Freezer Meals - 1

10 meals prepped and ready to go in about 2 hours. Yup! That's what this is all about! I love taking a couple of hours over the weekend to get my dinners prepared for the next two weeks, so all I have to do is throw them in the crock pot before work, or know they are ready to cook as soon as I get home. It is wonderful to know that I can serve healthy meals for little effort, and for MUCH cheaper than hitting a drive-thru on the way home. Want to make these meals, but don't have the Tastefully Simple products on hand? No problem, just send me a message or leave a comment and I will get you set up!

 

 

The Menu

Artichoke & Spinach Chicken

Beef & Onion Vegetable Soup

Fiesta Meatballs

Mama Mia Chicken Fingers

Mama Mia Mushroom Pasta Sauce

Rustic Herb Pork Tenderloin

Simple Turkey Dinner

Smoked Bacon Chicken

Taco Terrific!

Tikka Chicken

The Products Needed

Artichoke & Spinach Warm Dip Mix

Fiesta Party Dip Mix

Mama Mia Marinara Sauce Mix

Onion Onion

Rich & Tender Beef Sauce

Rustic Herb Seasoning

Smoked Bacon Warm Dip Mix

The Grocery List

Please substitute meat products as you wish to best match your family’s eating preferences. And shop your own pantry first to use what you already have on hand!

Meat

4 ½ lbs. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 ½ lbs. chicken tenderloin strips

4 lbs. ground beef

2 (3/4 lb.) pork tenderloins

3-4 lb. bone-in turkey breast half

22 oz. frozen cooked meatballs

Dairy

2 eggs

½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

½ cup orange juice

Canned/Dry Items

10.75 oz. can cream of chicken soup

10.75 oz. can golden mushroom soup

15 oz. jar Alfredo Sauce

3 (28 oz.) cans crushed tomatoes

8 oz. can tomato sauce

15 oz. can tomato sauce

3 Tbsp. tomato paste

2 (4oz.) cans sliced mushrooms

½ cup mayonnaise

1 cup unseasoned dry bread crumbs

3-4 Tbsp. curry powder

1 tsp. cumin

1 Tbs. olive oil

8-12 taco shells

12-16 oz. spinach pasta

16 oz. spaghetti

½ cup instant rice

1 cup long grain rice

Frozen

1 ½ cups frozen peas

16 oz. bag frozen mixed vegetables

Miscellaneous

Gallon-sized re-sealable freezer bags

9x13 aluminum roasting pan with lid

Prep Work

• Place turkey breast half with 1 Tbsp. olive oil into gallon size bag
• Place six boneless, skinless chicken breasts in 9x13 greased aluminum roasting pan with lid
• Brown 1 ½ lbs. Ground beef and drain, place in gallon size bag
• Place 1 ½ lbs. pork tenderloins with 1 Tbsp. olive oil and ½ cup orange juice in gallon size bag
• Place 22 oz. bag frozen meatballs in gallon size bag
• Place 1 ½ lbs. Boneless, skinless chicken strips in gallon size bag
• Place 1 ½ lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch cubes in a gallon size bag
• Brown 1 ½ lbs. ground beef and drain, place in gallon size bag
• Brown 1 lb. ground beef and drain. Add 1 tsp. cumin and place in gallon size bag
• Combine 1 ½ lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts cubed with ½ cup mayonnaise, 10.75 oz. can golden mushroom soup, 3-4 Tbsp. curry powder and 1 ½ cups water and place in gallon bag
• Place 15 oz. can tomato sauce in gallon size bag

Assembly Instructions

Simple Turkey Dinner

Place 2-3 Tbsp. of Rustic Herb Seasoning into turkey and mix well in gallon size bag

Smoked Bacon Chicken

Whisk one packet Smoked Bacon Warm Dip Mix with 15 oz. jar Alfredo sauce. Pour mixture evenly over chicken in the 9x13 greased aluminum roasting pan and replace lid

