Your future self will thank you! Thaw in the refrigerator, then warm with marinara in a sauce pan. Get the Raisin-Walnut Coffee Cake recipe . Summertime favorites are even better when shared with friends and family. Drain, and slice. Seniors need to be aware of their changing bodies and what nutrients they need for optimal continued health. But the best part of having all or most of your meal prep out of the way? . Breakfast is the most important meal of the day so having something thats ready to pop right into the oven can help you start your day right. These 4th of July appetizers are top-rated crowdpleasers don't expect leftovers. Once the food is warmed all the way through, your loved one can give it a couple of minutes to cool off and eat it directly from the mason jar or they can carefully spoon the contents onto a separate plate. Chicken Tetrazzini as seen on . Plus, some of . For an even faster fix, freeze it in single portions up to three months. This cozy, comforting soup comes together quickly, thanks to the air fryer. While any meal could technically be made ahead, some dishes are especially well-suited to a little extra fridge or freezer time: think stews, casseroles and grain bowl fixings. CON POULOS; FOOD STYLIST: VIVIAN LUI. The wonderful lists of chicken marinades are especially great. And if you're a caregiver to a senior, it can be challenging to find healthy meals that will go over well. Slow-Cooker Freezer-Pack Gumbo. Sign up for our weekly newsletter and never miss a new article: www.ayudacare.com. Were moms, cookbook authors, and freezer cooking evangelists. But as we age, it can be difficult to find the time, energy and motivation to cook healthy meals at home. Freezer meals are meals that are made in advance and then placed in the freezer to be used at a later date. batch to freeze for. Drew Anne Salvatore is the Senior Food Editor in the Hearst Lifestyle Group, whipping up tasty food stories across Good Housekeeping, Womans Day, Womens Health, and Prevention magazines. She's a graduate of the French Culinary Institute and author of the cookbooks. All of our 25+ soups and chilis, except the ones with tortellini or noodles, would work well. For senior needs, storing food in the freezer can make life much easier. Get the Katie Lee's Summer Pesto Pasta recipe. Once the food is cool, carefully spoon a portion into each bag, seal it most of the way shut, and then remove the excess air by pressing gently on the bag or by gently inhaling through a straw placed in the opening. Help Around the Kitchen Main Videos The Rules of Make-Ahead-and-Freeze Meals With this extensive guide, there's no need for you to er freeze up. Taste of Home is America's #1 cooking magazine. FOOD STYLIST: VIVIAN LUI. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burritos. This post may contain affiliate or sponsored links. Finally, a freezer make-ahead meal that's ready in literally minutes, all thanks to your microwave! We've got no beef with lentils in our meatballs, especially when they're this good. Depending on the recipe, youll often have to scale it up to make enough for your loved one to enjoy for weeks to come. Find your favorite celebratory snack or starter right . When all you have time for is a quick reheat in the oven, these delicious lasagnas, soups, enchiladas, pot roasts and more will get to the table in a flash. Get the Recipe: Freezer Bag Chicken Fajita Stir-Fry. She has a degree in Journalism and French from Washington and Lee University in Virginia, and took classes at the French Culinary Institute of New York. You can use free online meal-sharing calendars like Meal Train, which is interactive and includes a built-in invitation feature, email reminders, and more. Freezing in single servings is best solution. As co-founder of Thriving Home, Pollys passionate about helping busy parents get dinner on the table. For a busy caregiver, they make a tasty on-the-go breakfast. 2023 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Find a Sunrise Discover Your Local Sunrise. This quick Thai-inspired red curry is filled with sweet potatoes, chickpeas, and baby spinach, and made creamy with coconut milk. If the food is something that tends to get soggy in the microwave (like frittata or bready casseroles), you have several options. An online search will turn up even more tips and techniques for freezing individual portions. Luckily for you, there are make-ahead meals for every kind of diet and occasion whether you're cooking for vegetarians, gluten-free eaters, or simply a family of picky eaters. When ready to cook, remove the plastic and foil and transfer it right back to the dish before baking. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat in a large saucepan, covered, on medium, about 10 minutes (if it starts to dry out, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup water or chicken broth). As we age, our metabolism slows and fewer calories are needed to stay healthy. She'll roll up her sleeves to try any new recipe in the kitchenfrom spicy Thai dishes (her favorite!) This galette is made from refrigerated, rolled pie crust, which easily freezes once baked. These juicy meatballs fry up in as little as ten minutes, and keep beautifully in the fridge or freezer. RELATED: 70 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Lunch, Dinner and Everything in Between. Make ahead meals for seniors and freeze them can be a great way for seniors to stay busy and not spending a lot of time cooking every day. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. This easy egg bake comes together with whatever meat, cheese, or veggies you have in the fridge. We independently select these productsif you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. Cover and let cook for 4 - 5 hours on low, or 2 - 3 hours on high. Then, thaw and warm up. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. When ready to eat, bake from frozen, adding 10 to 15 minutes to the cooking time. Not only has each recipe been vetted and approved by the experts in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, but we're also offering tips and techniques to help you flawlessly execute batch-cooking, freeze-ahead meals, ready-to-serve dinners and grab-and-go breakfasts and lunches. Bake this sweet cake topped with a crunchy walnut, brown sugar, and cinnamon streusel on Sunday, and enjoy it for breakfast and snacks all week long. Easy Recipes for Seniors Who Live on Their Own Check out more of our delicious and budget-friendly slow cooker recipes. Quartering the cauliflower, rather than cutting it into florets, allows this vegetarian meal to simmer all day in the slow cooker without it becoming mush. We've turned the classic spinach and mushroom omelet into a delicious breakfast sandwich that you can enjoy anytime. Eating right is hard, but as you age, a variety of factors make it even more difficult, including: Cooking for or with your loved one is great, but the food only lasts for a meal, maybe two, counting leftovers. Spread on a shallow roasting pan. Cook fully and freeze in small portions. Meal Train Ideas: Making Meals for Neighbors in Need - Allrecipes Spinach and Artichoke Chicken Casseroles. When she's not busy thinking of her next meal, Rachel can be found practicing yoga, going for a run, exploring National Parks and traveling to new-to-her cities across the country. Get My Meal Plans NOW! To reheat, simply remove foil and microwave until heated through, 3 to 5 minutes. Keep a batch or two of this hearty chili in in the freezer for easy weeknight meals. Before you began to make your freezer meals you will need a couple of things. Make-Ahead Spinach and Mushroom Breakfast Sandwiches, Matt Armendariz She regularly contributes to Cosmopolitan, Womans Day, Good Housekeeping, and YouGov, among other publications. Have leftover pasta? Have a question? Mason Jar Salmon Salad - This salmon salad is a great option for a healthy and satisfying lunch or dinner. You can substitute the ground beef . From slow cooker chicken burrito bowls to red lentil soup to juicy boneless chicken thighs, these are our 18 most popular make-ahead meals. We then spooned it into the containers to freeze! Freezer Breakfast Panini. Chicken Beef Pork and Turkey Seafood Pizza, Pasta, and More Soups and Chilis From Freezer to Table: Freezer Meals for Two From Freezer to Cooker: Recipes for 1-2 People Freezer cooking is incredibly versatile and useful for all stages of life. While noodles are boiling, heat up tomato soup in a medium pot. I hope that helps some. Slow cookers are great for making big-batch meals ahead of time. Cookie and Kate focuses on nutritious vegetarian recipes, but dont let the lack of meat scare you! 04 of 30 Linguine with Creamy Mushroom Sauce These individual-size casseroles taste just like everyones favorite appetizer: spinach and artichoke dip. Cheesecake is one of our favorite make-ahead desserts: Unlike pies or cakes, this fridge-friendly recipe wont get stale or soggy as it sits. Walking into the kitchen at the end of the day knowing that dinner is prepped, cooked, and just waiting to be reheated feels like a total treat. Get the Recipe: 2 cups of fresh pineapple (or one can of chunk pineapple) 1 TBSP honey 1/2 cup milk (feel free to use a dairy substitute!). We recommend our users to update the browser. Chicken Cacciatore. They're easy to store in the freezer and can be customized to your loved one's preferences and dietary needs. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7e413058af4f7d2b We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. Get the Spaghetti and Air Fryer Meatballs recipe. Rees easy breakfast casserole can stay in the freezer for up to two months so make one (or two!) Discovery, Inc. or its subsidiaries and affiliates. Hamburger steak is the ultimate ground beef Sunday supper. Simply spoon single servings of your dish into each Mason jar, leaving a bit of room at the top, since many foods expand as they freeze. 01 of 55 Picnic Egg Salad Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele It's all in the name! We recommend our users to update the browser. These vegetarian wraps are hearty and satisfying and good in your freezer for up to 3 months. Fiesta Mac and Cheese. Best Fourth of July Appetizers - Allrecipes The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Now that youve finished eating, you have to decide on the best way to package and store the food for maximum convenience. While make-ahead freezer meals require some cooling and defrosting, it's important that foods always stay within a safe range of temperatures. Chicken Pot Pie. Taste for seasoning. You want the container to be as airtight as possible to preserve freshness, so squeeze out any extra air from your plastic bags and pack your Tupperware tightly to the top. Lets make the most of your time in the kitchen! I have a question. Nutrition and Make-Ahead Meals for Seniors - 2nd Family 142.4.16.155 We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Freezer Bag Chicken and Broccoli. This is the best chicken potpie recipe to have on hand when company comes over. 15 Delicious Freezer Meals For Seniors That Can't Be Missed Sort by There are no results that match your search parameters. But as the generally healthier alternative, it's important - especially for seniors! Reduced sodium and sugar? batch to freeze for later. Heres everything you should know when freezing soup! Freezer Meal Recipes Stuffed shells are the perfect make-and-freeze meal and these are the ones Ree stocks in her own freezer. Talk to your doctor to learn more about what your diet needs to keep you feeling energized and happy. Get the Recipe: 100+ Best Freezer Meals on the Planet - Thriving Home Please read our disclosure policy. One way to figure out the correct measurements is simply to multiply all the ingredients in the recipe by 2, 3, or 4 (depending on how many servings youre trying to make). Plus, once you get the hang of it, you can keep a variety of different foods stocked in your loved ones refrigerator and freezer so that they have options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Get the Recipe: Add this to your meal plan for next Monday because the beauty of brisket is that it is even better when made ahead of time. Get the Recipe: It's easy to see why this is the number one favorite recipe of Budget Bytes readers. To make and freeze them ahead of time, prep them as directed, but do not bake. Make-ahead Meal Ideas for Caregivers and Seniors Meal prepping can sometimes be difficult and that is why it is better that you prepare meals for multiple days, especially if you have an elderly in the house. Wed highly recommend making a double batch. Below are well-tested recipes that will successfully work for smaller portioned freezer meals. You can test out how long it takes a cup to reheat by doing a trial run at your house. Get the Recipe: Coat tilapia in the crusted chips (do not cook), then freeze until firm and transfer to a freezer-safe container up to three weeks. 1 can of condensed tomato soup 1 1/2 cups of egg noodles (feel free to add more noodles!) Get the Recipe: A day later, when your loved one is ready to eat, they should remove the metal lid, pop the jar in the microwave, and heat! 51 Easy Freezer Recipes That Reheat Beautifully - Southern Living Get more tips for freezing food. Cook from frozen at 425F until warm and cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain off fat, reserving about 2 tablespoons. Nutrition is an important part of living a healthy lifestyle, which is why make-ahead meals for seniors are a great idea. Prepare this slow cooker dinner on Sunday, then stash it in the fridge and gently reheat it in the oven before serving. Make an extra batch of meatballs and freeze for future enjoyment! Spring for the bigger package and slow cook a big batch of white chicken chili or chicken noodle soup to freeze. Get the Soba Noodle Salad with Shrimp and Ginger Vinaigrette recipe. Go to Recipe 2 / 18 Dill, parsnips, carrots, and onion lay down a beautiful base. Then use the overhangs to lift the casserole out of the dish in one piece. Opt for the recipes with the least amount of work from freezer to plate, since the goal is to save your loved one the trouble of working too hard in the kitchen. I don't make bolognese nearly as often as I'd like, but when I do I always make a double batch. There are four major steps to cooking in advance. Once you finish cooking, there are a few options. Your freezer is not just the land where old food goes to die.