Freezer Meal Haul
When my 3 big kids were younger, I religiously made freezer meals. There was always something made and ready to go for dinner. It made my life SOOOO much easier. We rarely had to go through a drive thru, but little did I know sippy cups, sleepless nights and endless diaper changes would be the "easy" stage of motherhood.
We are on the go CONSTANTLY. It's really a crime. Sports, church, jobs, clubs...it's never ending. Life is kicking my rear end right now. I've found myself in the Chick-fil-a drive through more times than I'm willing to admit recently. I knew something has to give, so I'm going back to the basics...we're doing freezer meal prep again.
Freezer meals can feel intimidating and it is a lot of prep on the front end but OMG it's worth it. So here's how my recent grocery trip went:
My grand total was $315.89
Here’s what I got:
•Pot Roast, Mashed Potatoes, Carrots
•2x French Dip Sandwiches
•BBQ Sandwiches
•2x Chicken Tacos, Rice
•2x Chicken Teriyaki, Rice, Egg Rolls
•2x Baked Ziti, Salad, French Bread
•2x Pork Loin, Baked Potatoes, Salad
All of these are portions that will allow for left overs and lunches for the next day. If I had to guess I would say all the fruit, snacks, cookies, everything else was around $100, which means cost per serving average is $3. I don’t know if that’s good or not, but it’s a lot less than take out!
And there's no gatekeeping here...below are the exact recipes I bought for. All I do is double the ingredients (or triple or quadruple depending on how many you want to make). Tip: make recipes accordingly to what meat is on sale!
Dump & Go Pot Roast
INGREDIENTS
5 to 6 pound pot roast
2 (10.75 oz) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 packet Lipton onion soup mix
1 1/4 cups of water
salt & pepper to taste
RECIPE
Lightly spray crock pot with non-stick cooking spray. Dump meat followed by soups, soup mix & water- you can mix before hand but not necessary. Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours. Each crock pot cooks differently so you may need to adjust cooking times. You can also throw in baby carrots and diced potatoes, but my kids won't eat them so I serve with the Bob Evans microwave mashed potatoes, microwave steam green peas, and pillsbury freezer biscuits. The gravy from the roast is wonderful with mashed potatoes. Enjoy!
SHOPPING LIST
5 to 6 pound pot roast
2 (10.75 oz) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 packet Lipton onion soup mix
1 package Baby carrots (optional)
3 or 4 Russet potatoes (optional)
1 Bob Evans family sized mashed potatoes (optional)
1 Frozen Steam Green Peas (optional)
1 Package Pillsbury Frozen Homemade Buiscuts (optional)
HOW TO PREPARE FREEZER MEAL
I always buy double. One set of the ingredients will be cooked fresh the week of and the other meat will be immediately frozen. I know some people put everything in a freezer bag together, but I do not- it's super easy to open the cans and seasoning and dump them in the crockpot...HOWEVER, if I ever do carrots and potatoes with the roast, then I will put that in a freezer bag with the roast. Hope this helps! Pictures to come!
BBQ SANDWICHES
INGREDIENTS
2-3 lb pork loin (or whatever pork cut you like)
2 bottles of BBQ sauce of your choice
1/2 cup of water
salt & pepper to taste
Hamburger buns
RECIPE
Lightly spray crock pot with non-stick cooking spray. Dump meat followed by 1 bottle of BBQ sauce & water. Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours. Each crock pot cooks differently so you may need to adjust cooking times. Shred meat with fork. I throw buns in the toaster before serving by not necessary. I serve with chips, fruit, and pick up a small thing of slaw from the Publix deli section. Enjoy!
SHOPPING LIST
2-3 lb pork loin (or whatever pork cut you like)
2 bottles of BBQ sauce of your choice
1/2 cup of water
salt & pepper to taste
Hamburger buns
Bag of Chips (optional)
Fruit (optional)
Premade slaw (optional)
HOW TO PREPARE FREEZER MEAL
I always buy double. One set of the ingredients will be cooked fresh the week of and the other meat will be immediately frozen. I know some people put everything in a freezer bag together, but I do not- it's super easy to open the BBQ sauce and dump in the crockpot. Hope this helps! Pictures to come!
THE BEST CHICKEN TACOS
INGREDIENTS
2-3 lb boneless/skinless chicken breasts
2 cans of rotel
2 packs of taco seasoning
Tortillas
Whatever toppings you like!
RECIPE
Lightly spray crock pot with non-stick cooking spray. Dump meat followed by rotel and taco seasoning. Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours. Each crock pot cooks differently so you may need to adjust cooking times. Shred meat with fork. I serve with our favorite toppings, chips, guac & queso. This meat is fabulous for lunch meal prep, salads, nachos...you're going to obsess over how good it is! Enjoy!
