Saving Cash with Freezer Meals

We are all scrambling for ways to save money, especially on groceries, one of the best ways to do so is by making meals that go in your freezer. Not only does it mean that you have a full meal for another day, but you are also saving alot of money on the next run to the grocery store. You are probably thinking wow that is really time consuming, but in reality it takes as long as preparing the actual meal itself.

The best way to do this is by making a double or triple batch of the particular meal you are cooking and then sticking them in a freezer bag and lable. Make sure you write the date on your meals after you package them. This prevents freezer burn and wasting money in the process. Usually freezer meals are good from 3-6 months depending on the type of meal. When you are ready to use them, just take the meal out and thaw overnight, put the meal in the oven or crockpot, and bam dinner is served when your family comes home from work or school.

You can also do this by planning a months worth of meals and preparing them before freezing. This can be done in a day or over the course of a weekend. You can save alot of time cooking and from your meal planning routine. Plus you have a general idea as to how much you will spend a month on your grocery bill which in the end will give you an overall cost savings.

Shepards Pie

The version I have of this recipe was passed down to me from my grandmother. This casserole can be variated to your individual tastes. Quick and easy, you can serve up this comforting casserole with a tossed salad in less than an hour. Whats great is that you can make it using any ground meat or meat substitute and leftover mashed potatoes. Here is the recipe...

1 Pound of Ground Meat or Meat Substitute

1 10 oz can of Tomato Soup

Fresh or canned Green Beans

Fresh or canned mushrooms

Mashed or Instant Potatoes

Sliced American Cheese

Brown ground meat or substitute until cooked all the way through. Add your green beans, mushrooms, and tomato soup and warm. In another pan make your mashed potatoes and then layer in a 9x13 pan. Add your sliced cheese and preheat your oven to 350 degrees and bake for 30 minutes.

Serves 8

Split Pea with Ham Soup

This is a great recipe for any season.... Its simple to make, just add your ingredients into your crockpot and voila dinner will be done by the time your hubby and kids come home. Serve it up with some fresh rolls or biscuits and its a filling meal that everyone will enjoy.

1 bag of dried split peas ( this costs around a dollar at your local grocery store)

2 cloves of garlic chopped ( you can get 3 heads for around $1.50 at Aldis)

4 carrots sliced ( in alot of areas carrots are on sale for around a dollar or less)

1 pound of ham cubed ( stock up when its on sale, I had bought some recently for .89 cents a pound)

Add all of the ingredients to your slow cooker and add water. Set slowcooker on Low for 10 hours or on high for 5 hours. Season to taste with salt and pepper. 

Serves 8

Easy Stroganoff

This recipe tastes a lot better than the Hamburger Helper version, and you can make it a lot healthier too!!!

1 pound of hamburger or ground turkey

1 package of french onion soup

1 8 ounce container of Sour Cream ( the fat free version tastes just as good)

3 cloves of garlic minced ( if you do not have heads of garlic, then garlic powder is fine too)

1 8oz package of fresh mushrooms ( canned will work if you have those on hand)

1/2 cup of milk

1/2 bag of egg noodles

Take chopped onion, minced garlic, hamburger, and mushrooms and cook in frying pan until done.

While your hamburger, onion, garlic, and mushrooms are cooking; take your sour cream, french onion soup, and  milk and stir it together in another bowl until all items are well mixed.

When your meat mixture is done, add in your sauce mix and stir on medium heat, then simmer on low to allow it to thicken up.

Then take your egg noodles and boil in a pot of water until tender, then strain.

Mix egg noodles together with stroganoff mixture until heated through.

Add parsley if you want to and serve with a salad, brussel sprouts, and french bread.