Healthy Mama BBQ Chicken Freezer Meal Recipe

Healthy Mama BBQ Chicken
adapted from Stephanie of mamaandbabylove.com

Ingredients:
5 medium unpeeled red potatoes, cut into 1/2 inch pieces, about 2 cups.
2 large green peppers (red, orange, or yellow also work well), cut into chunks, about 2 cups.
1 zucchini, chopped, about 1 cups.
1 medium onion, chopped, about 1 cup
2 tablespoon quick cooking tapioca (or flour, or some other thickening agent).
3-4 chicken breasts
1 (15-oz) can of tomato sauce
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
2 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt

Directions:
Place everything into a gallon-sized freezer bag. Mix around, making sure all vegetables are coated with some sauce.  Make sure as much air as possible is removed from bag. Label and lay flat in the freezer.

Freezer Meal Label:
Day of cooking, thaw on your counter for 30-60 minutes, or until it can easily be removed from the bag. Place contents into your slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours, or until chicken is cooked through and veggies are tender. Serve over egg noodles or rice, if desired.

Notes:
I included the chicken in a separate bag because it was pre-frozen. I just labeled one bag (1 of 2) and the other (2 of 2) to make sure they remembered to add the chicken (and stir sometime during cooking).

Mexican Black Bean Casserole Freezer Meal Recipe

Mexican Black Bean Casserole

Adapted from http://momonamission.me/

Ingredients:

·      1 can whole kernel corn, drained and rinsed, or 1 ½ cups frozen corn (about 16 oz)

·      1 can black beans, rinsed (1 ½ cups)

·      1 (14.5 oz.) can diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano

·      1 (4 oz) can chopped green chilies

·      1/3 cup sliced green onions

·      ¼ cup chopped cilantro, optional

·      2 tsp ground cumin

·      1 tsp oregano

·      1/8 tsp chipotle chili powder, optional

·      4 small (about 6 inch) corn tortillas

·      1 ½ to 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (you could also use a Mexican blend)

Instructions:

·      Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease a 9x13 pan with cooking spray.

·      Combine the first nine ingredients in a bowl and mix well.

·      Place 2 tortillas side-by-side in the bottom of the pan. Spoon ½ of the bean, corn, and tomato mixture over the tortillas. Top with ¾ to 1 cup of cheese. Repeat the layers in each pan.

·      Cover with foil and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.

·      Serving Suggestions: Garnish with sour cream or guacamole. Serve with green salad and/or vegetable, Mexican rice, tortilla chips and salsa.

Freezing Directions: Cover with labeled foil and freeze. Thaw for 24 hours and bake covered at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. (I lined a 9x13 pan with foil, assembled casserole, covered with plastic wrap & more foil, and then placed in the freezer. After frozen, I removed the foil-covered casserole and placed it in a large Ziploc bag with a label. This way it takes up less room in the freezer and you don’t have your pans in the freezer.)

Freezer Meal Label:

Remove from bag, place in 9x13 baking pan, and thaw in refrigerator for 24 hours. Remove plastic wrap and replace foil. Bake covered at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.

Serving Suggestions: Garnish with sour cream or guacamole. Serve with green salad and/or vegetable, Mexican rice, tortilla chips and salsa.

Navajo Tacos Freezer Meal Recipe

Navajo Tacos Freezer Meal

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1 can kidney beans, drained & rinsed
1 can diced tomatoes
1/2 - 1 packet taco seasoning
can of biscuits
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
2 tsp dry ranch dressing mix
shredded cheese
lettuce
other toppings, if desired (salsa, guacamole, sliced olives, etc)

Directions:
Brown ground beef, drain. Add seasoning, beans, and tomatoes. Simmer 10 minutes. Mix together sour cream, lemon juice, and dry ranch mix. Preheat a frying pan on the stove over medium to med-high heat. Open can of biscuits. Roll each individual biscuit out very thin. Cook biscuits one at a time in the frying pan, flipping once (done after golden brown on both sides). Prepare an assembly line. First spread a thin layer of sour cream mixture over cooked biscuit. Then add meat, cheese, lettuce, and other toppings if desired.

Freezer Meal Directions:
Brown ground beef, drain. Add seasoning, beans, and tomatoes. Simmer 10 minutes. Let cool. Spoon into a freezer-safe baggie. Include a can of biscuits (can these be frozen?? I put mine in the fridge), separate baggies of shredded cheese, and ranch dressing mix.

Freezer Meal Label:
NOT included: lettuce, sour cream, fresh lemon juice, other toppings
Thaw. Reheat meat mixture in a skillet. Mix together sour cream, lemon juice, and dry ranch mix. Preheat a frying pan on the stove over medium to med-high heat. Open can of biscuits. Roll each individual biscuit out very thin. Cook biscuits one at a time in the frying pan, flipping once (done after golden brown on both sides). Prepare an assembly line. First spread a thin layer of sour cream mixture over cooked biscuit. Then add meat, cheese, lettuce, and other toppings if desired.

Cream Cheese Chicken Chili Freezer Meal Recipe

Cream Cheese Chicken Chili Freezer Meal

Ingredients:
1 can black beans
1 can corn, undrained
1 can Rotel, undrained
1 package ranch dressing mix
1 tsp cumin
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp onion powder
8 oz light cream cheese
2 chicken breasts

Directions:
Drain and rinse black beans. Place chicken at bottom of crock pot, then pour out whole can of corn, Rotel, and black beans. Top with seasonings and ranch mix. Stir together. Place cream cheese on top. Cover with lid and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Stir cream cheese into chili. Use 2 forks to shred chicken. Stir together and serve.

Freezer Meal Directions:
Place all ingredients except cream cheese in a freezer-safe baggie. Mix together. Include 8 oz package of light cream cheese (have them place cream cheese in refrigerator - it can be frozen but it changes texture a little bit; it lasts quite a while in fridge).

Freezer Meal Label:
Thaw. Place into a 6-quart crock pot. Place cream cheese on top. Cover with lid and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Stir cream cheese into chili. Use 2 forks to shred chicken. Stir together and serve.

***I've made this recipe, and I would suggest adding only 1/2 the amount of cream cheese. Also, it tastes great garnished with fresh tortilla chips.***

Ravioli Bake Freezer Meal Recipe

Ravioli Bake Freezer Meal

Ingredients:
1 (16 oz) jar spaghetti sauce
1 (14 1/2 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1/4 cup Italian dressing
2 (9 oz, each) packages refrigerated or frozen cheese-filled ravioli
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tsp basil

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine spaghetti sauce, tomatoes & liquid, dressing, & basil in a 13x9 baking dish. Add ravioli & mix lightly. Cover with foil. Bake 50 minutes or until ravioli are tender. Remove foil, stir. Sprinkle with cheese. Let stand 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Freezer Meal Directions:
Combine spaghetti sauce, tomatoes & liquid, dressing, & basil in a freezer-safe baggie. Include separate baggie of ravioli and separate baggie of cheese.

Freezer Meal Label:
Thaw tomato sauce and cheese. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Pour tomato sauce into 13x9 baking dish. Add frozen ravioli and mix lightly. Cover with foil. Bake 50 minutes or until ravioli are tender. Remove foil, stir. Sprinkle with cheese. Let stand 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Fajita Chicken Freezer Meal Recipe

Fajita Chicken Freezer Meal

Ingredients:
2 cooked chicken breasts sliced or shredded OR 1/2 rotisserie chicken
1 bag frozen bell peppers OR 2-3 fresh chopped bell peppers
1 small onion, chopped (optional)
ground cumin
Cajun seasoning
chili powder
garlic salt
ground cayenne red pepper
ground coriander seed
tortillas or rice

Directions:
Mix chicken, bell peppers, & onion. Sprinkle each spice all over the top (until you can see each spice). Go easy with chili powder, red pepper, & Cajun seasoning if sensitive to spice (good to have a little extra if serving it with sour cream and guacamole). Mix & cook in a skillet until warm (or fresh bell peppers are tender). Serve on tortillas or over rice. Great with sour cream, or greek yogurt & guacamole.
- Easy sides ideas: Beans, rice, simple salad.

Freezer Meal Directions:
Prepare as directed without onion & bell peppers. Place seasoned chicken in a freezer-safe bag. Include frozen bell peppers & tortillas. Instruct to add fresh onion, if desired.

Freezer Meal Label:
Thaw chicken. Chop small onion, if desired. Add seasoned chicken, onion, and frozen bell peppers to a skillet. Heat until warm. Serve on tortillas or over rice. Great with sour cream, or greek yogurt & guacamole. - Easy sides ideas: Beans, rice, simple salad.

