I’ve touted the time-saving benefits of freezer cooking many times. It’s a great way to simplify the age-old “What’s for dinner???” question on busy weeknights. Sometimes referred to as “once a month cooking,” freezer cooking will also help you save money, as well.
Saving Money with Freezer Cooking
Save by buying in bulk.
While shopping at warehouse clubs isn’t an issue for my larger-than-average family, those of you with fewer or younger children might find that the huge packages you take home from a Sam’s Club or Costco are simply too much to use up before the item spoils. Planning a large freezer cooking session will allow you to use up these large packages in one fell swoop, allowing you to enjoy that savings that buying in bulk provides.
Save by grocery shopping less.
I don’t know about you, but even when I go to the grocery store with a list, I often end up coming home with items that weren’t on the list — especially when shopping at superstores like Walmart or Target. When you have a month’s worth of ready-made meals waiting in your freezer, you may only need to pick up milk and some fresh produce each week. Shopping less frequently helps you to avoid the temptation to grab unnecessary items altogether.
Save by limiting eating out.
It’s just a no brainer that cooking at home is going to save money over ordering takeout or eating out on any given night. My family enjoys eating out together, and sometimes it’s a necessity when we’re traveling for sports, but balancing those splurges with eating at home as often as possible the rest of the time helps us stay within our budget.
I know freezer cooking might seem a little overwhelming to some of you, and that’s okay. You know how they say there’s more than one way to skin a cat? Well, there’s more than one way to do freezer cooking. Maybe you’re ambitious and want to do a weekend spree to cook for an entire month — good for you! If you have less time, try a smaller 4-5 hour session.
Or if you’re really pinched for time (and this is my favorite method), simply double whatever you’re preparing for dinner on a given night. Finish one batch for dinner, and pop the other into the freezer for later.
And who says freezer cooking has to be limited to dinners? I love to make a double batch of cookie dough and freeze half to bake a few here and there. You can find instructions on how to freezer cookie dough on Unsophisticook.
Some other recipes that I often prepare for my freezer are:
- Triple Berry Freezer Jam
- Freezer Smoothies
- Homemade Pumpkin Puree
- Homemade Uncrustables Sandwiches
- Italian Romano Meatballs
:: Recommended Resources
If you’re thinking about trying freezer cooking yourself, I wholeheartedly endorse the following resources. They’ll guide you through the process step by step, from creating a meal plan, shopping and prepping, to tips for keeping your meals as fresh as possible!
- Fix, Freeze, Feast: The Delicious, Money-Saving Way to Feed Your Family
- Not Your Mother’s Make-Ahead and Freeze Cookbook
- Once A Month Meals
What is your favorite meal or recipe to keep in the freezer? Share in the comments and you could win a Scott Towels prize package valued at $50!
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This post is brought to you by Kimberly-Clark. All opinions are 100% mine.
dawn
Homemade chicken enchilada soup, or any soup.
Lisa
I love to freeze chili and lasagna!
Kathy Linklater
Chicken ‘n Stuffing Casserole
shelleyb
I like to freeze half the batch of lasagna. Easy breezy.
Laura J
Oh I love to make ahead Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas and freeze them for a busy night!!!
Christina Foley
I love to freeze cookie dough, we only eat warm fresh cookies so its great to have dough ready to pop in the oven when we have a craving. I also freeze a lot of breakfast items for the kids… Sundays I make pancakes, waffles, breakfast burritos, eggs for breakfast sandwiches… makes mornings so much easier!
Julia
We have a chicken & wild rice casserole recipe that I never get tired of that freezes well.
Misty Swearingen
Taco Soup!
Jodie Roberge
Meatloaf of course!
Andrea Williams
I like to freeze lasagna or different kinds of soup.
beth
Breakfast bites – wanton wrappers filled with eggs, meat and cheese.
Shawnda
Meatloaf
angie depue
stew and soups!
Tracy
Taco meat is my go to
PS
We keep homemade chimichangas in the freezer almost all the time. However, the tip I give anyone trying to save some time and eat at home more is to brown a bunch of ground beef at once and freeze it in baggies. You can make lots of quick meals if your meat is already cooked.
Kim Ayers
Meatloaf
Stephanie
Chicken fajitas
Andrea R
I like to freeze cookies.
Jessie C.
My favorite is bell peppers and spinach lasagna.
Tiffany Dover
lasagna or burgers!
Heather Howard
Casseroles and Stews
Carla Coe
I like to blend fresh strawberries,blueberries and pinapple in the blender then freeze in Ziploc individual baggies and take out and blend to a slushy as disired.
Kristy
Tortilla soup freezes well and my family loves it!
Eva Mailand
Chicken Gumbo, just reheat and make new batches of rice every time, no one can ever tell its been frozen. YUM, YUM
Cindy Demaree
Stuffed Shells
Debbie
Chili and chocolate chip cookie dough rolled in logs.
Katy P
I like to make lasagne
Janice
I like to keep lasagna as well! I also like to freeze bananas to put in different smoothie recipes.
Cori Westphal
It’s not necessarily a meal, but I keep chopped carrots and peas from our garden in baggies of 1 and 2 cups. They are perfect for soups and stir fries and whatever else. It’s a lot of work at the time, but it saves a ton in the long run!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
ELIZABETH MARRERO
GREAT TIPS,LOVE THIS PAPER TOWEL TOO,STEWS,BEANS,COOKED MEAT,RICE,CASSEROLES,EMPANADAS,PANCAKES ECT FREEZE GOOD TTOO