May 2, 2009 By divas can cook 12 Comments
Filed Under: Main Dish, Other Stuff, Cooking Tips, Food Articles

Frozen Skillet Sensations Meals (Flash Freezing)

This isn’t really a recipe, more like a freezer tip/technique called flash freezing. So if you have a favorite way of preparing chicken broccoli Alfredo then try it with this freezer technique. I’m using a quick version to prepare this dish. I’m also going to show you how to make frozen sauce cubes if you prefer a really creamy alfredo.

Flash freezing is simply taking cooked/uncooked food, spreading it in a single layer on a baking sheet and freezing it rapidly in the freezer. Once frozen the food is then transferred to freezer-friendly bags or containers. Flash freezing make reheating frozen food MUCH easier and quicker. Instead of having a big frozen blob of food to unthaw you have individually frozen pieces. You can flash freeze meats, veggies, fruits, cookie dough, waffles, all kinda stuff!!!

OK, I’m sure you’ve had one of those frozen Skillet Sensations/Easy Express Skillets/ meals from the grocers right? They run about 4-8 bucks a bag and says it’s suppose to feed 2 people. Um….try 1 person in my household! I always have to get two bags. I love the fact that they are pretty tasty and cooks in 12-14 minutes but you definitely don’t get that bang for your buck like when you prepare them yourself.

It’s pretty quick to make as well. I usually pick one lazy Sunday a month and prepare several varieties. They taste so much better than the store-bought bags and you get soooo much more. It comes in handy on those super busy days when you need a quick, healthy, homemade lunch/dinner. I like to make these up and take it to my chicas during that last month of pregnancy. You’d think I’d brought over diamonds! You can use any combination of your favorite pasta, sauce, meats and veggies.

Some of my favorite combinations are:

Potatoes, Steak, Broccoli, and Garlic Butter Sauce

Bow-tie Pasta, Mixed Veggies, Turkey, and Cheddar Cheese Sauce

Macaroni, Tomato Basil Sauce, Spicy Italian Sausage

OMG the possibilities are endless!!! OK let me hush and get on with this post.

Make Ahead Skillet Sensations: Chicken Broccoli Alfredo

Ingredients:

2 chicken breasts (diced)

1 bag of broccoli

1 box of penne pasta

1-2 15 boz jars of alfredo sauce

salt, pepper

Step 1.) Cut two large chicken breasts into cubes. Season generously with your favorite seasoning. I used black pepper and seasoning salt. I sometimes like to use that Montreal Grill Chicken seasoning. Gives it an excellent chargrilled taste.

Step 2.) In a saucepan add 1/3 cup of water and 4 tablespoons of butter. When butter is melted add chicken and cook over medium high heat until done (the cook time will depend upon how thick your chicken chunks are.)

Step 3.) Fill a large pot with hot water, add about a Tablespoon of salt and bring to a boil. When water comes to boil pour in the pasta and set your timer for however long it says on the box for al dente. For penne pasta it’s 11 minutes.

Step 4.) When pasta is al dente remove from heat and drain. Then drain the chicken.

Step 5.) Return the pasta to the pot and add in the chicken & cooked veggies (for the veggies I used Steam Fresh Broccoli. I just microwaved for 6 minutes like the package says.) Give it a stir.

Step 6.) Pour on your favorite Alfredo sauce & stir!! Add salt & pepper if needed. Now let it sit until it cools. This will give time for the sauce to get creamier and cling to the pasta, chicken & broccoli.

*Sauce tip technique* A lot of the sauce will absorb into the noodles once it’s been frozen. If you like a real creamy Alfredo sauce, here’s what you do. Use about a cup or more of additional sauce and pour into an ice cube tray. Only fill the tray about 1/4 -1/2 inch full (we want the sauce cubes to be thin so that they will melt easily when we make our meal.) When they are frozen simply put them in the freezer bag with your frozen pasta meal.

Flash Freezing!!

Ok here’s the freezer tip that I like to use for these frozen skillet meals. It’s gonna prevent your meals from being one big frozen blob when you go to prepare it. And if you’ve ever froze a skillet meal then you know what I’m talking about. You go to cook it and it takes FOREVER!! The bottom part is always overcooked..it’s a mess.

Step 7.) Line a cookie sheet with foil paper and spread the pasta mixture in a single layer. It must be in a single layer.

Step 8.) Cover with plastic wrap or foil. Just make sure you cover it tightly. You don’t want it to pick up that nasty freezer taste. Place into the freezer and freeze until completely frozen (you can get away with freezing it partially Just make sure the sauce is frozen).

Step 9.) When it’s frozen remove from refrigerator and use a spatula to scrape up the pieces. You can use your hands to break them apart as well.

Step 10.) Place into freezer bags.

Look at all this we get!! 5 bags!!

To Prepare:

To prepare simply place in a saucepan and heat for approx. 12-15 minutes on medium heat or until thoroughly heated.

Add additional salt, pepper if needed. Garnish with diced tomatoes, parsley flakes, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Yummy!!

