Freezer Meal Prep Day! Make Ahead Meals For Your Sanity!

Take advantage of filling your freezer with meals ready for you and the family. It's time to prep some of our favorite recipes to fill the freezer when life gets bananas.
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[@reneebekas8977]

I have been watching Kimmy’s videos since my son was born 8.5 years ago. I was so scared to be a new mom and homemaker but Kimmy helped more than just about anyone help me figure it all out. If you’re a new mom and just discovering this channel, go back and check out the backlog!

[@melanieturner8500]

I love having quick meals in the freezer. I love watching your channel and getting time and money saving ideas.

[@veggielovinaccountant]

Okay, don’t judge me … but this girl might just take the pasta that gets mistakenly dumped into the sink back into my bowl. 🤷🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️ I don’t go get the ones that go down the drain, but hey this girl will use that pasta in the sink. 🤷🏼‍♀️🤣🍝

[@EdrinaCalderon]

Me too!!😂

[@PaulaAlbano-pc8lg]

I’m 100% Italian, always called it sauce but I’ve heard many Italians call it gravy, example Jeff Mauro from The Kitchen

[@tinaboggs5056]

Hi Kimmie, The sweet and sour meatballs look delicious. I love to add crumbled bacon to my macaroni and cheese. Egg salad is awesome! I recently received an ice cream machine as a gift and am looking forward to making my own ice cream.

[@micahsmom1883]

This is a great idea, I do my prep a little different, but same concept. We are 2 since the kids are gone so when I cook, I still do for a family and we either have leftovers or I then package it up into containers and freezer so that when I do not want to cook I can pull something out of the freezer, and we still have a home cooked meal. This cuts down on eating out on the spur of the moment, so it saves money, and we are eating what we love.

[@stephaniebriggs9346]

I love you cook the sausage and meatballs in the sauce. Way easier than cooking them separately!:)

[@jenniferwooley673]

Hi kimmy, I read an article the other day about shariacha sauce that there were not going to be making it for a year or so because of the weather and a shortage of the peppers they use. It said something about the peppers also have to sit for a while after they pick them. If it’s something your family loves you might want to stock up.

[@melodystull19]

Meatloaf and mashed potato sandwich yum

[@conniebrock]

I love your make ahead meals. Right now I don’t have any freezer room, but it’s only my husband and me.

[@rachalnocchi5600]

I got a good giggle over the spilled pasta in the sink part!😂 I can't tell you how many times I've done that too, SO aggrivating!❤ You and ma arguing about her gravy...too funny!🤣

[@paulaelves5160]

egg mayonaise with finely chopped tomatoes...could eat it all day ,put in a sandwich, here in england its called seaside sandwiches, because living on an island theres pretty much a beach near, so the seaside was a cheap sandwich/holiday treat often

[@jenihansen7201]

Thank you sweetheart. I love your freezer meal preps and your she's in her apron planners.

[@rachellinebaugh6163]

Line your sink with paper towels when draining pasta. I did that when I first learned how to make pasta. Saves it from being wasted. And drain SLOW-LY, SLOW-LY, SLOW-LY!!!!! The paper towel trick saved me so many times! And I never rinse any pasta! And save about 1 cup of the delish pasta water, too. It will keep your sauce from being too thick so it can mix in better. My late grandmother and mom taught me that trick. Now, for the meatloaf, I found that mixing a little ketchup into my meat mixture for the meatloaf works to keep it all moist while it's cooking. I always add liquid smoke, Worcestershire, kosher salt (tastes better than regular table salt), and freshly cracked black pepper to my mixture. And ketchup on top. I like to cook in the Faith and Flour batch cooking style. Cook Once Eat All Week cookbook by Cassie Joy Garcia is a favorite! But my best advice to you is to intentionally slow everything all the way down when you're in your kitchen. Turn on some Jim Brickman (instrumental piano), Kenny G, or my favorite, Gospel music, and just let yourself savor the moment of cooking and providing for your family. It's a gift and a blessing. Loved the meals!

[@niaree]

I’m moving soon and will be preparing my own lunches and meal prep so this is very helpful. Thank you ❤

[@angelabrockman7816]

I like the suctioning for the grease idea. Yummy looking meals! ❤

[@gailmerritt2393]

Love this!!!

[@johnmichelleschlicher3787]

I make several marinades and freeze with fresh chicken breasts. Can be made in crock pot, oven or grilled. I also make lasagna, chili, sloppy joes and taco meat. Thank you for your ideas!

