Monthly Menu & Freezer Meals

My first trial of freezer meals and a monthly menu was a success! Our family has become a lot less wasteful with our leftovers (if we have any). And we've definitely had far less meals outside of the house, though a new baby kind of influences that too! After my most recent trip to the grocery store, I made 10+ more freezer meals as well as stocking up on my meats and other perishables to make meals in the future. First, I made my monthly calendar (which is started mid-month for no particular reason other than I've been busy with my newborn). Below is my menu:

I make designated days for leftovers.  Any other leftovers I use for lunches for my daughter and myself, and occasionally my husband will take some to work also.  

For my freezer meals I made bags of vegetables again to be unthawed and thrown in the slow cooker along with some meat.  See my post "Freezer Meal Trial 1" for more details on my vege packs.

  

In addition to meals, I have frozen some side dishes.  I have made sweet potato fries, as well as potato wedges.  

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My potato wedge recipe goes GREAT with meatballs.  Here is the recipe:

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

2 Tbsp crushed garlic (10-12 cloves)

1 tsp dill

1/2 tsp thyme

2 Tbsp olive oil

3 tsp dijon

6-7 small red potatoes cubed

Mix all the ingredients in ziplock bag and freeze.

When you are ready to cook, bake at 475 for 25 minutes or until desired potato tenderness.  And make sure to cover with foil, and then remove the foil for the last 5 minutes to allow browning.  

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For the crockpot lasagna (so easy to throw together), see my recipes page.

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The Teriyaki Chicken freezer recipe is:

4 cups of chopped carrots

1 red onion

1 large can of pineapple and juice

4 garlic cloves minced

1 cup teriyaki sauce

I do NOT freeze my vegetables with my meats.  I buy all my chicken frozen, and all my other red meat I buy fresh and then use my vacuum seal food saver and freeze it. 

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Broccoli Salad Recipe (from allrecipes.com)

2 heads fresh broccoli

1 red onion

1/2 lb bacon (2-3 pieces)

3/4 cup raisins or craisins

3/4 cup sliced almonds

For the dressing: 

1 cup mayo

1/2 cup sugar

2 Tbsp white wine vinegar

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Ground Beef & Baked Bean Casserole (This is delicious!  And acquired from the Deen Bros.)

1 lb ground beef

2- 15 oz cans of baked beans

1 cup tomatoes

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 Tbsp dijon

1 1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

5 slices of bacon (to cover the top of the casserole)

--(the Deen bros use 2 onions chopped, but I prefer this casserole without the onion)

Heat the oven to 350.

Spray casserole dish with non-stick spray

Brown the ground beef.

Once the meat is cooked, add remaining ingredients except bacon. Mix and pour into casserole dish and cover with bacon slices.

Cover final dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes.

Then uncover and heat to broil until bacon is crisp!

This is a delicious casserole and is now one of our favorites at home!

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Chicken Nacho Recipe: Crockpot 

2-3 pieces of chicken breast

1 8oz cream cheese

1 can of black beans

1 can of corn

1 1/2 cup of salsa

Add some taco seasoning for flavor.

Cook in the crockpot for 6-8 hours on low.  Allow to sit and cool for a short period of time after cooking to thicken.  Pour of chips.  Can be paired with guacamole, or rice.  

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The chicken enchilada casserole recipe can be found on the Pinch of Yum Blog  

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Crockpot Chicken Pineapple Recipe:

3-4 chicken breasts

1 can of pineapple with juice

1 medium onion

2 Tbsp soy sauce

1/2 cup chicken broth

Cook for 6-8 hours on low.

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Chicken Pot Pie:

I make the pie with uncooked crust, and freeze for a later meal.  

I buy foil pie dishes from the dollar store (make sure they have lids).  You can make your own dough (but that has been my enemy in the kitchen so I buy the pre made pie crust from pillsbury)  

Cook 1 lb of chicken breast and spice it with salt, pepper, and thyme.

Once the chicken is cooked, add 

-1 lb of vegetables (I add carrots, celery, peas, and red potatoes)
-1 can of cream of chicken
-1/3 cup of milk.  And mix on low heat.  

Once all your ingredients are mixed well and cooked, line the pie foil dish with one crust.  Add your pie filling.  Place the second crust on top, and fold edges over and in.  

Make sure to poke some holes in the top of your pie for ventilation when you cook.  Then cover and freeze.  When I am ready to cook, I place frozen pie in the oven at 425 for 60 minutes.  You want to make sure your crust bakes thoroughly so that the underneath is not raw.  

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Salmon:

I place my fillet on a piece of foil.

Salt and Pepper fillet

Cut up 1 lemon, and place slices on top of fillet

Lastly, add 4 Tbsp of butter to the top.  And cover with foil.  

I bake my salmon like this and it is super tasty!

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My frozen meats: