How long can I keep meals in the freezer?

[helpwithhouse]

Is anyone able to give me a wee help with this.
My husband is military is often goes away for a night or 2 at a time. We have a young baby and it’s just hit me that my diet is absolutely shocking when he’s away (I basically forget to eat, become starving then eat loads). I’m breastfeeding and have a very active baby. No family close by to help.

Next year he’s going away for 4 months and I’m going to make some meals for the freezer (like I did for when my baby was a newborn). However how long do meals like that last for in the freezer? If I’m starting now it would need to be there for up to 6 months. I’m thinking things like chilli, casseroles, soups, pasta sauces etc.
Also, if anyone has any ideas for food that’s easy to make in bulk and freezes well then please let me know. Or...slow cooker tips. Thanks!

This wouldn’t be every night, I would just be making enough for one or two meals a week. Then possibly stick to simple meals the rest of the time (and id cook proper meals when I’m able to 😀)

I would think 6 months would be fine. Cool the meals as quickly possible, then warm up to piping hot. I do this regularly as there are only 2 of us and we live in a warm country . I have Lakeland plastic boxes with interchangable lids, I chucked all the old tupperware
etc.

Mine stay in there for as long as needed till I eat them.

Have never really thought about dates - could be weeks, months, years. I am also rubbish at labelling so I get some interesting surprises every so often

Most stuff will keep for ages. Even if it's been in there too long it's quality that suffers rather than it becoming dangerous to eat

Thank you!!

Another one here that just leaves stuff in there indefinitely... although I did have a purge the other week and threw out anything more than 3 years old!!

Things in sauce freeze and reheat well. So in addition to the things you’ve already listed you can add curries. Cauliflower cheese also does surprisingly well. And I’ve also frozen paella and risotto although the texture is different afterwards but I didn’t mind it. Other things that work are lasagne, fish pie, shepherd’s pie etc.

It help to use the freezer grade heavy duty zip lock bags. Most of the damage comes from exposure to humid air when the freezer door is opened. Also make sure your freezer is keeping a really low set point. -18 C or below is best.

We use these bags. They are good for soups as well as sauces

Thank you both.
I’ll get those bags I think