Peaceseeker Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 Ok I know most people say they dislike freezer cooking and casseroles, etc. Most of my freezer cooking is just parts of meals or meal starters, but I would love a few freezer to oven meals to add in my rotation. We don't eat a ton of casseroles, but my family does eat a spaghetti casserole that my mother in law makes them, so I have added that in. I have tried Shephards pie and lasagna but only half my family eats either so they are a bust- I need 3 out of 4 likes to make it into my rotation, lol...I have a couple of freezer to crock pot meals like chili and pot roast but I am actually looking for freezer to oven ideas. So that at 4:00 when someone says what is for dinner, there is a back up plan besides cheese quesadillas or frozen pizza. So do you have a favorite family casserole or one dish meal in your recipes that is kid friendly and mom approved? Would you share it here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth86 Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 (edited) I would love to have some ideas. My dh and both sons like a hunk of meat, pile of starch and pile of veggies. Only dd and I like " mixed together food" Edited September 18, 2017 by Elizabeth86 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 (edited) The only one dish meals we like are lasagna and soup. Soups freeze well. I have not found freezer-to-oven to be a huge time saver. By the time the food has thawed and heated in the oven, I have cooked a fresh meal from scratch. But soups, they get better in the freezer :) Edited September 18, 2017 by regentrude 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busymama7 Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 Enchiladas 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klmama Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 I don't make full freezer meals, but I do cook meat ahead of time. I try to have a bag of cooked ground beef ready to add to any recipe that needs it. I often freeze cooked chicken pieces, too, for a quick thaw in the microwave while I pull out some salad and bread. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaBearTeacher Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 (edited) scalloped potatoes or potatoes au gratin Oh, sorry. I don't think this freezes well. Edited September 18, 2017 by MamaBearTeacher 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daria Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 I don't make freezer meals, but one quick things that we like at our house is:Cabbage, carrots, onions, and Kielbasa (add potatoes if you want), plus about 1/3 of a cup of water. Cover tightly and put on medium for about 20 minutes so it all steams and the cabbage tastes kielbasa-y. (Don't bother telling me that Kiebasa-y is not a word, I know). 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmasc Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 Enchiladas+1 :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth86 Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 I don't make freezer meals, but one quick things that we like at our house is: Cabbage, carrots, onions, and Kielbasa (add potatoes if you want), plus about 1/3 of a cup of water. Cover tightly and put on medium for about 20 minutes so it all steams and the cabbage tastes kielbasa-y. (Don't bother telling me that Kiebasa-y is not a word, I know). Whoa that is seriously appealing to my pregnant appetite right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daria Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 Whoa that is seriously appealing to my pregnant appetite right now. It's super easy, cheap, and full of veggies. I guess people need to make their own decisions about how they feel about the nitrates in the kielbasa, or buy the uncured stuff at whole foods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth86 Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 It's super easy, cheap, and full of veggies. I guess people need to make their own decisions about how they feel about the nitrates in the kielbasa, or buy the uncured stuff at whole foods. Yeah, Im good eithet way. I grew up eating this meal. Its been a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
historically accurate Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 My family likes Taco Corn Bake. I make the meat mixture ahead of time, and then just make up the corn bread topping before I pop it in the oven. https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/corn-bread-taco-bake Spaghetti Pie (there are many versions online, I didn't find my exact one though) This one the kids liked; DH and I not so much. I used my own "Cream of" soup base instead of the canned stuff though. http://www.30daygourmet.com/cheeseburger-fries-delight/ Most of us will eat Hawaiian Kielbasa (this recipe is very similar to the one I use). Just dump all ingredients in a freezer bag and then dump in crockpot. http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/hawaiian-kielbasa Almost everyone here will eat Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf. http://www.whatscookinchicago.com/2010/06/chicken-parmesan-meatloaf.html 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 My family loves this: https://www.google.com/amp/www.food.com/amp/recipe/traditional-chicken-divan-190335 For the dairy allergic, we sub appropriately. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 I don't make freezer meals, but one quick things that we like at our house is: Cabbage, carrots, onions, and Kielbasa (add potatoes if you want), plus about 1/3 of a cup of water. Cover tightly and put on medium for about 20 minutes so it all steams and the cabbage tastes kielbasa-y. (Don't bother telling me that Kiebasa-y is not a word, I know). Kielbasa-y is absolutely a word. At least it is now. :) 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pink and Green Mom Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 I don't make freezer meals, but one quick things that we like at our house is: Cabbage, carrots, onions, and Kielbasa (add potatoes if you want), plus about 1/3 of a cup of water. Cover tightly and put on medium for about 20 minutes so it all steams and the cabbage tastes kielbasa-y. (Don't bother telling me that Kiebasa-y is not a word, I know). Because I want to make this right now - medium what? Temp In the oven or setting on a stove? And thank you for solving my dinner dilemma. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree Frog Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 Johnny Menjetti. A pasta/tomato soup/mushroom soup/diced tomatoes/cheese/ground beef dish my family loves. Freezes very well. The original recipe called for green peppers and no tomatoes. I omit the green peppers, added diced tomatoes, onions, and lots of garlic. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 Frozen burritos can be personalized by person and are a full meal by themselves. So what if Sally only likes chicken, cheese, and rice in hers? Mom and dad can still have peppers and spiciness without it causing a riot. These are also a good backup for the night you really want something that one person will not eat. Throw them a bland burrito and have that chicken tikka masala that you absolutely deserve. Chicken pot pie is good too. I get what Regentrude is saying about it not being faster, but some days it's nice to reduce your hands-on time to the one minute it takes unwrap something and pop it in the oven. Those freezer-to-table meals are great when you're at home, but still crazy busy OR for when you like to premeditate your laziness. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solascriptura Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 Lasagna and baked ziti. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peaceseeker Posted September 18, 2017 Author Share Posted September 18, 2017 Well I just mentioned to my kids about getting more casserole recipes for the days I forgot to thaw something and didn't want to run to the store to figure out dinner. My son said I had better get a lot of recipes because that was pretty much all the time.😒 Thanks kid. I swear I used to be more on top of things but these days it just seems like go, go, go all the time. I can't catch up! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 Everybody likes breakfast casserole type dishes and pre-made breakfast sandwiches or burritos.... after that.... it really depends. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolatechip Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 Tamale pie is popular here. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wabi Sabi Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 Shepherd's pie: leftover meat from a leg of lamb if you're lucky or ground lamb that has been browned, gravy, frozen peas, mashed potatoes. Mmm! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 I can't call it casserole or DH will object before he even tastes it. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree Frog Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 Shepherd's pie: leftover meat from a leg of lamb if you're lucky or ground lamb that has been browned, gravy, frozen peas, mashed potatoes. Mmm! I make this with leftover stew or beef soup. Very good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulycrabby Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 This butternut squash recipe, except Instead of pasta, I use thin sliced potatoes and carrots. I also don't bother with the chicken stock. https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/butternut-squash-sundried-tomatoes-50006002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeachyDoodle Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 I am a big fan of casseroles. Most everyone here likes them too, except for ds6, who doesn't care for his food being mixed up. One of my favorites includes shredded chicken, celery, rice and water chestnuts mixed with cream of chicken soup and a little mayo and topped with crumbled crackers. It freezes great and is perfect for when we have leftover chicken (or turkey, but don't tell dh because he hates turkey!). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 Pioneer Woman's Sour Cream Noodle Bake is a hit here and is a basic recipe you can modify easily. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted September 19, 2017 Share Posted September 19, 2017 I think most casserole recipes make too much food, and we get tired of them from there bing lots of leftovers hanging around too long. So I went for years of not making casseroles. Now I am thinking of making them and dividing the recipes 4 ways, one for us at home and the others to send home with my penny pinching young adults - right sizes for everyone! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted September 19, 2017 Share Posted September 19, 2017 I can't call it casserole or DH will object before he even tastes it. I had no idea my DH visited your house. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelli Posted September 19, 2017 Share Posted September 19, 2017 (edited) Chicken and Rice Casserole is the only one we all like. I've never tried freezing it though, but it's really easy to assemble. ETA: Link Edited September 19, 2017 by Chelli 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth86 Posted September 19, 2017 Share Posted September 19, 2017 There is no one casserole my family eats. In fact, there's no one dish that all 5 people living in this house will eat. At all. Glad my 5 arent the only family like this. I mean only 4 of us eat pizza anymore. Oddball 5 year old... