Easy Freezer Meal Prep

I've always been a lover of freezer meals ... homemade freezer meals, made with favorite recipes. Though my methods have changed over the years, I still love to keep a supply of freezer meals on hand for the days that I don't have time to prepare a meal, or days where I just prefer not to cook.

When three of our four daughters still lived close by, we would occasionally get together for what we called "Freezer Meal Days". Occasionally a son would join us, as well! So much fun! You can view some of those days here on my blog ... click here, and scroll clear down to the bottom of the page to see some links to some of our "Freezer Meal Days"! So many sweet memories on the posts listed there!

Things have changed over the years, as more family has moved farther away. And I still love to prepare meals for the freezer, for just the two of us, or to have on hand to share with others. My easy method to prepare freezer meals now is to still make the same amount of food from my recipes ... never preparing half the amount, but preparing the full amount, and often, even doubling the recipe. That way I can put meals in the freezer!

Here are a few examples I've done recently ...

Italian Spaghetti Bake (click here for my recipe)

My recipe makes two 9x13 pans. My method is to prepare the recipe in four 8x8 pans. One for our supper meal that day, and three more for the freezer.

And another ...

Garlic Beef Enchiladas (click here for my recipe)

My recipe makes one 9x13 pan, and just this past week I doubled the recipe, and again used four 8x8 pans. One for our meal that day, one to give away (dear friends dealing with a severe illness), and two more for the freezer.

Photo above, of a meal we took for friends the evening I made the Garlic Beef Enchiladas ... and then (below) our meal that same evening.

Besides main dishes, I also love to have a variety of desserts in the freezer, readily available for when family or friends come by ... 

Recently, I prepared a jelly roll pan full of Blueberry Bars ...

(Click here for my recipe)

Two platefuls to share right away, and two more for the freezer.

Preparing food for the freezer is a continuing week by week practice here at our home. I love to cook, and I also love days when I can just pull out something from the freezer to use!