Freezer Meals Made Even Easier

Since having children, freezer meals have been somewhat of a saving grace.  As much as I try to keep things balanced and calm, there are always those days.  You know which days I'm talking about.  Those days were the schedule is over-booked; those days when the kids are not quite cooperating; those days that are just off for one reason or another... When I cannot possibly add anything else to my day, I do not have to worry about dinner, because it's in the freezer.  I just pull it out, thaw, and cook.

For the past couple years, prepping freezer meals has been a whole-day or whole-weekend event.  I plan my menu, shop for deals, find care for the kids (Yah, I said it...I cannot juggle prepping 30+ meals while watching my kids.  Some can do both - I, however, cannot.), and get to cooking, prepping, and freezing.  While this marathon meal prep method has its perks, I've learned that it also has its downfalls.

1. Prepping 30+ meals is hard on the grocery budget.
2. It's time consuming.
3. It makes me tired.

Just because the trend is marathon meal prepping, doesn't mean I can't try something else.  I needed to find something different - something that works in my schedule and is easy on my budget.  So, here's what I came up with...

1. Freeze ONE Additional Meal Per Week:  Add 1-2 freezer meals to your meal planning.  I plan meals and shop every two weeks, so I add two freezer meals to my shopping list.  Usually,  I choose a meal to eat that week and just buy a little extra to put a few duplicates of said meal in the freezer.
2. Make Extra to Freeze:  Many meals like lasagna, taco meat, enchiladas, spaghetti sauce, meat loaf, and marinades freeze beautifully.  Whenever I add one of these meals to the freezer, I make an extra (or split the recipe in two) and pop it in the freezer. 

Every time I make lasagna, I split the batch in two...
one to eat, one to freeze.

I've been trying this new method for the couple months.  It's amazing how much easier this gradual freezer prep process has been on my stress levels and the budget.  Over time, my freezer has filled up with a variety of delicious meals that are ready to heat and eat.

Some of my Favorite Freezer Meals:

• Breakfast Burritos
• Beef and Barley Soup (from Fix, Freeze, Feast)
• Beef Fajitas (from Fix, Freeze, Feast)
• Beef Enchiladas (use your favorite recipe)
• Chicken Enchiladas (use your favorite recipe)
• Mango-Cranberry Chicken (from Fix, Freeze, Feast)
• Pecan Crusted Chicken Strips (from Fix, Freeze, Feast)
• Chicken Spaghetti (The Pioneer Women)
• Sour Cream Noodle Bake (The Pioneer Women)
• Freezer Chicken Pot Pies (Cook's Country)

Everyday Meals that happen to Freeze Wonderfully (use your favorite recipe):

• Spaghetti Sauce
• Pesto
• Taco Meat
• Enchiladas
• Freezer Chicken Enchiladas (Cook's Country)
• Meatloaf
• Marinades
• Chili
• Bread Machine Mix
• Muffins

Remember to label all food items with the contents and date.  Try to consume your meals within 6-12 months (six months for regular freezer bags and closer to 12 months for an airtight, Food Saver seal).

Looking for more freezer meal recipes?

Favorite Books and Blogs:

• Fix, Freeze, Feast: The Delicious, Money-Saving Way to Feed Your Family (book)
• Don't Panic, Dinner's in the Freezer: Great-Tasting Meals You Can Make Ahead (book)
• The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinnertime (book)
• 60+ Healthy Freezer Meals for Busy Moms by Thriving Home
• Prep Freeze Cook Eat by Freezer Meals for Us
• Make Ahead Freezer Meals by Happy Money Saver
• Freezer Cooking! by The Pioneer Woman Cooks

Do you make freezer meals?  What is your prefered method?  What are your favorite recipes?  Do tell...

Until Next Time,

Leslie-Anne