[@janetdwyer1867]

Everything looks so delicious ❤

[@shesinherapron]

Thank you 😋

[@CissieC41]

I put mayonnaise, mustard, celery and cheddar cheese in my egg salad and eat it on toast. Really good.

[@mireksip180]

Just love your recipes and humorous approach!

[@deeanna3335]

Looks good!

[@rockymountainhomesteadangela]

That sauce/gravy is so yummy 😋

[@patbuegeler7770]

❤❤❤love these meals.

[@normaesteva3698]

Thank you for taking your time to show us these freezer meals recipes. Love your video. ❤

[@JanGrowsVeg]

Really good video ! Thanks so much 😊

[@shesinherapron]

Glad you liked it!

[@KathleenCanada7]

I love these make ahead meals. So easy and they look delicious too. Thank you ❤🇨🇦

[@carolwhisenhunt7504]

Love this

[@kellyfuller4298]

Good Job!!!❤️

[@witsonsmom729]

I've always thought it was a linguistic cultural pattern as to whether you say "gravy" or "sauce" like saying "soda" or "pop" depending on what part of the country you are from. Whatever it is, it looks delicious! I really like having these types of freezer meals on hand this time of year when its to hot to cook a lot or I'm exhausted from working in my garden. Homemade freezer meals win over store tv dinners, in my mind. I started putting pineapple in my Sloppy Joe's after having them this way at a restaurant, its good too.

[@kkat7512]

Always enjoy your videos & delish recipes. Tfs!!

[@lucindasutt7365]

As always delicious ideas Kimmy. Thanks😊

[@barb7014]

Great video; ❤ meal prep!

[@vbo9872]

Now I''m really really hungry. Thank you for this posting everything looks delicious.

[@lindaburris1968]

I have a daughter due with her 4th baby. The other kids are 5,3,and 2. Going to make some of these for her. Great ideas.

[@Stacey_95]

In my NY Italian household sauce is sauce, gravy is brown and goes on potatoes and we never buy budget pasta.

[@user-mp2yq5zi8x]

Totally Agree with you😊 Dorene Weiss

[@sarahalfaiz9299]

Get a sink colander for pasta and veggies! A) It reduces splash back. B) It stays stable on the sink! :)

[@sarahalfaiz9299]

It’s $18.99 on Amazon!

[@bonniewyzard4910]

I never would’ve thought to use a turkey baster to suck the grease out of the skillet!

[@BooopX]

I love to do freezer meals

[@sharonstaley2254]

I been doing this I'm going to try your foods now

[@user-mi6dj3xu9l]

Great video ❤

[@judigrant5723]

I make egg salad the same with one extra ingredient-about 3ounces softened cream cheese. We love it!

[@amybrevard3800]

So confused I have always called it sauce not gravy lol it’s funny the different traditions and names we all get passed down

[@kevinanddeb8829]

You need a stock pot that has the strainer piece included. When the pasta is done you just lift out the strainer full of pasta and dump the water.

[@lorriebell7997]

I love these ideas. I cook for two , it can be hard.

[@veggielovinaccountant]

I have all the fixings for some good ole vegetable soup (my favorite). So I am going to make that. I don’t have much freezer space in my little apartment, so I can only keep a few items in the freezer. I always keep canned soup on hand also for like a shelf stable alternative when I just need something quick.

[@jenniferwooley673]

Lays sour cream and onion potato chips crunched up on top. On a baked macaroni and cheese it’s so good.

[@OldCritters]

Great video Kimmy. As usual. 👍💞

[@terraranch1459]

Such a cute video. I really enjoyed watching and getting new ideas. Hugs❤

[@donna8212]

Hey Kimmy! Awesome video with all these great meals 😁. Great job! 👍🏻🕊️

[@shesinherapron]

Thank you Donna!

[@theothermrs.randle3416]

That was fun🥰🥰

[@shesinherapron]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

[@lindabeard488]

Great video. Love 💕 and Hugs. 💙💙💙

[@salonsavy6476]

Hi Kimmie ,, I need to meal plan low fat , low carb meals ,,thank you for this 👍🥰

[@chelinfusco6403]

I always look forward to these videos. I was wondering, would cauliflower rice work with the sweet and sour meat balls? My husband is diabetic now, and I need to cut back on carbs and sugar. But the sugar I can replace with no problem. I was just wondering if the rice could be replaced with the cauliflower rice. Come to think of it, would it a mushy mess? No matter, thanks for the video. I'm inspired.

