Those of you freezing food.

[avasmom]

Do you guys get the food all prepared and then freeze them so you just need to cook them or do you cook them and then freeze and then just put in the oven for warming? Just wonder if one works better.
I'm thinking of making some lasagna, breakfast casserole, and green chili enchiladas but wasn't sure if I bake them all the way and then freeze or put it all together and freeze.
Thanks!

[lunabelly]

I'm cooking extra large meals for us now and then freezing the leftovers, so mine are cooked completely.

[MamaAcorn]

Most of mine are cooked as well. Lasagna I would assemble and freeze, skipping the oven part.

I underbaked my scones a bit, and I plan on making some homemade cookie dough to freeze.

[sparkprincess]

Originally Posted by lunabelly

I'm cooking extra large meals for us now and then freezing the leftovers, so mine are cooked completely.

Same here. It's easier to freeze leftovers than it is to prepare totally separate meals, imho.

[Yo Becca]

I've frozen a lasagne and bean casserole - both need to be baked. I assembled (which required some cooking of the ingredients) then wrapped and froze them. I also bought some freeze-ables (a few loafs of bread, some organic pot pies, a frozen pizza, some chicken for DH). I personally find it easier to freeze casseroles pre-baked (and they taste better when defrosted then cooked). But freezing leftovers is a great idea also!

[didkisa]

Originally Posted by lunabelly

I'm cooking extra large meals for us now and then freezing the leftovers, so mine are cooked completely.

Ditto here. I put them in small containers so I only have to nuke a serving or two at a time. I've done this before and it works pretty well for us.

[amj'smommy]

I haven't even started :

[lunadoula]

It depends on the dish - for lasagna if you are freezing it you don't even need to cook the noodles if you use a generous amount of sauce (I'm serious! I do it all the time and it turns out *great* and it's so much easier than cooking all those noodles! Same goes for manicotti.). Then I usually thaw it before baking, but you can bake it from freezing. Ditto for meatloaf (I have always thawed this before baking but again, you just make the meatloaf and freeze it raw, just make sure it gets to a hot enough temperature when you bake it). I also made individual shepard's pies and those I cooked everything but then did not do the final baking stage.

I've also had great success in freezing cooked chicken and mashed potatoes in gravy - the gravy keeps everything nice and moist. Just don't freeze potatoes that aren't mashed or pureed - chunks of potatoes (alone or in soups) break apart and are icky when defrosted and reheated.