ... and yet so yummy.. It can be purchased at Whole Foods.. we like to have it in addition to a salad... makes for a good meal..
Additionally, tamales hold up well.. if you can't make em, Donna's brand purchased at Whole Foods are a pleasant surprise in terms of taste and kids tend to like em..

Enchiladas also do well when frozen..

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A.W.

answers from Chicago on

One of my kid's favorite meals is my Chicken Salsa Crockpot. Super easy and I always make a double batch and freeze half. It freezes really well.

3-4 Chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
1 jar chunky salsa (our fav is Walmart's corn and black bean)
1/2 envelope of taco seasoning

Dump it all in the crockpot on low for about 8 hours. Shred chicken and mix into salsa. Serve with tortillas, sour cream, cheese, and avacado.

Spaghetti sauce, chili, soups, sloppy joe mix, taco meat all freeze well and reheat easy.
What a wonderful way to help your friend. Yay you!

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