SHOPPING LIST
2-3 lb boneless/skinless chicken breasts
2 cans of rotel
2 packs of taco seasoning
2 packs flour tortillas (or your favorite kind)
Tortilla Chips (optional)
Guacamole (optional)
Salsa or Pico (optional)
Queso (optional)
Shredded Cheese (optional)
Shredded Lettuce (optional)
Sour Cream (optional)
Jalapeños (optional)
HOW TO PREPARE FREEZER MEAL
I always buy double. One set of the ingredients will be cooked fresh the week of and the other meat will be immediately frozen. I know some people put everything in a freezer bag together, but I do not- it's super easy to open the rotel, seasoning and dump in the crockpot. Hope this helps! Pictures to come!
BAKED ZITI
INGREDIENTS
1.5-2 lbs Ground beef
2 jars of your favorite spagetthi sauce or 1 large jar
1 15 oz Container of ricotta cheese
1/2 lb of Ziti Noodles
1 8oz bag of mozzarella cheese
RECIPE
Preface- I alway buy double of the above for this recipe. It's just easier. The meat is usually cheaper this way, the ricotta is cheaper this way, and you use the entire box of ziti instead of storing it. Just make double! Okay...
Ground your beef. Drain the beef. I usually have the noodles going on another burner at the same time. Drain and rinse noodles. Throw in everything (except the mozzerella) and mix. Put mixer in casserole dish and top with mozzarella. Cook on 350 for 20-30 minutes or until cheese is melted. I serve with salad and garlic bread. Enjoy!
SHOPPING LIST
1.5-2 lbs Ground beef
2 jars of your favorite spagetthi sauce or 1 large jar
1 15 oz Container of ricotta cheese
1/2 lb of Ziti Noodles
1 8oz bag of mozzarella cheese
1 Caesar salad kit (optional)
1 frozen loaf of garlic bread (optional)
Disposable Tin Pan to help with clean up (optional)
HOW TO PREPARE FREEZER MEAL
I always buy double. Buy 2 tin pans and after you mix the casserole divide evenly between the two pans. Top with mozzerella. Pop one in the oven and the other one in the freezer. (label with date). To heat up at a later date, just put in the refrigerator the night before OR cook covered for 30 mins and uncovered for 30 mins.
CHICKEN TERIYAKI
INGREDIENTS
2-3 lbs boneless/skinless chicken breasts
1 bottle of your favorite teriyaki sauce (mine is big tree no soy)
1/2 c honey
1 bag steamable brocolli florets
cornstarch (as needed)
microwave white rice
RECIPE
Lightly spray crock pot with non-stick cooking spray. Dump meat followed by entire bottle of teriyaki and honey. Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours. Each crock pot cooks differently so you may need to adjust cooking times. Shred meat with fork. I add cornstarch as needed to thicken up the sauce. Microwave brocolii folrets and stir in with meat. Top on prepared white rice. I serve with an egg roll as well. This meat is fabulous for lunch meal prep, salads, etc...you're going to obsess over how good it is! Enjoy!
SHOPPING LIST
2-3 lbs boneless/skinless chicken breasts
1 bottle of your favorite teriyaki sauce (mine is big tree no soy)
1/2 c honey
1 bag steamable brocolli florets
cornstarch (as needed)
microwave white rice
frozen egg rolls
HOW TO PREPARE FREEZER MEAL
I always buy double. One set of the ingredients will be cooked fresh the week of and the other meat will be immediately frozen. I know some people put everything in a freezer bag together, but I do not- it's super easy to open the bottle of teriyaki, honey and dump in the crockpot. Hope this helps! Pictures to come!
FRENCH DIP SANDWICHES
INGREDIENTS
2-3 lbs London Broil
1 sliced sweet onion
1 pack Lipton onion soup mix
1 pack sliced provolone cheese
4 cups beef broth
2 tsp minced garlic
Sub rolls
RECIPE
Lightly spray crock pot with non-stick cooking spray. Dump meat followed by everything else except rolls and cheese . Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours. Each crock pot cooks differently so you may need to adjust cooking times. Shred meat with fork. Toast buns and put meat on top. Place cheese on top of meat and broil until melted. I serve with chips and fruit. njoy!
SHOPPING LIST
2-3 lbs London Broil
1 sliced sweet onion
1 pack Lipton onion soup mix
1 pack sliced provolone cheese
4 cups beef broth
2 tsp minced garlic
Sub rolls
chips (optional)
fruit (optional)
HOW TO PREPARE FREEZER MEAL
I always buy double. Prep all the ingredients for one recipe. I cook one fresh and place all the ingredients for the other in a large freezer bag. Hope this helps! Pictures to come!