Mama Mia Mushroom Pasta Sauce

Mix 1 ½ lbs. browned ground beef with ½ cup Mama Mia Marinara Sauce Mix , 2 (28 oz.) cans crushed tomatoes and 2 (4oz.) cans sliced mushrooms drained in gallon size bag

Rustic Herb Pork Tenderloin

Add 2 Tbsp. Rustic Herb Seasoning to 1 ½ lbs. pork tenderloins and mix well in gallon size bag

Fiesta Meatballs

Mix 22oz. frozen meatballs with 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes, 1 cup water, 1 ½ Tbsp. Fiesta Party Dip Mix and 1 ½ Tbsp. Onion Onion and mix well in gallon size bag

Artichoke & Spinach Chicken

Mix 1 ½ lbs. chicken breasts cubed with 10.75 oz. can cream of chicken soup, 1 packet of Artichoke & Spinach Warm Dip Mix, ½ cup water and salt and pepper to taste in gallon size bag

Beef & Onion Vegetable Soup

Mix 1 ½ lbs. browned ground beef with 1 jar Rich & Tender Beef Sauce, 3 Tbsp. Onion Onion, 6 cups water, 3 Tbsp. tomato paste and 16 oz. thawed frozen mixed vegetables in gallon size bag

Tikka Chicken

Mix 1 ½ llbs. Chicken breasts cubed, mayonnaise, golden mushroom soup, curry powder and water with 3-4 Tbsp. Onion Onion and 2-3 tsp. Fiesta Party Dip Mix in gallon size bag

Taco Terrific!

Mix 1 lb. browned ground beef and cumin with 1 Tbsp. Fiesta Party Dip Mix, 1 Tbsp. Onion Onion, 8 oz. tomato sauce and ¼ cup water in gallon size bag

Mama Mia Chicken Fingers

Beat 2 eggs with 1 Tbsp. of Mama Mia Marinara Sauce Mix in mixing bowl. Mix 1 cup breadcrumbs with ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese on a paper plate. Coat Chicken strips with egg mixture and then dredge in breadcrumb mixture. Place about 6 chicken fingers on a sheet of wax paper. Layer another piece of wax paper on top of chicken fingers and repeat until all of chicken is stacked with layers of wax paper in between. Place in gallon size bag. Mix 2 Tbsp. of Mama Mia Marinara Sauce Mix with 15 oz. can tomato sauce in a gallon size bag.

Cooking Instructions (for outside of bag)

Artichoke & Spinach Chicken

Thaw completely. Place contents in a greased slow cooker. Cook on low 2-3 hours or until tender. Add 2-3 Tbsp water or milk if chicken becomes too dry.

Beef Onion Vegetable Soup

Thaw completely. Place in a large soup pan. Bring to a simmer, add rice, cook covered an additional 5 minutes or until rice is tender.

Fiesta Meatballs

Thaw completely. Place meatballs and sauce in a greased slow cooker. Heat on low 2-3 hours or up to 8 hours.

Mama Mia Chicken Fingers

Preheat oven to 350. Place frozen chicken fingers on a greased baking sheet. Bake 30-40 minutes. Prepare Mama Mia Marinara Sauce while chicken fingers are baking.

Mama Mia Mushroom Pasta Sauce

Thaw completely. Place sauce in a large pan; heat through. Serve over pasta.

Rustic Herb Pork Tenderloin

Thaw completely. Preheat oven to 350. Brown pork tenderloins on both sides in a large greased oven-safe skillet. Finish baking pork tenderloins in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until slightly pink in the middle.

Simple Turkey Dinner

Thaw completely. Place turkey in a greased slow cooker. Cook on low 8-10 hours.

Smoked Bacon Chicken

Thaw completely. Preheat oven to 350. Bake, uncovered, for 30-40 minutes. Cover with foil if top browns too quickly.

Taco Terrific!

