A lot of people shy away from crock pot cooking during the week because there is usually a lot of prep involved. If you're not a morning person it's hard to handle a full dinner prep, eat breakfast, and get dressed and be on time for work.
Prepping for an hour or two over the weekend and freezing those meals makes crock potting a breeze!
It takes about 2 hours to make 6 of these by myself but then it takes just 5 minutes to make dinner during the week! Worth it!
Here are some tried and true crock pot recipes we've discovered over the years. All frozen and cooked to perfection. Of course there are a bevy of recipes out there and we're trying new ones all the time, so expect a part 2, 3, etc. of this post. What freezer meals work for you?
Prepping for an hour or two over the weekend and freezing those meals makes crock potting a breeze!
I usually start by picking 5 or 6 recipes and gathering all of the ingredients.
Then I cut and prep all of my meat, then veggies, then sauces.
I label everything and freeze it.
It takes about 2 hours to make 6 of these by myself but then it takes just 5 minutes to make dinner during the week! Worth it!
Here are some tried and true crock pot recipes we've discovered over the years. All frozen and cooked to perfection. Of course there are a bevy of recipes out there and we're trying new ones all the time, so expect a part 2, 3, etc. of this post. What freezer meals work for you?
Chicken & Rice
2 Cups Wheat Minute Rice
1 Can Reduced Fat Cream of Chicken Soup
1 Can Cream of Celery Soup
1 Can Water
1 Packet of Dry Onion Soup Mix
4 Chicken Breasts - Cut up into strips or chunks
I usually start by cutting up my chicken and placing it in a freezer Ziploc bag, then I add the rest of my ingredients, mix it up and freeze it! Thaw it in the freezer overnight and cook in the crock pot on low for 8 hours. Be sure to label your Ziploc with the name of the recipe and how long to cook it.
2 Cups Wheat Minute Rice
1 Can Reduced Fat Cream of Chicken Soup
1 Can Cream of Celery Soup
1 Can Water
1 Packet of Dry Onion Soup Mix
4 Chicken Breasts - Cut up into strips or chunks
I usually start by cutting up my chicken and placing it in a freezer Ziploc bag, then I add the rest of my ingredients, mix it up and freeze it! Thaw it in the freezer overnight and cook in the crock pot on low for 8 hours. Be sure to label your Ziploc with the name of the recipe and how long to cook it.
Creamy Chicken and Chives - Betty Crocker
1 Can Reduced Fat Cream of Chicken Soup
1/2 8 oz container of Chive and Onion Cream Cheese
1/2 Cup White Wine
1/4 Cup Butter
1 Packet Italian Dressing Mix
4 Chicken Breasts - Cut up in strips or chunks
1 box Whole Wheat Rotini Pasta
Again, I start by cutting up my Chicken and placing it in a freezer Ziploc bag, then I add the rest of my ingredients. With this recipe, you'll need to melt the butter in a sauce pan and combine your cream cheese, dressing mix, cream of chicken soup and white wine - stirring until well combined. When the mixture has cooled, pour it into your freezer bag with your chicken and freeze. Defrost in the fridge overnight and cook on low for 8 hours. Serve over pasta.
Chicken Curry
4 Chicken Breasts - Cut up in strips or chunks
2 Bottles of Trader Joe's Yellow Curry
4-5 Red Potatoes sliced or cut into chunks
This one is easy - Cut up your chicken and potatoes, toss them in a Ziploc freezer bag and pour in your ready made sauce. Freeze. When ready to cook, defrost in fridge overnight and cook on low for 8 hours. Serve with Trader Joe's Microwave Jasmine Rice.
The Most Amazing Pork Chops Ever - Crockin' Girls
You must make this one...they truly are AMAZING Pork Chops. I added potatoes to the mix this time - I'll let you know how that turns out. The gravy is so, so good! I imagine they would be incredible with mashed potatoes.
1 Can Reduced Fat Cream of Chicken Soup
1/2 8 oz container of Chive and Onion Cream Cheese
1/2 Cup White Wine
1/4 Cup Butter
1 Packet Italian Dressing Mix
4 Chicken Breasts - Cut up in strips or chunks
1 box Whole Wheat Rotini Pasta
Again, I start by cutting up my Chicken and placing it in a freezer Ziploc bag, then I add the rest of my ingredients. With this recipe, you'll need to melt the butter in a sauce pan and combine your cream cheese, dressing mix, cream of chicken soup and white wine - stirring until well combined. When the mixture has cooled, pour it into your freezer bag with your chicken and freeze. Defrost in the fridge overnight and cook on low for 8 hours. Serve over pasta.
Chicken Curry
4 Chicken Breasts - Cut up in strips or chunks
2 Bottles of Trader Joe's Yellow Curry
4-5 Red Potatoes sliced or cut into chunks
This one is easy - Cut up your chicken and potatoes, toss them in a Ziploc freezer bag and pour in your ready made sauce. Freeze. When ready to cook, defrost in fridge overnight and cook on low for 8 hours. Serve with Trader Joe's Microwave Jasmine Rice.
The Most Amazing Pork Chops Ever - Crockin' Girls
You must make this one...they truly are AMAZING Pork Chops. I added potatoes to the mix this time - I'll let you know how that turns out. The gravy is so, so good! I imagine they would be incredible with mashed potatoes.
Crock Pot Hawaiian Chicken - Saving You Dinero
This one is also quite delicious and so easy to put together! Try it!
Most people recommend freezing your bags flat for more freezer room but I like to freeze mine upright so it kind of takes the shape of my crock pot. I find it doesn't defrost that much overnight and its hard to make it fit in the crock pot if it's frozen flat. Just a thought.
This one is also quite delicious and so easy to put together! Try it!
Most people recommend freezing your bags flat for more freezer room but I like to freeze mine upright so it kind of takes the shape of my crock pot. I find it doesn't defrost that much overnight and its hard to make it fit in the crock pot if it's frozen flat. Just a thought.
Happy Crock Potting! I'll be back with more recipes soon!