[@jamiekendall7245]

I use melted butter panko bread crumbs and grated parmesan cheese. It gets soooo crispy. Everyone fights for the crust. I also make and cook my meatballs big and mini ones and freeze them minis are used for soups big ones for Sunday sauce or meatballs subs. I triple my chili recipe and save it for chili baked potatoes, Mexican lazagna and chili mugs with all the toppings.

[@kimthomson3761]

Love egg salad, we grew up with Miracle Whip instead of mayo and my mom always put a little yellow mustard in her egg salad. I love mine with a little bit of diced red onion as well. Try this 2 hard boiled eggs chopped up, 1/2 cup of 0 fat cottage cheese and 1/2 a tbsp of yellow mustard. Its a high protein snack. Its delicious. Also thats not gravy thats tomato sauce at least not for us Canadians lol. For us gravy is made from meat drippings some salt & pepper and cornstarch or flour to thicken. We just had sloppy joes tonight for dinner. I make the THM recipe and I have it on a cooked portobello mushroom instead of bread as I have to watch my carbs. My husband is a bit of a fussy eater and even he likes it on a mushroom as well.

[@sarahedwards7899]

I put bacon and tomato on my mac cheese, ❤

[@tinawilliams3059]

I’m need to find something besides plastic to freeze in. I would never heat it in the microwave either. I like the fact getting ahead. Love your channel.

[@kristic4472]

love having you and your cooking back. you always make me nervous when you fill your already huge pots almost to the top though!! LOL. Happy Summer!

[@silviamagda]

My MIL does that. 😅

[@annemariedewet7330]

New subscriber,I love the cooking videos.The gravy reminds me of a spaghetti sauce,it threw me for a loop because in South Africa (where I am) the gravy that you made is not a dish you see in South Africa.I love to watch cooking videos to get ideas for new dishes for my family.

[@jillcarlson2076]

I use more cheese as a topping. I really don’t like bread crumbs on my mac & cheese. I guess it’s what you’re used too. Thanks for sharing. 🦋🥰💕🙏

[@jillcarlson2076]

Hahaha 😂I remember that video!! So funny 😂

[@chunkofbutter75]

I love the pioneer woman sloppy joe recipe. But I make a manwich copycat. It includes sweet relish. But Usually mix half dill relish and half sweet relish. It makes it more savory like yours. Can’t wait to make everything. So life is a bit easier.

[@mehtarelingolien]

Spilled pasta in the sink gets scooped up and used. My sink is clean, and I refuse to waste food!

[@bethannyallup2288]

Cool

[@user-zx4jq9cs7f]

Taking notes for meal prepping before baby #3 comes in September!!

[@2009reinvention]

Can I come over for lunch? LOL Everything looks delicious and yummy. Thank you for taking time to tape these. My only concern is you putting plastic and saran wrap in the microwave. This is not a good idea as the plastics can leach into your foods. I don't want you or your family to get sick. I use wax paper or parchment to cover things in the microwave. Thank you for taking time to share your life with us. I love how real you are and always have been over the years. Hope you are enjoying your new home and gas stove. God bless!

[@julietannOsfan1972]

The meals look lovely. I didn’t realise that you could make sandwiches out of meatloaf. Sounds brill. I’ve never liked the taste of egg whites, so if my Mum ever made egg salad she would mix the eggs up in her mixer & add some Heinz salad cream, (A British favourite) that way I couldn’t taste the white. I love how people in the US say Worcestershire sauce. We say Worcester-sheer. Or just Worcester.

[@EricaD61]

Mushrooms are on sale this week. I'll be canning a few kgs of them. Meatloaf tonight and butter chicken over the weekend to get ahead in the freezer.

[@Cathy1223]

I put tiny bit of pickles and tiny bit of pickle juice!

[@celestya]

Thanks for sharing the delicious recipes. I'll be trying a couple at least! Big question though: Where did you get your wrap apron!?! I've been trying to find one for over a decade!

[@lorettawinsor3976]

It’s normal for a green pepper to turn red or orange bcuz that means it’s ripe. Trust me my dad is still a pro veggie farmer and he’s 81

[@ejo4squared01]

Nothing wrong with breadcrumbs to top Mac and cheese buuttttt since you asked… I’ve switched to crushing up cheezits and topping my Mac with crushed cheezits and have never gone back. The crunch and salty kick is to die for!

[@shesinherapron]

Yum!

[@wandahutchins222]

Two ideas for draining the pasta: put colander into the pot on top of the pasta and then flip over to drain or if you have a metal colander then put it into the water with the pasta and cook with it in the pot then you just lift it out to drain. Neither of these are my idea, saw them on other channels. 😊😊😊

[@helennix3998]

Have you ever made mac and cheese with mozzarella? Oh my word! I love mine baked.

[@shesinherapron]

I haven’t

[@nancyuren6456]

I have stainer in the sink. I was told NEVER to put pasta down the dish disposal. We have all done it!

[@johannaleverentz9141]

❤❤

[@juliespencer1164]

i usually make batch meals but my freezer is so full right now. xxx

[@taraeklof5407]

It all looks amazing. As soon as I clean my freezer, I'm making the sloppy joes.

[@jeanjohnson2402]

I’ve never tried frozen meatballs, do you really like them? I think they would be super convenient for me if they are tasty. I do make myself freezer meals plus extra for my elderly landlady, she just loves my meatloaf so I make sure she always has one or two in the freezer for her. I know she would love the sweet and sour meatballs ♥️🙏🏻🇨🇦

[@LeaveItBetter-CaitlynR]

I’ve never heard a tomato sauce called gravy before

[@bobbieasche1996]

gravy? we call it a sauce. Looks yummy

[@sharonstokes5209]

Do you have an easy way to shell the eggs without the shells being in a thousand tiny pieces and losing chunks of the white?

[@SeriousBeagle]

I promise I’m not trying to be contrary, but with very few exceptions the pre-shredded cheese is literally coated with corn starch, potato starch, tapioca starch or a combination of any one of the three. It’s not really “unhealthy “ unless you’re watching your carbs. The main reason it’s better to shred your own is because the added starch affects how the cheese melts.

[@heatherj3030]

It also has fungicides, but sliced and block cheese doesn't. To many fungicides in our diet can be problematic, like building up a tolerance to antibiotics, you can build up resistance to fungicide. If you have a fungal infection the medications might not work as well.

[@SeriousBeagle]

@@heatherj3030 This is true. But it’s always the very last ingredient so I’ve always assumed it was a very, very small amount. I actually prefer shredding my own cheese, but sometimes the pre-shredded is more handy for salads and such. I just think there’s a lot of misinformation about what’s in them. We (generally speaking) often get told things and never actually look into it ourselves.

[@sandragoss48]

It is not recommended to freeze egg salad mixture. It changes the texture & the eggs become rubbery.

[@mardwella]

💜💜💜💜💜

[@tooziefaloozie]

Loved you paying Paige her cheese tax 😂

[@shelliecummins5972]

Do you just reheat in the microwave kimmy??

[@dawndillon7043]

Definitely want to make the sweet and sour meatballs. There's no better smell than the smell of bacon 🥓

[@NAWennerholm]

You seriously need to get a strainer for your drain which will catch it. Make sure it is clean and then you can just dump it back in your pot. I keep some in my sink drain to keep things from going down ours. Just have to get after my brother about it. We have had to have maintenance snake our drains more than once. Since we live in public housing.

[@lmccarty2201]

Reserve the juice from the can pineapple to make the rice!

[@shesinherapron]

Cool idea!!

[@user-pq8nh4iv5b]

Buttered bread crumbs

[@sandrarutz6993]

Do you smash up the meat into the sauce?

[@jojoonsrud4519]

Will u please show again ur chicken orzo soup recipe? That one thats creamy. I cant access that site anymore. And i dont have the correct amount. Thank you.

[@aunthoney40]

I can't find the link to the sweet and sour meatballs recipe.

[@michellebemis4488]

I googled if you can freeze egg salad. It said while you technically can it is not recommended.

[@sherroncunningham7845]

I just looked it up it said it's not recommended to do that it causes the mayonnaise to separate

[@dawndillon7043]

Yep. If you don't mind watery egg salad I guess you could do it. 🤮

[@betterlivingonabudget]

Do you think that the mac & cheese could go straight into the freezer instead of baking it first?

[@shesinherapron]

No because of the egg

[@Broomrider1492]

You need another pot that your strainer will sit just in the top. I no long spill pasta in the sink.

[@shesinherapron]

Great tip!

[@susanb5640]

Another way is to put the strainer in the pot with the pasta, then pour off the water. The strainer will hold the pasta in the pot while the water drains away. Saw this on another channel & tried it !

[@kathyfischer5983]

I didn’t know you could refreeze cooked meatballs.