Frozen dinner containers/plates

[MYellowRose]

Does anyone here know where I can buy the small plastic plates/containers that frozen dinners come in? I'd prefer the ones that can be used in either a microwave or conventional oven. The can have dividers in them or just be one section, doesn't matter to me.

Many of the recipes I want to make up are for 4 to 8 servings so I'd like to make up my own frozen dinners from the extras. Any suggestions would be sincerely appreciated.

[MYellowRose]

I have a few of these that I've washed and saved from small dinners I get from food pantries, so far I've got three that had Stouffer's Four cheese and mushroom macaroni in them. The Michelina's meals come in a coated cardboard box so I have to take it out and put it in an oven safe dishto heat it up.

[MYellowRose]

These Google ads are fantastic! I found what I want on one of them and can order just one case. Since they come either 150 or 250 to a case one case will last me an indefinite amount of time as they are reusable. Yeah, now I just have to come up with the money for a case or two. I may watch and just order what I want when they go on special.

[NCLee]

In the meantime, why not use the paper version of small hot beverage cups to freeze small portions. If you don't have the lids, cover with plastic wrap. (If the lids are perforated, cover the opening with freezer tape or wrap with plastic wrap.)

Then, you can mix and match when it comes time to eat. You can also freeze in any small plastic food safe plastic container with a lid, such as yogurt cups. Just run water over the sealed container, if it doesn't release. Put on a plate or in a bowl for the microwave. Or in/on an oven safe container.

IMHO, that'll be easier than trying to come up with a full meal for each "plate" that goes into the freezer. Just portion the leftovers into serving size containers.

To make it easier to store in the freezer, use appropriate sized containers to keep the types of foods separated. Perhaps a shoebox sized one for veggies, or a gallon ziplock to hold pint ziplock bags that contain a porkchop, for example.

A muffin tin is a good way to freeze serving size portions of things like soup. Once frozen, like ice cubes, pop them out and store in a ziplock bag.

If you like stewed tomatoes, make a big batch, when you have the ingredients. Freeze it in muffin tins. Then, you'll have a good supply in the freezer to go along with those green beans you have in coffee cups and the ziplocked hamburger patty.

Just some thoughts that you may find useful, while waiting until you can order the plates that you want. Hope it helps.

Lee

[MYellowRose]

Thanks Lee. I've been washing and saving all the containers I can. One place I like to eat serves their soup in a pint bowl that has a snap on lid. I always ask for a lid"in case I don't eat it all", I've got two or three of the bowl/lid combos. When DD buys Lunchables for the gorls I like to get the kits with BumbleBee chicken salad or the wraps that come in a clear plastic box with a snap on lid so I've got 4 or 5 of those. I need to ask the neighbor and her friend who takes us to the Baptist church forr food if they will save their empty containers for me if the don't want them or haven't promised them to someone already. That will giveme 3-6 plates a month depending on whether or not we get frozen items that come on plates, not just in a coated box.

[annabella1]

I use the "Dixie Brand" coated paper plates. I can get a 100 economy pack from the local Meijer store. Put the food on like you want to serve it, invert another plate over it and slide the whole thing into a 1 gallon plastic freezer bag (it just fits perfect)and freeze. When I want the meal I just slide the plates out of the bag and microwave (leave the inverted plate on, it cuts down on splatters and holds in the steam for more even cooking).

[MYellowRose]

Thanks Annabella. I'll see if I can find those plates at either Wal Mart or HEB, our local chain grocery.