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forget-Me-Not Posted September 19, 2017 Share Posted September 19, 2017 (edited) Not casserole, but my family loves these. I make a big batch and freeze a bunch (lay them out on a cookie sheet to freeze, then pop in a freezer bag). They bake up beautifully from frozen and are nice for a quick dinner: http://ourbestbites.com/2014/07/baked-creamy-chicken-taquitos/ I also make this: http://ourbestbites.com/2009/08/southwestern-beef-wraps/ It makes a ton, so I'll freeze half for later or make these with the leftovers: http://ourbestbites.com/2009/06/baked-chipotle-beef-taquitos/ On days when I have more time to cook, I make big batches of spaghetti sauce, chili or soup and put away some in the freezer. I find a double batch of most soups stretches to three dinners for my family and it's really not much extra effort to make twice as much. It's easy to throw a chunk of frozen soup in the crockpot in the afternoon and let it thaw and warm. I keep a bag of frozen Costco meatballs and pasta on hand so I can always throw a spaghetti and meatballs dinner together at the last minute. We usually have taco fixings here too, so it's a matter of browning/seasoning some ground beef and pulling tortillas and toppings out of the fridge. Edited September 19, 2017 by Forget-me-not 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartlikealion Posted September 19, 2017 Share Posted September 19, 2017 Haven't tried it with the family yet, but a girlfriend of mine (this is apparently a Southern thing) makes a chicken spaghetti with rotel. I had it at her home and I really liked it. Ds said it was okay and I think dd ate a couple bites (the kids were with me). Dh prefers the alfredo sauce version, but I do not like alfredo. Dh doesn't really like casseroles which is a bummer because I like casseroles. I'm into chicken/rice/veggie casseroles. I think dh might make an exception for a breakfast casserole, though. I would like to figure out a good breakfast dish to make in advance that we could all agree on. Everyone in this family likes eggs, that's for sure. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TABmom Posted September 19, 2017 Share Posted September 19, 2017 I have one- Tater Tot casserole- You cook a lb of ground beef, add a package of frozen mixed veggies, a can of tomato sauce, and a bag of shredded cheese. Put that in a 9x13 pan and put a layer of tater tots on the top. Bake until the tater tots are done. Everyone will eat it and it has veggies! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Tick Posted September 19, 2017 Share Posted September 19, 2017 My veggie lasagna and veggie tamales pie don't always get thawed before going into the oven. I just add extra time. Casseroles save me time because the oven can be set to start cooking while I am still picking people up or dropping people off at activities around town. Prepping meals from scratch requires time specifically in the kitchen prior to eating, and also interest in doing so which often runs low by Tuesday night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kassia Posted September 19, 2017 Share Posted September 19, 2017 Glad my 5 arent the only family like this. I mean only 4 of us eat pizza anymore. Oddball 5 year old... Family of six - not one meal everyone will eat. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zinnia Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 Enchiladas, King Ranch chicken (I make it with corn tortillas cause mushy flour ones...no), taco meat to make nachos or burritos, and this sausage cornbread I make. It's Mexican cornbread with a pound of crumbled sausage and a package of frozen blackened peas (cooked). My kids love that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 Oh, the other posters reminded me, I used to make a chicken enchilada recipe from the Better Homes & Garden cookbook that everybody loved. I have no idea how well it would freeze (had cream cheese in it), but it was a favorite. I haven't made it in maybe five years. I think I'll make it this weekend. :) Here's the recipe. No idea how they only use a 3 oz package of cream cheese, we always used more and upped the spices, etc. http://www.bhg.com/recipe/chicken/chicken-enchiladas/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6packofun Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 Chicken bacon ranch casserole. Honestly, it's the only actual casserole I make anymore, and yes, it uses cream soup. lol No recipe, just bake some tater tots or crispy crowns most of the way and then line your 9x13 baking dish with them. (Probably need to reduce oven temp from 425 or so to 375.) Mix 2 cans cream of chicken soup (or whatever combo you like) plus a cup or so of sour cream, 1 pkg dry ranch dressing mix, about 2 cups shredded cheese, and bacon pieces. Throw in leftover shredded chicken and pour over tater tots. Bake at 375, covered, for 40 minutes, uncover and bake another 10-15 or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momto6inIN Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 Chicken broccoli casserole is a big hit here. My 5 year old even requested it for her birthday meal lol! I've also used diced zucchini instead of the broccoli and that's gone over well too. Grease a 9x13 pan. Cook 4 servings of rice according to package directions and spread in bottom of pan. Mix together broccoli or zucchini, cooked diced chicken, 1/2 cup Mayo, 1 can cream of whatever you have on hand soup, a handful of shredded cheese, parsley, salt and pepper. Spread over rice. Bake at 350 for about 45 minutes. Sent from my Z988 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebrindam Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 Family of 5. 3 vegan, 2 with SED/ARFID. There is not one meal everyone eats the same thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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