Feeding a family of eight every night can be difficult. Between school pickups and homework and work here on MSM- life is hectic and getting a home cooked meal on the table every night can be tricky.
Taking a family out to eat can be expensive and thrifty moms know that cooking at home is much more frugal than even calling out for pizza.
Here is my biggest secret to getting dinner on the table even on the craziest of days: My Freezer.
When I do make a meal I often double it up and put half it in the freezer (sometimes cooked and sometimes just prepared). It makes life so much easier on those crazy nights. Here are a few of my favorite meals to freeze extras of!
- Fried Chicken: Bread as normal and freeze uncooked. Thaw and fry/bake.
- Lasagne: Freeze uncooked. Thaw and bake as usual.
- Rice: Cook and Freeze.
- Sausage StirFry: Prepare and Freeze Uncooked. Thaw and cook as usual.
- Enchiladas: Prepare filling, roll into tortillas. Freeze individually. Thaw, cover with sauce and bake as usual.
- Shredded Chicken: Boil with onion, pepper and salt. Drain, shred and freeze.
- Shredded Beef or Pork: Slow cook with broth, onion, pepper and salt. Drain, shred and freeze.
- Chili: Cook as normal and freeze. Thaw and reheat.
- Macaroni & Cheese: Cook pasta, mix with cheese of choice. Freeze. Thaw and cook as usual.
- Bakes Pasta with Chicken: Cook Pasta and grill chicken. Slice chicken, mix with cheese (or sauce) and pasta. Freeze uncooked. Thaw and freeze.
- Taco Meat: Cook beef and add seasonings as usual. Freeze. Thaw and reheat.
- Hamburgers: Make patties. Freeze individually. Place in freezer bags. Thaw and grill as usual.
- Meatloaf: Make meatloaf as usual, Freeze Uncooked. Thaw and bake.
A visit to a fast food restaurant can cost us $45! Even calling for pizza can be $30 or more. Making dinner at home can be so much less expensive, but it’s not always the easiest thing. Using my freezer makes it easier and less costly.
A few tips:
- The Dollar Tree has a great selection of disposable aluminum pans. These make it easy to go from freezer to oven quickly.
- A Food Saver is my best friend. It makes the food last so much longer in the freezer.
- Keep a list of what’s in there. That will make it easier to know what you have on hand.
Share your tips with us!
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