Last week, I tried cooking several meals at once for the first time. It went well, so I thought I’d give it another try.
I chose even simpler meals, and cooking/prep work/clean up took about an hour!
I made two meatloaves (we thought the recipe was really delicious last week!), beef stroganoff, and a double portion of Caribbean jerk chicken (also a repeat from last week. Yum!). These meals will join two freezer bags full of spaghetti sauce that I made last week.
For dinner this week, we’ll eat:
- Crockpot pork tenderloin
- Meatloaf and a green veggie and maybe a baked potato
- Caribbean jerk chicken with steamed rice and a veggie
- Ham & cheese omlettes
- Frozen pizza
- Beef stroganoff over noodles
- Spaghetti (if we feel like it)
- Grilled cheese sandwiches and maybe soup or a veggie
Based on sale prices I’m able to get on meat at the grocery, I do plan to continue a bulk cooking session once per week or so. I’ll gradually add more recipes to cook at once, and I’ll make double, triple, or quadruple portions of each to save even more time.
As I mentioned, I made double portions of the meatloaf and chicken this week. It took an extra five minutes tops to make a second batch.
I probably will continue to mix in freezer meals with stuff I whip up on the fly. It doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing thing–just make it work for you!
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Since I just got a chest freezer, I started making meals ahead & freezing them last week too- but I’m just cooking extra along with our normal meals, and freezing what’s left. So far, I have 2 baked mac & cheese pans in the freezer, and 1 small meatloaf. Thanks for the ideas to add to the list!
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I plan on starting to do this too! I think it’s a great idea. My problem before was that I definitely did make it “all or nothing” - this time I’m going to just do what I can, when I can!
Sherry
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I tried the Caribbean Jerk Chicken recipe (well, I used pork instead because we didn’t have chicken) and it was the best we have ever had!! Dh was really impressed.
I love your cooking in bulk idea. I try to do that sometimes, but with a embarrassingly small freezer, it’s not possible most of the time.
Thanks for posting your recipes!
[...] a takeout or restaurant tab sounds good to me! Kacie at Sense To Save has also been doing some bulk freezer cooking and has some ideas for [...]
I saw one of your other reader say that she has a small freezer. A tip for her would be to freeze in ziploc bags they can be frozen flat and stacked for convienence.
As you continue with this weekly bulk cooking consider doing just one extra meal a week. Eventually it will all add up. This is most helpfull when new babies arrive you won’t have to cook daily.
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Such a great idea. I’ve been toying with the idea of filling our freezer with meals, just haven’t yet. Last night, I began looking through a cookbook, and your post today inspires me even more. Thanks!
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Glad you liked the jerk chicken recipe, Tammy! We were surprised at how much we liked it. The seasoning is pretty unique, and I’ve never had anything quite like it.
Instead of grilling it, we baked it at 350 for 45 mins or so, covered. Juicy and so good!
Sharon, I agree that freezer bags can really help in a small freezer since things can be stored flat.
I just have a regular freezer on a regular-sized fridge, and I think I’ll be able to fit a few weeks worth of meals in there (plus ice cream!).
Amanda, if you give bulk cooking a try, best wishes! It’s not nearly as hard as I thought! Don’t do too much at first, and you won’t be overwhelmed.
Sounds tasty!
Can I come over for supper when you have that Caribbean jerk chicken? I don’t think Seattle to Pittsburgh is all that big a commute for some good cooking. Maybe I can grab some Tastykakes while I’m in the area. I miss Tastykakes.
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