As our summers get super busy with kids, camping, sports, activities, etc I always try to do a big freezer meal prep. All of these meals go into gallon sized ziplock bags that I label and get frozen flat in our chest freezer. The night before I pull one out and put it in the refrigerator to thaw. Each one cooks in the crockpot so it’s very simple and doesn’t heat up the house or require me being in the kitchen when I don’t have time. The initial investment for all the groceries is quite a bit but if I calculate it out per meal this is very reasonable for a large family. The amount I prep usually lasts us 6-7 weeks and dinner leftovers get used for lunches or the next night’s dinner. I’ve perfected a list that our family really likes and are cost effective with not too many ingredients. Hope this helps some others looking for budgeting in the kitchen!
Sloppy Joes:
1 lb. Ground turkey or beef
1 onion diced
1 green pepper diced
1 15oz. Can tomato sauce
1 packet Sloppy Joe Seasoning
Add all ingredients to a freezer bag and seal. Mix the bag to incorporate ingredients. Cook in the slow cooker on HIGH 3-4 hours. Serve on buns or rolls.
Sausage and Lentil Soup
2 packages of sausage or kielbasa, sliced
2c. Brown lentils
1 bag baby carrots
3-4 stalks of celery diced
1 onion diced
2-3 cloves garlic minced
1 15oz. Can diced tomatoes
1T. Italian Seasoning
Add all ingredients to a freezer bag. Cook in the crockpot on HIGH 4-5 hours. Serve with bread or rolls.