The Joy of Freezer Meal Clubs
Freezer meal clubs are not just about the food, but also about community, shared experiences, and expanding culinary horizons. Imagine having a variety of meals at your disposal, all prepared lovingly by your friends in the club, ready to thaw and eat whenever you want. The convenience is unrivaled, but one common challenge is maintaining a rich and varied selection of recipes.
Today, we present a curated list of five delicious and convenient freezer club recipes. This compilation is thanks to forum member alarson, whose culinary creativity brings a breath of fresh air to freezer meal rotations. So, whether you are part of a club or just someone interested in freezer-friendly recipes, these recipes won't disappoint.
Guidelines for a Freezer Meal Club
Before we delve into the recipes, it's essential to establish a few guidelines to ensure your freezer meal club runs smoothly and fairly:
- Packaging: Always pack meals in a zip lock bag, clearly marked with the recipe name and the date.
- Containers: If the meal is supposed to be cooked in a specific container, provide this along with the meal for added convenience.
- Budget: Aim to spend at least $25 total for the entree that you're making five times.
- Feedback: Honesty is essential. If a meal doesn't fare well in the freezer or during reheating, let the cook know.
- Share the Recipe: It's always appreciated if you can include the recipe with the meal. This way, others can recreate the meal if they like it.
Read our entire blog post on starting a Freezer Meal Club.
Five Stellar Freezer Club Recipes
Now let's get cooking! Here are five fantastic recipes to try for your next freezer meal club gathering.
Freezer Meal Recipe #1: Artichoke Chicken Bake
This delicious recipe is a blend of juicy chicken breasts and tender artichoke hearts, all nestled in a creamy sauce. The dish is then sprinkled with sliced almonds, adding a satisfying crunch to every bite.
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup butter or margarine
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 2 tablespoons flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ¼ cup dry white wine (or apple juice)
- 1 cup canned reduced-fat chicken broth
- 1 (3 oz) package fat-free cream cheese
- 1 (14 oz) can artichoke hearts, drained and halved (not marinated artichoke hearts)
- ½ cup sliced almonds (to be added at serving time)
- 2 tablespoons parsley
Instructions:
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute onion and garlic until tender.
- Stir in flour and salt until smooth. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Add wine (or juice) and broth; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture is thickened and bubbly.
- Add cream cheese, stirring until the cheese melts. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Place chicken breasts in a 2-quart casserole dish; arrange artichoke hearts over chicken.
- Spoon cream cheese mixture over chicken and artichokes.
- Cover, label and freeze.
- Thaw to serve. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until bubbly. Sprinkle with almonds and parsley.
Freezer Meal Recipe #2: Bacon Wrapped Chicken
This recipe takes the humble chicken breast to new heights with a stuffing of cream cheese and a crispy bacon wrap. It is a sure crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients:
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 12 strips of bacon
- 1 package cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons chives, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Pound the chicken breasts until they are about 1/4-inch thick.
- Mix the cream cheese and chives together.
- Spread a layer of the cream cheese mixture over one side of the chicken breast.
- Roll up the chicken breast and wrap with two slices of bacon. Secure with toothpicks if necessary.
- Place the wrapped chicken breasts on a baking sheet and bake for 35-40 minutes, until the bacon is crispy and the chicken is cooked through.
- Cool completely before packing in ziplock bags and freezing.
Freezer Meal Recipe #3: Cool Lime Burritos
These burritos make for a refreshing and light lunch or dinner option. The tangy lime and honey dressing lend a zesty edge to this delightful dish.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of ground turkey
- 1/2 cup of diced onions
- 1 packet of taco seasoning
- 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup of honey
- 1/4 cup of lime juice
- 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 package of flour tortillas
Instructions:
- Cook the ground turkey and onions in a skillet over medium heat until the meat is cooked through and the onions are soft. Drain off any excess fat.
- Add the taco seasoning to the skillet and stir to combine.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the cheese, honey, lime juice, and cilantro.
- Spoon the mixture onto the center of each tortilla. Roll up the tortilla and fold in the sides to create a burrito.
- Place the burritos on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer the burritos to a ziplock bag and return to the freezer.
- To serve, defrost the burrito, drain off any excess liquid, and heat in the microwave or oven until heated through.
Freezer Meal Recipe #4: Super Burgers
Handcrafted burgers are a freezer staple, and these ones are a standout with a mix of onions and green pepper. They're perfect for a quick dinner solution.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 green pepper, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs
- 1 egg
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl.
- Shape the mixture into 4-6 patties, depending on your preferred burger size.
- Cook the patties on a preheated grill or in a skillet until they reach the desired doneness.
- Allow the patties to cool completely, then pack them in a ziplock bag separated by wax paper and freeze.
Freezer Meal Recipe #5: Baked Spaghetti
A special shoutout to forum member anazad for this comforting and hearty baked spaghetti recipe. Packed with flavors of ground beef, spaghetti sauce, and a generous helping of cheddar cheese soup, this dish is guaranteed to impress.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 jar spaghetti sauce
- 1 can cheddar cheese soup
- 1/2 cup water
- 8 oz spaghetti, cooked and drained
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook ground beef in a skillet until browned and drain off any fat.
- Add spaghetti sauce to the beef and stir.
- In a separate bowl, combine cheddar cheese soup and water, mixing well.
- In a greased baking dish, layer half the cooked spaghetti, half the beef and sauce mixture, and half the soup mixture. Repeat the layers.
- Sprinkle the top layer with shredded mozzarella.
- Bake for 30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the dish cool completely before packaging for freezing.
With these five delectable freezer club recipes, we hope you've found some inspiration for your next meal exchange. Remember, the joy of a freezer meal club is not just in the convenience of pre-prepared meals, but also in the shared experience of cooking and enjoying delicious food with others. Bon appétit!
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