What's cookin': A whole lotta freezer meals

We're getting ready to have a baby around here and part of my pre-baby preparation has always been making a few freezer meals that are ready to pop in the oven or slow cooker so that things are just a *little* less hectic those first few weeks. This past weekend I prepared 10 meals that are ready to heat and eat!

I keep a file of freezer-friendly, somewhat healthy, slow cooker meals that I chose from and picked out a few other meals that the girls *usually* eat.

This round of meal preparation included:

- Bolognese sauce that was used for:
     - Baked ziti (1 batch split into three containers; 2 for the freezer; 1 for the next day)*
     - Two bags of bolognese to serve over pasta
- Cheese ravioli "lasagna" (basically frozen cheese ravioli layered between marinara sauce and topped with mozzarella)
- Cranberry BBQ chicken *
- Peppers and onions with turkey smoked sausage *
- Chicken cacciatore *
- Jamaican gumbo *
- Ranch pork chops *

* Recipe below

Baked Ziti

Slow Cooker BBQ Cranberry Chicken

2 lbs boneless chicken breast

¼ cup dried minced onion

1 (16 oz) can whole cranberry sauce

1 cup BBQ sauce (I use Sweet Baby Rays)

Combine all ingredients in a gallon-sized freezer bag. Zip close and place in freezer. When ready to use thaw in fridge overnight. Empty contents into crock-pot and cook on high 3-4 hours or low 6-7 hours.

Slow Cooker Sausage & Peppers

12 oz pkg sausage, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

1 green pepper, diced

1 red pepper, diced

1 small onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 can Italian diced tomatoes

1 Tbsp Italian seasoning

Combine all ingredients in a gallon-sized freezer bag, zip close & place in freezer. When ready to use thaw in fridge overnight. Empty contents into crock-pot and cook on low 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Serve over rice.

Chicken Cacciatore 

1 lb chicken tenderloins

1 (26 oz) jar of chunky vegetable-style spaghetti sauce

1 zucchini, chopped

1 yellow squash, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

1 sweet onion, chopped

Place all ingredients in a resealable gallon-sized freezer bag and mix together. When ready to eat, remove from freezer and thaw in fridge for overnight - 24 hours. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Serve with cooked spaghetti noodles and garnish with cheese.

Jamaican Gumbo 

4-6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (whole or cut into pieces)

12 oz andouille or smoked sausage, sliced

1 yellow bell pepper, diced

1 red bell pepper, diced

3 stalks of celery, diced

1/2 a medium onion, diced

2 cloves of garlic, small diced or grated

14.5 oz can diced tomatoes

2 tablespoons Jamaican jerk seasoning blend

Place all ingredients in a resealable gallon-sized freezer bag. Mix together and zip bag closed. When ready to eat, remove from freezer and thaw in fridge overnight - 24 hours. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Ranch Pork Chops 

4-6 uncooked pork chops

1 envelope of dry ranch dressing mix

2 cans cream of chicken soup 

To prepare right away: Put all ingredients in slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours.

To freeze: Put all ingredients in gallon size freezer bag. To prepare, thaw overnight, then pour everything into the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours.