5 Freezer meal ideas!

 I'm a huge fan of Freezer meals! It can take a few hours of prep, but the outcome is totally worth it. Not only that, but it is really cost effective to buy in bulk and than use up all of the ingredients. I get most of my ideas from Pinterest. Its become my online cookbook and I use it for my dinners, desserts ect. That is where I found all of these meals. Ive pooled some together, each with a different flavour, to save you some time! 

There are days where the kids are wild and by the time suppertime comes around, I am exhausted and overwhelmed. Freezer meals are great for taking the guess work out of "whats for supper?" I always double or triple the recipes I choose, so that I can get 2-3 weeks worth of meals. 

Here are 5 different freezer meals just in time for winter. 

1) Cilantro Lime Chicken

You'll need:

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (10-ounce can) Ro*Tel® Mild Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies
• 1 cup corn kernels, frozen, canned or roasted
• 1/2 cup salsa, homemade or store-bought
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• 1 red onion, diced
• 1 jalapeño, diced
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Juice of 2 limes

Full recipe: http://damndelicious.net/2017/07/07/slow-cooker-cilantro-lime-chicken-freezer-meal

     2. Freezer Chicken Pot pie

You'll need: 

• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup chopped carrot
• 1/3 cup butter or margarine
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup milk 
• 2 cups chicken, cooked, chopped
• 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 4 unbaked pie crusts (homemade or store-bought)

Full Recipe: https://www.mealplanningmagic.com/homemade-chicken-pot-pie-make-it-ahead-monday/

     3. French Dip  (From Eating on a Dime website)

• 3 TBSP Onion Soup Mix
• 3 TBSP Au Jus Mix
• 4 TSP Chicken Granules
• 4 cups Water
• 3-4 lbs Beef Roast

Full recipe: Put all ingredients in your labeled freezer bag and place in the freezer.
Place into the crockpot (ingredients can be thawed or frozen) and cook on low for 6-8. Shred beef and serve over toasted subs. Top with Provolone cheese and dip in Au Jus juice.

4)Tuscan Pasta Bake 

You'll need:

• 1 (16oz) box of bowtie pasta
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, finely minced or pressed through a garlic press
• 1/2 tablespoon dried basil
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into 8 pieces
• 8-ounce jar sun-dried tomatoes, rinsed, drained and chopped
• 2 cups milk
• 8 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (about 2 cups)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, more to taste, if needed
• 1 cup of chicken, cooked and cubed

Full recipe: http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/recipe/2016/03/20-minute-tuscan-pasta-freezer-meal/

5) Crock Pot Beef Stew 

You'll need :

• 2 lb beef chuck roast (cut into bite sized pieces) 
• 3 carrots peeled and chopped
• 2 celery ribs chopped
• 1/2 onion chopped
• 2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup pearled barley
• 7 cups beef broth * not needed until day of cooking
• 1 large freezer bags

Full Recipe: http://livesimply.me/2014/11/20/freezer-crockpot-beef-stew/

Thats it! 

Some of these meals need to be cooked VIA crock pot so that is a must if you are doing freezer meals. If you don't have a crock pot, another great option is a lot of casseroles! I will be doing a post on all things freezer casseroles, so stay tuned for that! 

Do you use freezer meals? Its perfect for the mom on the go, and also just really helpful for those crazy days. 

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