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Prepare Meals Ahead for Sickness

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Last Updated on April 7, 2023 by Ellen Christian

If you need to prepare meals ahead of time, try freezer cooking. This baked macaroni and cheese recipe is one of my favorite freezer cooking recipes.

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Prepare meals ahead for sickness - Freezer Cooking Baked Macaroni & Cheese

Prepare Meals Ahead for Sickness

Most of the time, I really enjoy cooking.  I look forward to spending time in the kitchen and trying new recipes.  I cook from scratch using healthy, whole ingredients for the most part.  

There are nights that I really don’t want to be in the kitchen though, especially when I’m sick.  If I don’t plan ahead for sickness, I’m tempted on those nights to pick up a few frozen pizzas and call it an evening.

Since that isn’t great for our health or my budget, I try hard to be prepared just in case.

Why make meals ahead?

My kids are 16 and 20 and while they are old enough to cook, it’s not something that they do regularly enough to be able to put a meal together.  My husband’s cooking skills are better than theirs but he would still rather turn to frozen pizza or take out than make dinner.  

When Marty and I are both sick (like now), I want to have something prepared  just in case. I’m fairly certain that neither kid would be impressed with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for dinner.

When I prepare meals ahead for sickness, I try to pick meals that are the kids’ favorites.  That way, there is no added stress in case someone decides they absolutely will not eat mushrooms, tomatoes or who knows what.

Mac and cheese freezer meal

My homemade baked macaroni and cheese recipe is by far one of the kids’ favorite meals.  They come back for seconds and thirds every time.

Casseroles can be made ahead and then frozen for future use so it was the perfect choice to prepare meals ahead for sickness.

Prepare meals ahead for sickness - Freezer Cooking Baked Macaroni & Cheese

Handi Foil Containers

When I’m sick, the last thing I want to have to deal with is a sink full of dishes.  Handi-Foil containers are the perfect solution. Handi-Foil has an eco-friendly line of products called Eco-Foil. Eco-Foil is made from 100% recycled aluminum, but it is also 100% recyclable after use.

They are very sturdy and go easily from freezer to oven with no hassles. The 13×9 size was the perfect size for two hungry teenagers to have seconds or thirds.

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      Yield: 4

      Freezer Cooking - Baked Macaroni & Cheese

      Prepare meals ahead for sickness - Freezer Cooking Baked Macaroni & Cheese

      If you need to prepare meals ahead of time, try freezer cooking. This baked macaroni and cheese recipe is one of my favorite freezer cooking recipes.

      Prep Time 20 minutes
      Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
      Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes

      Ingredients

      • 6 tbsp organic butter (local if you can)
      • 1 lb (16 oz) organic pasta
      • 1/4 cup flour
      • 5 cups organic, grass fed milk
      • salt & pepper to taste
      • 1 block of grated organic extra sharp Cheddar cheese
      • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (make sure it's fresh not from the can)
      • 1 cup seasoned Panko bread crumbs (or make your own)

      Instructions

      1. Cook the pasta 2 minutes less time than in the package directions. Drain & set aside.
      2. Melt the butter in a large pot. Add the flour and cook stirring for about 2 minutes until it thickens. This is called a roux.
      3. Add the milk, salt and pepper and stir constantly until it gets creamy. This takes about 10 minutes. You now have a bechamel sauce.
      4. Remove from the heat and stir in the cheese until it is melted.
      5. Put the pasta in a Handi-Foil 9x13 pan. Carefully add the cheese sauce and stir until well combined. It will seem to have extra sauce.
      6. Sprinkle the seasoned Panko bread crumbs over the top.
      7. You can now either cook the baked macaroni and cheese in a preheated 350F oven for 30 minutes OR place the top on the Handi-Foil container and place it in the freezer for future use.
      8. When you want to cook it, remove it from the freezer in the morning and let thaw in the refrigerator all day. Remove the plastic top. Bake 350F for 60-75 minutes. You may need to cover the top part way through to prevent burning.

      Nutrition Information:

      Yield:

      8

      Serving Size:

      1
      Amount Per Serving: Calories: 312Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 524mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 1gSugar: 9gProtein: 13g

      Did you make this recipe?

      If you make this, tag me on Instagram so I can see @ellenblogs

      © Ellen Christian
      Cuisine: American / Category: Entree

      65 thoughts on “Prepare Meals Ahead for Sickness”

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      8. I need to start freezer cooking. I always think about it but need to make plans to make it happen. It would be so nice to have ready made meals. 

        Reply

      11. YUM! That Mac N Cheese looks amazing!!! It’s always nice to be able to freeze things too and have them on hand for when you need them!

        Reply

      12. I love being able to prepare a meal, eat it that night for dinner and then store the second half (separate dish) aside as a freezer meal. This recipe looks great!!

        Reply

      13. Oh my! Ellen that loos so good! I really need to start making freezer meals for us to eat on crazy busy days. We are depending too much on restaurant food. Even if it’s healthier take out it’s still better to be eating at home!

        Reply

      14. I haven’t prepared for that specific reason, but I generally freeze TONS of food and sickness is one of the times when I’m most grateful I did.

        Reply

      17. This is definitely something I need to work on.  I am always in a hurry and have no idea what to cook for supper.  Thanks for the recipe:)

        Reply

      18. Looks delicious.. I’m planning on making freezer meals this weekend, think this will be on my list..thanks for sharing, love the recipe and can’t wait to try it

        Reply

      19. I really like this idea of making freezer meals just in case you get under the weather and need a meal. Everyone loves Mac & Cheese so this would also make a great meal for a sick friend or neighbor. Plus, with the Handi-Foil container I wouldn’t have to worry about getting my dish back.  I’ll have to get some of the containers to send food to college with my kids, too.

        Reply

      20. Getting sick is EXACTLY why I make some freezer meals!! I mean… they would all just wither up and starve if not, right?? 🙂

        Reply

      22. Mac and Cheese is a perfect comfort food. My kids will only eat the homemade kind. I never thought about being able to make and freeze it ahead. Good to know! 

        Reply

      24. I should start “freezer cooking” it would come in very handy on days were I am either feeling bad or we are way too busy. Plus, who doesn’t LOVE mac ‘n cheese?!

        Reply

      26. Ellen, we so needed this over the last week or so. We’ve not really been following our menu, dealing with this flu; neither of us have felt like cooking. This is a great idea, and I may spend some time creating some casserole freezer meals in the near future. Might even come in handy other times. This sounds so good right now, by the way. 

        Reply

      32. Thanks for sharing how to make it freezer-friendly!!! I am always looking for quick meals like this, and I don’t buy boxed stuff so this will help out on nights I don’t want to cook forever! 

        Reply

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