Want More Recipes Like This?

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Comments

Katelyn says

July 22, 2015 at 2:29 pm

I’m wondering what your other recipes are for skillet Sensation meals.

I used this recipe and I really loved it. Looking to make more soon

Reply
- Lori K says
  
  February 19, 2016 at 9:17 pm
  
  I would love to see more recipes as well!
  
  Reply
Chrystal says

September 18, 2014 at 5:42 pm

Absolutely Love This!!! Thank GOD for someone taking out the time to help us ladies out. I’m a southern belle, and I am very fond of southern home cooking but I actually eat clean, however being a single woman for many years I don’t do a lot of cooking. Well now things have truly changed for me in a superb way. GOD has sent my fiancé into my life and now my cooking habits have changed dramatically being he’s in my life. To be honest, I’m still adjusting to the whole cooking phase because I’m so use to living single and just cooking smaller meals, snacking on fresh veggies, and fruits. My fiancé isn’t into that as much, but he’s flexible. He doesn’t mind giving clean eating a try which is wonderful :). In the meanwhile I’ve cooked several home cooked meals, and now that he’s gotten use to it, he wants good food all the time to the point, he doesn’t want to cook a meal for us. He says he’s intimidated because my meals have all been awesome. I think its just the fact that his little chunky tail loves it when I cook & he eats lol. Shiiiine he comes home asking “what’s for dinner?” at 8am in the morning!!! Don’t give me a break from the kitchen!!! What’s even funnier is the fact that he’s even gained a little bit of weight from all that good home cooking but don’t let anyone tell him they can tell it a bit, he freaks out. So now its back to strictly clean eating. Seasons change and my eating habits do too. I realize the thing I did a lot in the past has been freezing fresh cut veggies but I never tried flash freezing pasta or any other meals for that fact. Now this I gotta give a try. For one, it will make the process of adjusting easier, and two I won’t have to cook every single day & then have to clean a whole heap of dishes at the end of the night, when its just 2 people in the house!!!….Hello somebody!!! Did I mention that my fiancé eats food for 3 people? Loves to eat! The cooking struggle is real in my house lol. That’s why I am so glad I stumbled upon this website. I have been viewing quite a few recipes just checking to see if we have the same cooking style & that’s when I was sold. Especially when I checked the flash freezing. And alfredo too??!!! Girls I was like “praise break” 🙂 I usually make a mean homemade alfredo pasta dish either using chicken cuts, or shrimp….love my shrimp alfredo and you are sooooo right about those frozen pasta entrees. They cost so much but you don’t really get much, and my goodness the sodium and stuff we don’t think about that are in those frozen entrees. Its not healthy eating at all, regardless if they say “low fat & low sodium”… Just want to say thank you so much Monique for your inspiration, and I will definitely be glad to work some of these recipes in my kitchen. 🙂 I’m a very happy lady right now 🙂 “clicking heels” lol

Reply
Monique says

March 17, 2014 at 11:54 am

You’re awesome! I’m so proud to share the same name with you. =)

Reply
Tamia says

October 9, 2012 at 1:12 am

such a awesome idea, thanks Diva you’re one smart cook-e…..lol

Reply
Jennifer Clayton says

October 7, 2012 at 2:58 am

Monique,

Thanks so much for this post, have been reading up on Flash Freezing haven’t seen it done with the skillet meals, which by the way we LOVE!! I have actually seen it done with French fries…. I know what I’m doing on my lazy Sunday = )

Thank you!

Reply
Victoria Eiland says

January 18, 2012 at 5:51 pm

Monique,

Just found you website today and so far I’m loving it (reppin Elberton, GA? I’m reppin Albany!). Anyway, one of the tricks I have for flash frozen skillet meals is cook the meal in half the sauce and to freeze the other half of the sauce in ice cube trays. That way, as the meals cook, the sauce is thick and saucy and doesn’t evaporate or scorch I the pan.

Reply
Mikayla says

January 3, 2012 at 4:53 pm

Monique,
I just found your blog and I’m in love! I agree with Tia and please ask that you show us how to make the other variations specifically the steak and potato one!
Thanks!

Reply
Kim says

December 18, 2011 at 1:51 pm

Monique,
I LOVE making this meal! Its quick, easy and delicious. When your schedule permits can you PLEASE show how to make the other variations you listed, like the potatoe and steak.
TIA

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D says

November 24, 2011 at 9:38 am

Wonderful! I’m so excited. Happy T day all, going to make the mac and cheese!

Reply
Tysha says

November 6, 2011 at 1:16 pm

Monique,

Can you provide the recipe or any suggestions for the variation of the frozen skillet meal for Potatoes, Steak, Broccoli, and Garlic Butter Sauce. Thank you!

Reply
Candace says

September 12, 2011 at 3:30 am

This is the missing puzzle piece I needed! I’ve always wanted to do this but never thought through the freezing part! Thanks, can’t wait to try all my favorite pasta dishes =)

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