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We recently bought a freezer, so we have been cooking some things ahead and freezing them. Not real gung ho yet, but getting there. I've cooked hamburger ahead for things like spaghetti and that seems to work really well. I don't mix the sauce with the meat until I'm ready to eat.
However, I tried to freeze some Hamburger Helper (I know, I know) to see what would happen. It came out as basically a big bowl of mush. Maybe I should do the same...cook the meat, freeze it and combine the ingredients when I'm ready to eat?
I don't think I've ever actually eaten Hamburger Helper, are there noodles in it? If so, it's best to keep the noodles separate from the sauce, they get mushy when frozen together. That's why if you buy something like those Bertolli pasta bags the sauce is frozen in little balls separate from the pasta.
I'm not good at freezing either, but we have a Food Saver and freeze fish, chicken, and some meats. It works well. Also, we get Perdue chicken at BJs and Costco. Their large packs of chicken (about 12 chicken breasts) are usually divided into packs of 2 and we just put them in the freezer as is. I've never had Hamburger Helper, so I don't know how that would freeze, but you should be able to freeze soups, chili, and spaghetti sauce. Don't freeze noodles and anyway, they only take a few minutes to prepare.
I'm betting it's because of the pasta. For me, freezing pasta is hit or miss so usually I don't do it. Matter of fact, lasagna is the only pasta I've had consistent success with when it comes to freezing.
Matter of fact, lasagna is the only pasta I've had consistent success with when it comes to freezing.
That's true, I've never had issues with lasagna. I remember on one of the cooking reality shows (Next Food Network Star, or something like that) a few years ago they had a challenge with making a freezable pasta dish. Half of them failed because they froze the pasta and sauce together instead of separately. I also noticed that the Healthy Choice bowls are a lot better than any other of the HC or Lean Cuisine pasta dishes, because the pasta cooks separately and then you add sauce.
So the noodles were the culprit. Thanks. That makes sense now. I did freeze some cooked spaghetti (we have a food saver) in one pouch and the sauce in another, which turned out really good. Thanks again for the tip!
I'm not good at freezing either, but we have a Food Saver and freeze fish, chicken, and some meats. It works well. Also, we get Perdue chicken at BJs and Costco. Their large packs of chicken (about 12 chicken breasts) are usually divided into packs of 2 and we just put them in the freezer as is.
Frozen poultry is perfect for 'dump recipes'. Come home from the store, put your marinade of choice in the bag with the frozen chicken and reseal. Would suggest you label it, if you have several bags with different marinades. Throw into the freezer. When you want to use it, it marinades while defrosting. Or you can cook the frozen block in a crock pot. If you buy beef or pork fresh, throw it into a bag with marinade (I usually double bag mine) and freeze.
I actually seal my dump chicken 2 pieces to a baggie - perfect for single people. Defrost while you're at work, and then thrown on the grill or in the pan.
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