Thaw completely. Heat on stove in a medium saucepan or in a microwave-safe dish.

Tikka Chicken

Thaw completely. Pour mixture in to a greased slow cooker. Cook on low 3-4 hours. Stir in 1 cup of peas (thawed if frozen) for the last 30 minutes of cooking.

 

 

weekly menu plan

Remembering I have a blog today so that I can participate in the great menu exchange! :-) This is not meant to be a week of healthy meals, but of tried-and-true family favorites. So here goes!

Monday
Killer White Chili served with crushed tortilla chips and corn bread. This recipe comes from a fabulous bridal shower gift I received 9 years ago...everyone at work put together a recipe book with their favorites, and this has been our fave from the bunch so far.

1 large jar, Great Northern Beans
1 lb chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
1 cup chicken broth
1 tsp cumin
1 small jar salsa
8 oz pepper jack cheese, shredded
1 can beer (optional)

Throw it all in a crock pot and cook on low all day. Tastes better the 2nd and 3rd time you reheat!

Tuesday
Pizza Pasta Casserole. Make an extra for next week!

Wednesday
Crispy Baked Pesto Chicken.

Thursday
Marvellous Mini Meatloaves. We prefer the Italian and BBQ versions.

Friday
We don't cook on Fridays. It just doesn't happen. Or really much on the weekends, if I'm being honest. But in the spirit of sharing, I'll do my best. :-)

Sweet and Tangy Chicken. Dubbed "chicken meal" in college, it is a long-time favorite for over a decade.

Saturday
Tony's Famous Cheeseburgers. Unfortunately, I can't divulge this secret under penalty of death by my husband. ;-) Here's what I can share: low fat ground beef, bread crumbs, A1, and a little Garlic Garlic or Onion Onion (but not both) from Tastefully Simple. Mix it by hand like a meatloaf, form patties, and grill to medium. Add cheese. Serve on Aunt Millie's wheat buns. I prefer mine with just ketchup and bread & butter pickles. Patties are generally too large for a side, but go great with a pasta salad or wedge fries.

Sunday
One-Pan Pork Roast With Parmesan Fries. Yum.

the shoeless score

freezing cold at soccer today, but ryan kept going despite losing his shoe - and managed to score a barefoot goal! that's my boy! ;-)

in love

with my new family photos, courtesy of April Harnish Photography! I signed us up for a Mommy & Me session as a gift to myself for Mother's Day, and then I thought it would be the perfect time to have some pics taken of me with MY mom...so we did! I can't wait to have them printed and framed...but first I have to decide which ones I want! Tough decision!

singing time with ryan - "good ol' boys"

sorry about the long ending...stop button wouldn't work! :-)

getting ready for 2009 craft fairs!

hey everyone - long time no blog again! :-) my mom and i are getting ready for this year's round of craft fairs...i hope you will come visit us again! we'll have our custom photo holiday cards, crayon rolls, camera straps, baby stuff, and coffee cozies of course, but this year we are also adding MORE fun stuff! come check out our new clothing and accessories for your little girls, magic wands, and jars of fun!

you can find us at the St. Malachy Christmas Bazaar on November 7! See you there!

long time no blog!

Let's see...at 3 years old Ryan is 38 inches tall and 34 pounds. He is playing soccer this spring and loving it. First game is this Saturday and we're so excited to see how it goes! First team picture is this weekend, too. This weekend was spent purchasing and building Ryan's new swing set! The boy is in heaven!! Looking forward to a relaxing Mother's Day weekend.

more pics

So, I'm not doing very well on my photo a day, and it is only January! I have a long 11 more months to go...we'll see. But here are a few recent faves.

We got snowed in on January 28! 12.5" of snow - wow! Ryan had to walk out to make sure his sand box was okay. ;-)


Helping daddy shovel out the dogs.


First meal on the new stove - the infamous "chicken meal!"


Oh, and cupcakes, of course.

