Family meals that can be frozen and reheated in microwave

[MooseyMoo]

We're having our kitchen ripped out beginning of April and will only have access to a microwave to heat our meals.

So, I'm trying to think of complete family meals that can be cooked now and frozen and reheated in microwave. I can only think of Massamam curry at the moment. My problem is I'm never sure what is OK to freeze ie cheese sauce.

Any ideas for us? We've got lots of plastic tubs to freeze food in and a freezer in the garage that is currently empty.

[SantanaBinLorry]

Pretty much everything.
Cheese sauce is fine, yogurty sauces not so much, they can split on defrost.
Also, sack off the plastic tubs... freeze in plastic bags lined in the dish you will reheat in. Tie a not in the top. When it s frozen you can remove from dish. No wasted freezer space, easy to stack, less washing.
I froze a whole 6 person pealla in its own flat pan. Will flip out straight into pan to defrost and cook on easy tea night.

[Seeline]

Cheese sauce is fine to freeze - either just on its own, or in eg macaroni cheese.
I also freeze bolognaise sauce (have it with jackets rather than spaghetti if you don't have a hob)
chilli
shepherds/cottage pie
lasagne
moussaka
pasta bakes

I usually portion things before putting in the freezer. It makes it easier to defrost/reheat

[SantanaBinLorry]

ah, sorry just see microwave bit, so no paella pan!
But same principle applies.

Check out the toastie maker recipe thread too. Three course meals on two griddles, genius!

[QforCucumber]

[http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/pork-recipes/pork-meatloaf-spaghetti-sauce/]

This freezes fantastically and can be reheated

[MooseyMoo]

Thanks for the suggestions.

Santana Never thought to freeze in bags before The paella sounds lovely

Seeline Never thought to freeze a pasta bake either and I cook those a lot.

Q Oooh, like the look of that recipe.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Please keep them coming.

[SantanaBinLorry]

old catering trick Plastics get manky/lose lids after a while especially if you are microwaving tomatoey sauces. Cheap free tie ing bags do the job, mold to your chosen dish.

You can freeze plain al dente pasta/spaghetti. Make sure it is cold and lightly oiled before you put in freezer bag. Once defrosted reheat by soaking in jug of boiled water. Blast in micro for 2-4 mins.

[PhoenixReisling]

I'm having an OP soon, so have been filling up my freezer with food, so that I won't have to cook much whilst recovering.

All stews/bologanaise/tomato/chilli/curry sauces can easily be re-heated by the microwave.

You could also buy microwave rice pouches/pasta, to serve with the above. Also try jacket potatoes, frozen mash, steamed bags of vegtables.

Have you considered buying a camp fire stove? You could buy a gas canister for the gas, the stoves are quite cheap (one or two rings) and can be bought from Argos etc? It might be good to buy to heat/make pasta etc.

[PhoenixReisling]

I always use bags when freezing as I find I can fit more into my freezer as they can be stacked on top of each other.