March 21, 2018 by Mulberry Maids
Busy – we all are, but it shouldn’t be an excuse to eat poorly. Below are some of the best nutritious meals to prepare ahead of time to freeze, and just thrown in the oven for a no work dinner! While taking the time to prepare these meals does take some time, it pays dividends during your busy work and parenting week.
Bonus hack – the more freezer space you have, the more the pre-work pays out in the future. Making one small dish is usually the same amount of work as making three. Do yourself a favor and make in bulk. You can reduce your work by only having to prep a meal once, yet you can get multiple dinners out it. Even better, leave the cutting and chopping to your kids!
1 – Lasagna – While not always known as a “health food”, lasagna can be made to be healthy, and it freezes very well. To ramp up the nutritional value, use whole wheat noodles and cut down (or out) on the beef. Instead of loading on the cheese, use more veggies within each layer, such as finely shredded broccoli, squash, and zucchini in a food processor. You can even experiment with using cottage cheese instead of ricotta cheese.
Lasagna in a dish ready to freeze.
2 – Spinach and Chicken Enchiladas – Simple and effective, enchiladas satisfy even the pickiest eaters! To keep the nutrition value high, use less cheese in your mix and more vegetables. Mushrooms, onions, fresh tomatoes, and of course spinach make a great combo. Use whole wheat or lower carb tortillas as well for a less carb heavy dish, along with light pan fried chicken breast for the perfect chicken flavor.
3 – Breakfast Burritos – Better for you than donuts or sugary breakfast cereals, a breakfast burrito keeps you powered through till lunch time. Like the enchiladas, a lower carb or whole wheat tortilla can be used to keep the carbs at bay, and as always, extra veggies go a long way. Peppers, onions, and mushrooms add great flavor. Keep the cheese and meat light (notice a trend here!), and enjoy your breakfast!
Breakfast burritos – easy, quick, and tasty!
4 – Chili – The possibilities with chili are endless. Bonus tip – make double the recipe in a crock pot before work. Hot dinner will be ready when you get home, and you can freeze the other half to have for another dinner. Don’t stress too much with what you have available to put in the chili – virtually any combination of beans, vegetables, and meat will work to create a great pot of chili. Freeze and re-cook, top with some cheese and you have a classic hearty meal in no time.
5 – Chicken Noodle Soup – Another classic for everyone. For great chicken flavor, don’t just use chicken breast. Mix in some dark chicken for some added fat and flavor. Just remember, don’t add the noodles until the soup is almost done cooking, and if freezing, do not add the noodles until you reheat the frozen soup, so the noodles don’t turn to mush.
Hot bowl of chicken noodle soup – a classic!
What other favorites do you have? Add them to the comments section, or tag us on your favorite social media platform with your favorite dish to freeze and we will give you 10% off your next cleaning!