Shepherd's Pie Freezer Meal Recipe

Shepherd’s Pie Freezer Meal
Recipe by Our Best Bites


Ingredients:
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 medium onion, minced
4-5 cloves garlic, minced
1 1-lb. bag frozen vegetables (I used peas and carrots)
1 teaspoon seasoning salt
1 1/2 teaspoons dried parsley
pinch of dried thyme
10 dashes Tabasco sauce
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
6 ounces V8 juice
1 14.5-ounce can beef broth
1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
6 cups mashed potatoes (I used this tutorial with russet potatoes and buttermilk)
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1/2 cup freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions:
In a large saucepan or skillet, brown ground beef with onion and garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, until the meat is browned and the onions and garlic are tender and fragrant. Add the frozen veggies and cook, stirring frequently, until most of the moisture has evaporated. Add seasoned salt, parsley, thyme, and Tabasco and stir until combined. Add the flour and stir until completely coated.
Add the vinegar, V8 juice, and beef broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture is thickened (about 15 minutes).
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
While the beef mixture is simmering, prepare the potatoes according to your preference. Add the Parmesan and sharp cheddar cheeses. Spoon into a gallon-sized heavy-duty Ziploc bag and set aside.
When the beef mixture is done simmering, season to taste and then ladle the beef mixture into a 9x13 baking dish. Cut the corner off the Ziploc bag and pipe onto the beef mixture. Place in oven for 15 minutes and bake until lightly browned on top. Serves 6.

Freezer Meal Instructions:
After beef and vegetable mixture is cooked, cool and ladle into freezer-safe baggies. After cheeses are added to mashed potatoes, cool, & spoon potatoes into a freezer-safe baggie. Lay flat to freeze.

Freezer Meal Label:
Thaw. Preheat oven to 375. Place beef mixture into bottom of 9x13 pan. Without opening bag, mix mashed potatoes. If they appear a little watery, add a little sour cream to thicken. Cut the corner off the freezer bag and pipe onto the beef mixture. Place in oven for 45-60 minutes and bake until lightly bubbly & lightly browned on top.

Chicken Parmesan Freezer Meal Recipe

Chicken Parmesan Freezer Meal

Ingredients:
3-4 chicken breasts
2 cups flour
2 eggs
splash of milk
2 cups bread crumbs
1 cup Parmesan cheese
1 tsp Italian seasoning (omit if using seasoned bread crumbs)
salt & pepper
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1 jar favorite spaghetti sauce

Directions:
Prepare an assembly line with three bowls. Put flour in the first bowl; eggs & milk in the second; and bread crumbs, cheese, & Italian seasoning (combined) in the third. Season chicken breasts with salt & pepper. Place chicken in flour bowl and coat both sides, then dip in egg mixture bowl, followed by bread crumbs and cheese bowl mixture. Repeat with each breast. Put spaghetti sauce in casserole dish leaving about 1/4 in jar. Place chicken on top and pour remaining sauce on top of each breast, followed by mozzarella cheese. Cook at 400 degrees, covered, for 35 min. Take foil off and cook for 10 more min. If frozen, cook at 400 for 1 1/2 hours.

Freezer Meal Directions:
After coating chicken breasts in the 3 bowls, wrap each individual breast with plastic wrap and place in a labeled, freezer-safe baggie.

Freezer Meal Label:
2 options:
1. Thaw. Put spaghetti sauce in casserole dish leaving about 1/4 in jar. Place chicken on top and pour remaining sauce on top of each breast, followed by mozzarella cheese. Cook at 400 degrees, covered, for 35 min. Take foil off and cook for 10 more min.
2. If frozen, cook at 400 for 1 1/2 hours.

Oven Baked Chicken Fajitas Freezer Meal Recipe

Oven Baked Chicken Fajitas Freezer Meal

Ingredients:
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
2 tsp chili powder
2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp salt
1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 medium onion, sliced
1 large bell pepper, seeded & sliced
12 flour tortillas
toppings such as cheese, sour cream, and guacamole - if desired

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400. Grease a 13x9 baking dish. Place chicken strips in dish. Set aside.
2. In a small bowl place next 6 ingredients (oil through salt). Mix well.
3. Drizzle oil/spice mixture over chicken. Stir, & make sure chicken is well coated.
4. Add can of tomatoes, sliced onion, and peppers. Stir to coat.
5. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes (until chicken is cooked through) & vegetables are tender. Serve on warmed tortillas with toppings of your choice.

Freezer Meal Instructions:
Place all ingredients into a labeled gallon-sized ziploc container.  Mix well. Freeze.

Label as follows:
Oven Baked Chicken Fajitas
Thaw. Place contents of bag into a greased 13x9 baking dish. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes. Serve on warmed tortillas with toppings of your choice.