Want to freeze that meatloaf, but you need your pan later in the week?! Or want to make double (or triple) batches on meatloaf night? Simply line the pan with foil and then add your meatloaf. Fold the foil around the meatloaf. And pop it into the freezer! After the meatloaf has frozen, take it out of the pan and place the foil-wrapped … [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.
Beef Tamale Skillet Dinner
This recipe is part of the latest 21 Gluten Free Meals from Costco Plan. The original recipe has been updated to include the ingredients from the Costco list, such as green pepper (pictured) for red pepper. The recipe is written as ONE skillet dinner. I would not freeze this recipe as is, but you could freeze it before adding the tortilla strips. Then reheat and add tortilla … [Read more...]
Black Bean and Cheese Tacos
4 Ingredients. 4 Minutes. You could have these ready in the same amount of time it takes the kids to unload their backpacks, change into play clothes and geth their homework lined up on the table. I'll show you how it's done! Minute 1: Get out a can of black beans, open it, drain it and dump it in a bowl. Reach into the fridge for the salsa, shredded cheese … [Read more...]
Meatball Subs
"Mama? When are we having meatball subs again?" Talk about simple. Plus delicious and filling. And just four ingredients to happy tummies. It's a hit in my family – with five children, ranging from preschoolers to teens. You can use a bag of frozen, store-bought meatballs. I use homemade because they are better for you and taste delicious :) I recently socked … [Read more...]
Freezer Staples List
So it's time to finish out the "Staples Lists." We started with the Pantry Staples List. Then the Refrigerator Staples List. And now the Freezer Staples List. Variety of Frozen Vegetables Variety of Fresh Frozen Fruits - Blueberries, Raspberries, Bananas for Smoothies Cooked and Shredded Chicken Cooked Dried Beans Reduced for quick sale breads/rolls Reduced … [Read more...]
Pumpkin Muffins with Cinnamon-Pecan Streusel
Couple things before we get to the recipe, 'kay?! First. Are feeling like you can't get enough pumpkin in?! I think that after the pumpkin shortage of 2009 and 2010 all I want to do is make pumpkin this, or pumpkin that. After not using pumpkin in any recipes since earlier in the year (when my holiday stockpile ran out), I'm find myself trying to make up for lost pumpkin … [Read more...]
Chorizo Black Bean Soup
So as I start this one out, I'm going to preface it with...this is not going to be a $5 Dinner. Why not?! Let's just say that the pound of chorizo sausage alone cost almost $5. It's an all natural, homemade chorizo sausage that I got earlier this summer at the farmer's market. It's been waiting in the freezer...for this recipe! Here's the deal. Here's … [Read more...]
How to Cut and Freeze a Large Butternut Squash (Video)
Remember that giant butternut squash I bought at the farmer's market a month ago?! For just $3.50! Well, I finally got around to cutting it up...feel free to watch :) Steam-bake it. Then puree the flesh. Here are a few things you can do with the butternut squash puree. Make homemade baby food. Hide in the cheese sauce of homemade mac and cheese. … [Read more...]
Blueberry Lemon Pancakes
Breakfast for dinner...a smart way to reduce your grocery budget...simply incorporate 1 of these meals into your weekly meal plan and be on your way to spending less! Making pancakes from scratch has been something I have done for many years! I had lots of fun coming up with (and tasting) a bunch of different pancakes for my Breakfast and Lunch Cookbook. This … [Read more...]
How to Freeze Fresh Herbs
Learn How to Freeze Fresh Herbs and add a few New Recipes for Fresh Herbs to your Meal Plan! This week...FRESH HERBS! More specifically, how to freeze fresh herbs! Fresh herbs. I love cooking with fresh herbs. And I love the fact that I can cook with fresh frozen herbs that I grew in my own garden in the dead of winter. Once or twice throughout the … [Read more...]