Fun in the DinoSphere at the Children's Museum!

Checking out the trains.

Ry refused to meet Batman, but I snuck a cool pic!

Loving the bulldozer.

We can't wait to go back soon to check out the Legos exhibit that opened today!

wow, i used to have really long hair

I'm not claiming these pictures are GOOD pictures of me, but man I miss my hair. This is what I am trying to get back to (only with my college body, too). And the next time you hear me say I'm thinking of going chin length again, SOMEBODY PLEASE STOP ME!

frosty the snowman!

raffle for a good cause

Need a new camera, camera bag, or camera strap, and have an extra $5 floating around? If so, you will definitely want to check out this post. You can also check it out if you are just a nice person and want to help a family finance the adoption of a little baby. :-)

my big helper

a few new pics

My sister-in-law Jacqueline sent me some pictures she had taken during the Keen Family Christmas and this past weekend bowling for our niece Amy's birthday. Since I've been slacking on the Project 365 photos (thanks for pointing that out, Rhonda! :-)), I thought I would share these instead! (Jacq - I edited them in photoshop to brighten them up a bit - let me know if you want me to send the edited versions back to you!)

At Scott & Stacie's house Christmas Eve...I'm going to guess I was about to give him a kiss. ;-)


Bowling for Amy's b-day. This was Ryan's 3rd time bowling...he lost interest after the first game when he discovered the game room that is reminiscent of a ghetto Chuck E. Cheese's. $15 later we had a light up rubber dice set and a Patrick bouncy ball.

project 365

While waiting for my kit to arrive, I thought I would go ahead and post the pictures I've taken so far so I don't forget the stories that go with them.

December 28, 2008
Tony's Uncle Dennis was unable to attend the Colts vs. Titans game and offered us his tickets! Jenni was kid-free for the weekend, so I asked her to go with me. Although many key players only started the game, we still had a great time cheering on our team to a 23-0 victory! This was my second time at the new Lucas Oil Stadium, but my first Colts game there.


December 29, 2008
A new favorite game to play in our house is fort-building with couch cushions, pillows, and a blanket.


December 30, 2008
Since I was home with Ryan during the holidays, I thought I would take advantage of the opportunity for some hard-core potty-training. We started out with his favorite pair of undies - Thomas, of course - and went through 3 more pairs today. The boy has little to no interest in stopping his play time to run to the bathroom, but I still have hope. I finally put a vinyl tablecloth down to try to save my floors!


December 31, 2008
After fighting me for over an hour, Ryan finally passed out on the couch watching Caillou. We had plans to be up late for a New Year's Eve party at the Russell's, so a nap was extra important today!


January 1, 2009
With Tony hungover and puking all morning, Ryan and I decided to distract ourselves by making bagel pizzas for lunch! I'm surprised any of the pepperoni actually made it onto the pizzas as fast as Ryan was eating them out of the package!


January 2, 2009
After a quick shopping trip to Meijer, we stopped at Chick-Fil-A for lunch and some play time. Such a nice surprise to run into Georgia, a super-cute friend from daycare! Ryan and Georgia played hide-and-seek for quite some time before I could finally tear him away to head home.


January 3, 2009
This never fails to crack up both Ryan and me. Tony hides behind a wall and holds Ryan up horizontally so it looks like he is peeking around the corner - they always start up high by the ceiling, then work their way down to the floor.

Merry Christmas!

Hope everyone had as nice a Christmas as we did. It was very sad missing Dad so much, but Ryan's excitement over EVERYthing helped keep my spirit up.

I'm not sure why Blogger always puts my pics in reverse order from how I upload them, but I'm tired of fixing them, so what you see is what you get. :-)

Can you believe that, although I took my camera over to Scott & Stacie's house for Keen Christmas on Christmas Eve and took lots of pictures, I left my memory card sitting on the desk at home so I ended up with NO PICTURES?! Jacqueline - you'll have to send me some of yours, please!