Super Mac and Cheese

I was excited when I saw this recipe.  It is easy to hide some great veggies for those picky eaters.  It also freezes well.  My little guy has had 2 so far this week :P

I didnt have any pumpkin on hand.  I used some frozen pureed sweet potato or butternut squash.  I aslo included some cauliflower into the mix :)

Once the pasta mixture is ready, I divided the mixture into muffin tins.  Once frozen, pop out of tin and place into freezer bags.

http://www.nurturebaby.com/products/19/67/supermac_cheese/

Meat Loaf

As I mentioned in my other post, tonight I did some freezer cooking for my little man.  It included yummy meat balls and meat loaf.  My husband liked the meat loaf so much, he wants some for his work lunch (and he doesnt take a lunch to work, lol)

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef

2 cups grated carrot or other root vegetable (I used sweet potatoe and carrots)

1.5 cups bread crumbs

1 egg

Preheat the oven to 350ºF.

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Press gently into greased muffin cups.  Bake until no longer pink about 30 minutes for muffins.

Let the muffins cool and place in ziplock bags to freeze.

Cooking Directions from Freezer

Defrost and warm up in the oven.

Week Update!

I am finally getting back on track with my eating habits.  This week we had the following freezer meals: roast, spaghetti sauce and tonight was tacos!  The time that I saved with meal prep I was able to do some cooking tonight.  I made some yummy meals for my little guy to keep in the freezer for quick meals on the go!  Recipes to come :)

Chicken Wings

It has been some time since I have blogged.  Lots has been going on.  Vacation, going back to work and getting ready for my littles guys first birthday!

We love chicken wings at home and it took some time for me to find a baked recipe at home.  This one is a big hit with our family and friends!  I find that Costco is cheaper for chicken wings.  They also come prepared so I dont have to do any extra cutting of the wing.

Ingredients

3 lbs chicken wings
salt
fresh ground pepper
2 cups tangy barbecue sauce

To Prepare for Freezing

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Season the chicken wings on both sides with salt and pepper.  Set them in a single layer in a large roasting or baking pan.  I line my pan with foil.  Bake the chicken wings, turning once, until browned, about 45 minutes.

Let wings cool.  Put into freezer bags.

Cooking Directions from Freezer

Take wings out and defrost.  Pour the barbecue sauce over the chicken wings and bake in oven at 350.  Bake for 10 minutes.  Turn the wings over and bake 10 minutes longer.

Turkey Slow Cooker Soup - Freezer Friendly!

I love it when I get to make a turkey!  It means I get to have left overs for soup :) 

Ingredients

1 turkey carcass, broken into several pieces
8 cups or water or brooth
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 onions, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 tablespoons parsley, fresh chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
1 bay leaves
6 ounces noodles, cooked and drained

To Prepare for Freezing

Combine turkey carcass and water in crock pot. Add salt, pepper, onion, celery, carrots, parsley, marjoram, and bay leaf.  Cover and cook on LOW 5-6 hours.  Remove carcass and bay leaf from cooker.  Take meat off bones and return meat to broth.  Discard bones and bay leaf.
Let cool and place into freezer bags.



Cooking Directions from Freezer

Defrost.  Add cooked noodles to the pot.  Warm up soup and then serve.  You might have to add a bit of extra water.

Baked Ziti

Life has been so busy that I havent gotten around to blogging.  I have to be honest, I havent been eating too much from my freezer (bad!)

I was really excited to try this recipe.  I was really disappointed with the results but my husband said he really enjoyed the dish.  So I decided to blog to see what other people might think of it :)

Ingredients

1 pound dry ziti pasta
1 onion, chopped
1 pound lean ground beef (season with pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and minced garlic)
2 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce (I added a zucchini to my sauce just for more veggies!)
8 slices provolone cheese
6 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

To Prepare for Freezing

Cook pasta until al dente, about 7-8 minutes; drain and set aside.  In a large skillet, brown onion and ground beef over medium heat. Add spaghetti sauce, and simmer 15 minutes. 
Layer the pan as follows: 1/4 of the ziti, 1/4 of the sauce, 4 slices of Provolone cheese, 1/4 of ziti, 1/4 mozzarella cheese and 1/4 of sauce mixture. Top with grated Parmesan cheese and remaining mozzarella cheese. 

Cooking Directions from Freezer

Defrost in fridge.  Preheat over to 350.  Bake covered for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheeses are melted.

Balsalmic BBQ Chicken

Lately I have been craving balsalmic vinegar.  So off I went to see what I could try since I had lots of chicken to use up.  I combined a couple of different recipes to get this one!  I think next time I will not add as much vinegar as it was a bit tangy.

Ingredients

1/2 cup balsalmic vinegar (I would try 1/3 cup)
1/2 BBQ sauce
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/3 cup brown sugar

To Prepare for Freezing

 Mix everything together in a bowl.  Place chicken into freezer bag.  Pour mixture into bag.  Rub chicken to ensure it is covered. 

Cooking Directions from Freezer

Defrost.  Place chicken into baking dish with mixture.  Bake 375 of 35 mins.