You know what I love about beef roasts and the 'stew beef' cut of meat? They slow cook beautifully. They are softened to perfection, as the low and slow heat cooks them all day. And in the case of this beef ragu recipe, the acidity from the tomato based sauce softens them even more. And you end up with the most delicious sauce. This is a homemade tomato sauce, using crushed … [Read more...]
Easy & Budget-Friendly Freezer-Friendly Recipes
Looking to save time, money, and stress at mealtime?!
Our collection of freezer-friendly recipes makes it simple to stock your freezer with delicious, ready-to-cook meals. From make-ahead breakfasts and freezer casseroles to dump-and-go slow cooker meals, these recipes are perfect for busy families who want home-cooked dinners without the daily prep.
Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or filling your freezer for the month, these easy freezer meals will help you eat well on a budget—without the last-minute scramble.
Cincinnati Chili
Are those bars of baking chocolate in the photo???? Did you even notice? Take a closer look…yes, those are bars of baking chocolate. Or, maybe you were wondering about the word chili and seeing the spaghetti noodles. I know…this is all kinds of confusing. Especially if you’re not from the southern OH area. Or have never heard of, or eaten at, Skyline Chili. This … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker BBQ Shrimp
Slow Cooker Shrimp! Yes, shrimp in the slow cooker. It only takes an hour. And it's DIVINE. Helps that this is slathered in BBQ sauce. (I think shrimp would be delicious slow cooked in a garlic-butter scampi like sauce too. That's a recipe for another day.) Today is simple...shrimp, BBQ...slow cook. Serve with French loaf bread and some veggies or salad. Or if … [Read more...]
10 Ways to Flavor-ize Shredded Chicken in the Instant Pot
With shredded chicken, it feels like the flavor possibilities are endless. Yesterday, I shared my ultimate shredded chicken recipe. It's "plain shredded chicken" and it's like a perfect blank canvas for however you want to 'flavor-ize' it! Below, I'll share a very simple and basic 'recipe' for each of these ways to flavorize the chicken. If you're not familiar with … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker Cubano Sandwiches
This one is going onto the list of foods that cause me to lose self control... Really, I just love food. And I love delicious food. And I love the crazy delicious combinations of salty, tangy and smoky in this sandwich. Plus the crunch from the pickles and the creaminess from the cheese. Drooooooooooling. I used a hoagie roll...because that's what was cheapest at my … [Read more...]
Andouille Cajun Soup
I am a Texas girl through and through. And then I have a meal with Andouille sausage...and it's like I ditch my TX roots and become a Louisiana girl for 20 minutes during dinner. I love, love, love the Cajun flavors. Especially the smoky bite from Andouille sausage. Pair that with some mirepoix and I'm in Cajun food heaven. (Mirepoix is a mix of Cajun trio of aromatic … [Read more...]
Mediterranean Salmon
This salmon is just delightful. DELIGHTFUL. These fabulous Mediterranean flavors in each bite of salmon.....seriously, I wanted to eat 3 fillets. Plus, it's light and healthy and clean. Before you start hitting up my inbox with "there's no way salmon is a $5 dinner!"....yes, salmon is more expensive. Yes, it's like $7-$10/lb. when it's on sale...or $10-$13/lb. when … [Read more...]
Baked Cinnamon Apple Pork Chops
So serving pork chops with applesauce is a thing. Like, a big thing. And this is the fresh and 'gourmet-ized' version of pork chops and applesauce. Pork chops, covered in cinnamon dusted apple slices and red onion strips, and baked to perfection. We adore these pork chops and I hope you do too! Baked Cinnamon Apple Pork Chops Pork chops, covered in cinnamon … [Read more...]
Black Bean & Sweet Potato Chili
Sometimes people ask me about how to feed teenage boys on a budget. And my answer is this...make this kind of chili recipe...over and over and over. I don't have teenage boys...yet...but 2 of my boys eat more than I do sometimes (and always during a growth spurt). And sometimes I wonder how I'm not going to go broke feeding 4 teenage boys for 10 straight years. It's these … [Read more...]
Baked BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
It's okay to drool. It's just you and your computer/phone. No one will notice the drool. :P :P :P Yes, these are drool-worthy. You should make them right now. Yes, stop what you're doing and make these. Or make them whenever they'd fit into your meal plan and schedule. :) Baked BBQ Chicken Sandwiches Tangy chicken held together by buttery, … [Read more...]