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Your New Kitchen Helper
Make dinner easy with a little planning—and some help from your freezer. Using your freezer adds flexibility to your meal planning.
SEE THE RECIPE
by
Kim
by
Kim
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Make dinner easy with a little planning—and some help from your freezer. Using your freezer adds flexibility to your meal planning. When you’re making tonight’s dinner, add a little more pasta or brown an extra pound of beef. You can freeze the leftover ingredients and save yourself a step on a hectic weeknight. Here are some ideas to get you started.
How to Freeze | How to Use | Suggested Recipes | |
---|---|---|---|
Pasta | Toss 1 pound of cooked pasta with 1 to 2 teaspoons of oil to prevent sticking. Store desired amount in a resealable plastic freezer bag or food storage container with lid. Freeze for up to 2 months. | Put pasta in microwave-safe dish or container. Cover and microwave on High (100%) for 1 to 2 minutes per 2 cups of pasta, or until hot. | ![]() Spaghetti & Turkey Meatballs |
Rice | Store desired amount of cooked rice in resealable plastic freezer bags or a food storage container with lid. Freeze for up to 6 months. | Put rice in microwave-safe dish or container. Add 1 tablespoon water for each cup of rice. Cover and microwave on HIGH (100%) for 1 to 2 minutes, or until rice is hot. | ![]() Quick Turkey Saute |
Ground Beef | Brown ground beef (you can add seasonings or onions for flavor). Cool slightly. Place desired amount of cooked ground beef in a freezer bag or food storage container with lid. (Most recipes use about 2 cups.) Freeze for up to 6 months. | Put ground beef in the refrigerator the night before use. Reheat in microwave or incorporate into recipe, omitting the browning step. Suggested uses: Add to spaghetti sauce, use in casseroles or in tacos. | ![]() Taco Calzones |
Fresh Herbs | Fresh herbs can be chopped and kept frozen in small freezer-proof bags for up to 6 months. | Herbs will retain their flavor, but will wilt and discolor after freezing, so use them only in cooked dishes. | ![]() Tortellini Garlic Tomato Soup |
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