Freezer Meal Prep

When I was pregnant with Carter, we teamed up with Brandon's brother and his wife to make freezer meals that could later be cooked in the crock pot. They were SO nice to have, so when she offered to come help me put some together before Hudson gets here, I immediately said yes! On Saturday we made 8 meals for each couple, out of which we can usually get at least four servings (I would say it's usually closer to six). It comes out to about $1.75 per serving, and they are so good!! I thought I'd share the recipes with you, just in case you want to make freezer meals of your own. It took us about two and a half hours total, but now we are stocked and ready for the tired, don't-want-to-cook, parent life!

***Meatballs and Tomato Sauce
INGREDIENTS
1 bag frozen meatballs or homemade meatballs
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
½ tsp minced garlic
1 Tbsp dried parsley flakes
1 tsp dried oregano
PREP
Label gallon size freezer bag with name of recipe, date and instructions.
Place all ingredients in bag and seal.
Place in freezer.
COOK
Dump bag in crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Serve over cooked pasta.

***Cool Ranch Shredded Chicken Tacos
INGREDIENTS
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 taco seasoning packet)
1 dry ranch seasoning packet
PREP
Combine all ingredients in a gallon-sized plastic freezer bag and freeze for up to to three months.
COOK
When ready to cook, thaw overnight in refrigerator or in morning in water.
Cook on low for 4 hours
Serve on soft tortillas with your favorite taco toppings.  

***Cranberry Chicken
INGREDIENTS
2-lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 small onion, diced
1-14 oz. can whole cranberry sauce
2 cloves minced garlic
2 TBSP honey
2 TBSP balsamic vinegar
2 TBSP extra virgin olive oil
¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
¼ tsp pepper
PREP
Dump all ingredients into a gallon freezer bag
COOK
Cook on low for 4 hours
Serve with green beans and stuffing

***Chicken Tikka Masala
INGREDIENTS
2-lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
2-15 oz. cans of tomato sauce
2 cloves of minced garlic
2 TBSP honey
2 TBSP curry powder
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp salt
½ pint of heavy cream
PREP
Dump all ingredients into a gallon freezer bag
COOK
Cook on low for 4 hours
Serve with rice and naan bread

***Pot Roast
INGREDIENTS
2-lb boneless beef chuck roast
1-lb baby carrots
1-15 oz. can of whole new potatoes, drained
1 packet of dry onion soup mix
PREP
Dump all ingredients into a gallon freezer bag
COOK
Add 1 cup of water when putting in crock pot
Cook on low for 8 hours
Serve with your choice of gravy

***Cheesy Chicken and Rice
INGREDIENTS
8 Cups of Cooked Rice (4 Cups of Uncooked Rice & 8 Cups of Water)
8 Cups of Cooked & Diced Chicken Breast
4 Cans of Cream of Chicken or Mushroom Soup (I like 2 of each)
2 Tbsp. Onion Flakes
8 Cups of Cheese
3 Cups of Milk
Salt and Pepper to Taste
PREP
Dump everything into two gallon size bags and freeze
COOK
When ready to eat, thaw, and pour into a baking dish.
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes

***Chicken Broccoli and Potato Bake
INGREDIENTS
4½ cups diced red potatoes
2½ cups diced boneless skinless chicken breast
1/3 cup cooked crumbled bacon
1/4 cup sliced onion
1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
½ tsp garlic powder
½ cup heavy cream (can sub half & half)
2 Tbs butter
PREP
Pour everything into a foil baking dish and cover
COOK
When ready to eat, thaw, and bake at 340 for 1 hour

***Butter Chicken
INGREDIENTS
2 lb chicken
1 tbsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic minced
1 can light coconut milk
1 can tomato paste
2 tbsp flour
2 tsp garam masala seasoning
½ tsp cayenne
1 tsp dried coriander
1 tbsp paprika
1 tsp tumeric
1 tsp cumin
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
PREP
Dump all ingredients into a gallon freezer bag
COOK
Cook on low for 6 hours