Recipe(tried): Simple Chicken Enchilada Casserole and Miniature Ham Loaves (freeze ahead)

Here's a couple of recipes that I have used in the past. They make a large number of servings so you could cut the recipes in half if you wanted to. You would have several meals made ahead for her. Some other things that could be froze ahead of time would be spaghetti, manicotti, meatloaf, stuffed peppers, creamed chicken (chicken ala king) ,etc. Just stroll through the freezer section and you will get lots of ideas.

SIMPLE CHICKEN ENCHILADA CASSEROLE

1 onion, chopped
4 ounces green chilies
1 (10 1/2 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
1 (10 1/2 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
4 cups cooked chicken
12 flour tortillas, torn into bite sized pieces
4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 (15 1/4 ounce) can black beans (optional)
salsa (optional)
black olives (optional)
sour cream (optional)

Combine onion, green chilis, soups, and chicken together in a large bowl.

Place a layer of flour tortillas (1/3 of the total)on the bottom of a 13 x 9 x 2 pan. I use a pizza cutter to cut up the tortillas. Spread 1/3 of the soup mixture over the top. Spread 1/3 of the cheese. Layer 1/3 of the black beans, if using. Repeat two more times.

Bake for 30 minutes at 350 F or until bubbly.

Top with salsa, black olives, and sour cream, if desired.

Great freeze ahead casserole, don't bake first. To use:thaw overnight. Bake for about 30-45 minutes or until bubbly.

Makes about 8-12 servings.

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MINIATURE HAM LOAVES

2 eggs
1 cup evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 1/4 lbs cooked ham, ground
1 1/4 lbs bulk sausage
10 3/4 ounces condensed tomato soup, undiluted
1 cup brown sugar, packed plus an additional
2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
1/3 cup vinegar
1 teaspoon ground mustard

In a bowl, combine eggs, milk, and cracker crumbs; mix well. Add ham and sausage. Shape 1/2 cupfuls into individual loaves. Place in a greased 13 x 9 x 2 baking dish.

Combine the soup, brown sugar, vinegar and mustard; mix well. Pour over loaves.

Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 1 hour, basting after 30 minutes.

Makes about 12 loaves.