Source:FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Recently I was surprised to learn that many people are unaware that cheese can be frozen. Yes, you really CAN freeze cheese!

In my experience, most types of cheese actually freeze and thaw quite well. The only significant difference I have noted is that cheese frozen in a block tends to become crumbly, potentially making it unsuitable for use in uncooked dishes.

(Update: Lydia shared a method for freezing blocks of cheese without causing them to become crumbly. Check out her tips in the comment section below.)

Three ways to freeze cheese:

Shredded–Shredded cheese is definitely my top pick for freezing. By shredding the cheese before freezing, you can avoid the crumbly issue after thawing. I use my food processor to shred large quantities of colby or mozarella cheese (our family’s favorites). Then I loosely fill any size freezer bags, and remove as much air as possible without packing the cheese together. Occasionally I even take a few extra minutes to pre-measure the appropriate quantities of cheese for specific recipes.

Block–The only type of cheese that I typically freeze in a block is mozarella cheese. To shred after freezing, I thaw the cheese only partially, so that it is still firm enough to shred easily.

Sliced–Pre-sliced American cheese can be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then placed in a zipper bag for freezing. American cheese never lasts long enough to freeze at our house! However, I know others who have frozen it with good results.

What kinds of cheese have you frozen successfully?

Linked with Welcome Home Monday and Big Family Friday

I hope you’ve discovered how easy it is to cook large batches of ground beef for the freezer. Once you’ve experienced the convenience of using pre-cooked ground beef, you’ll want to be sure to have some in the freezer all the time!

Stumped for ideas on how to use pre-cooked ground beef? This list is for you!

10 Ways to Use Pre-Cooked Ground Beef

1. Sloppy joes
2. Chili
3. Spaghetti with meat sauce (add ground beef to Homemade Spaghetti Sauce)
4. Hamburger Vegetable Soup
5. Tator Tot Casserole
6. Tacos
7. Sloppy Joe Pizza
8. Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
9. Shepherd’s Pie
10. Baked Spaghetti

What favorite ground beef recipes would you add to this list?

Linked to Welcome Home Monday, Top Ten Tuesday, and Big Family Friday

After discovering the convenience of having pre-cooked ground beef in the freezer, I fell in love with the concept of “meal starters” that can be cooked ahead and frozen for later. Pre-cooked chicken, either shredded or chopped, has become one of my favorite meal starters to keep on hand.

How to cook chicken for the freezer:

Layer chicken in a slow cooker until it is about two-thirds full. Add a cup of water (or more, if you prefer more liquid). Cook on high for about four hours, or on low for about eight hours. Every slow cooker seems to have a mind of its own, so you may need to adjust the cooking time.

When the chicken is thoroughly cooked, remove to a plate or tray to cool. After the chicken is completely cool, chop or shred as desired.

Transfer chicken to freezer bags or freezer containers. You can check some of your favorite recipes to determine the amount to put in each bag or container.

Label each freezer bag with a permanent marker; if you are using plastic containers, you may want to use a different method for labeling. Lay flat to freeze.

Cooking chicken for the freezer is so simple, but is is such a timesaver on busy evenings!

What foods do you freeze to use as “meal starters”?

Linked to Welcome Home Monday, Better Mom Mondays, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Try a New Recipe Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday, and Works for Me Wednesday.

Rice is one of those foods that most people assume will not freeze well. However, both brown and white rice freeze and reheat beautifully!

How to cook rice for the freezer:

Measure out the amount of rice you plan to cook, and add the minimum recommended amount of water. For white rice, the typical ratio is 1-1/2 cups water to 1 cup rice. 

When the rice is done cooking, allow it to cool to room temperature.  Stirring occasionally will allow it to cool more quickly.

When completely cool, package the rice in quart-size freezer bags. After filling the freezer bags, remove as much air as possible and seal. Label each bag with a permanent marker. Lay flat in the freezer to freeze.

How to use pre-cooked frozen rice:

Pre-cooked rice can be used straight from the freezer. You may need to  run hot water over the bag just until the solid chunk of rice thaws enough to break up a little. Transfer rice to a microwave-safe bowl with a lid; add a teaspoon or two of water. Microwave until heated through. Fluff before serving.

The frozen rice tastes just as if it had been freshly cooked. And it’s super easy, too!

Linked to Welcome Home Monday and Works for Me Wednesday

Ground beef is one food that I always have in my freezer. It is versatile and family-friendly, making it a staple in my cooking.

When I finally noticed how frequently I was browning a pound or two of ground beef to add to various dishes, I started cooking a large batch and freezing the extra for future meals. Using pre-cooked ground beef from the freezer is such a time-saver on a busy night . . . and it reduces the amount of dirty dishes, too! Cheers from my children!

How to cook ground beef for the freezer:

Add the desired amount of ground beef to a large skillet (I use a Cuisinart Stainless 5-1/2-Quart Skillet to cook six or seven pounds of ground beef at one time). After cooking the meat, drain it well and allow it to cool to room temperature. Stirring the warm meat occasionally will help it to cool more quickly.

When the ground beef is cool, measure it into quart-size freezer bags or containers. The quart-size freezer bags will hold up to two pounds of cooked meat. If you turn down the top of the freezer bag an inch or so while filling, the zipper area will stay clean and will seal much more easily.

Use this handy measuring tip for ground beef: one pound is equivalent to two and one-half cups of cooked ground beef.

After filling the freezer bags with meat, remove as much air as possible and seal. Label each bag with a permanent marker. Lay flat in the freezer to freeze.

I love the convenience of pre-cooked ground beef! It makes my life as a homeschool mom so much easier.

Have you ever cooked ground beef for the freezer? What dishes do you prepare with pre-cooked ground beef?