The Ultimate Guide to a Month of Meals

Hi.  I'm Ashley. I am a recovering user of boxed, powdery, microwavable, instant meals.  

Ok, I'm only partly kidding there.  In all seriousness though, I have come a good long way from my days of Hamburger Helper and instant potatoes (that somehow become mashed potatoes from a mystery white powder).  

I know Mom.  It WAS bad.  I admit it.

Was it because I didn't know how to cook?  At the time, I wasn't sure if I knew how to or not.  But, I finally came to realize later on….WAY later on...that it wasn't that I didn't know how to cook, it was that I had no time to cook.  A teacher, married to a coach, welcoming their first child.  Friends, life was packed!  And you know what?  It still is.  But THERE IS A WAY and I think I've found it.

The answer?

Freezer meals and crock pot meals, my friends.

Easy stuff, y'all.  Let me help.

First you need this:  A crock pot.  And not just any crock pot, but one with a timer.  The timer is what revolutionized this whole 'preparing ahead of time' thing for me.  Guys, we are gone for a total of 9 to 10 hours during the day.  I would not be able to do this if it weren't for the crock pot that I can set from high to low to warm.  This one is at a great price and works wonderfully for all that it needs to do.

Second, make sure you stock up on your 'supplies'.  Ziplock gallon bags, a sharpie, all your cutting utensils, measuring cups, aluminum throw away casserole pans, etc.  

Third and lastly…the recipes!  These recipes are NOT from Ashley's Kitchen.  I'm not that creative.  I did not come up with these recipes, but I sure can scout them out and give credit where credit is due.  These are from the geniuses around the blog world, and I've searched high and low for the ones that fit the best with our lifestyle (and that are good to eat too!).  

So, let's get started, shall we?
Here is a master list of recipes with their source that my family enjoys. 

1.  Sweet and Tangy Meatballs from Six Sisters' Stuff.  

Have you heard of these ladies?  I absolutely love their recipes! 

2. Cool Ranch Chicken Tacos from New Leaf Wellness.  

The directions start out with it being a crock pot meal, but then goes on to give directions on it becoming a freezer meal.

3.  Balsamic Roast Beef from Primally Inspired.  

I have done this both freezer as well as thrown into the crockpot in the a.m.  

4. Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken from Emily Bites 

Again, if you want it to be a freezer meal, throw all ingredients in a ziplock! Or crock pot in the a.m.

5. Dr. Pepper Slow Cooker Pulled Pork from Spend With Pennies

I do this one straight crock pot without freezing, but again.  Anything is freezable! 

6. Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings by Passionate Penny Pinchers

Easiest dumplings ever.  After about 6 hours on low, add biscuits for another 30 minutes. POOF. Done. 

7. Ravioli Lasagna by Neat Nest Organizing

This is a straight up freezer meal that you put in the oven when ready.  This is so easy and so kid friendly! 

8. Tuscan Pasta from Six Sisters' Stuff (shocker!)

This one you will need to make beforehand, then throw in the freezer, but it's worth it! 

9.  Beef Enchiladas by One Hundred Dollars a Month 

Minimal ingredients and SUPER easy freezer meal. 

10. Chicken Parmesan Casserole by Thriving Home Blog

Freeze before baking.  Yes please.  

11. The Best Healthy Turkey Chili by Ambitious Kitchen 

Cook turkey, then throw everything into the crock pot!  OR in a ziplock for a freezer meal. 

12. 5 Ingredient Slow Cooker Fajitas by Fit Slow Cooker Queen

Crock Pot OR Freezer! 

13. Chicken Enchilada Soup by The Magical Slow Cooker 

Put ingredients together, put in freezer, and when ready: crock pot, of course!

14. Freezer Meal Chicken Enchiladas by Live Craft Eat
I love that this one requires minimal ingredients, but still wonderful!

15. Slow Cooker Potato Soup  by Once A Month Meals
Easy! And has bacon. Need I say more?

16. Honey Soy Pork Tenderloin by Add a Pinch
Straight up slow cooker recipe!  Easy - especially easy to throw in at last minute!

17. Chicken Tater Tot Casserole by Plain Chicken
Make ahead and FREEZE!  Easy.  Minimal ingredients!

18. Bourbon Chicken by Bargain Briana
No cooking ahead of time, basically just throwing the ingredients in a freezer bag and label.  You're good to go!

19. Sloppy Joes by One Hundred Dollars a Month
Freezer Meal…Saute onion and meat, then throw the rest of the ingredients in a freezer bag.  When ready, heat in a skillet! That's easy enough for me!

20. Lemon Pesto Chicken by Frugal Living Mom
Freezer meal! Just put all together and then put in oven when ready.  This calls for 'homemade pesto'. I do NOT use homemade pesto, I repeat.  I do NOT do the homemade pesto thing.  I buy it. :)

21. Chicken Alfredo Lasagna Roll Ups by Ally's Sweet and Savory Eats
This one has a tad of prep, but if you are making all these in one day, you're prepping anyway…so…
Great to throw in the freezer and take out when ready and bake!  Love it.

22. Slow Cooker Chicken Philly Cheesesteak by Six Sisters' Stuff (surprised?  Gosh I love them!)
This is SO easy and SO good!

23. Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken by The Frugal Girls
Easy, easy, easy!  Something I love to throw in the crock pot before leaving for work!  You can throw this in a freezer bag, thaw, then dump in a crock pot.

24. Crockpot Orange Chicken by The Frugal Girls
Another easy one with minimal ingredients.  I was surprised at how good this was!  I actually put this in a freezer bag and took out when I was ready, then put in the crockpot.

25.  Crock Pot Spaghetti Squash with Meatballs by I Wash You Dry
Oh my word.  The easiest.  I usually do this on a Sunday or Saturday because this doesn't have to be in the crock pot for THAT long (compared to the ones I can leave in for 6-8 hours then switched to warm).   Easy and KID friendly!

26.  Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Shells by Kristine's Kitchen Blog
Make Ahead Freezer Meal! Love this one; easy to put together and easy to put in the freezer!

27.  Slow Cooker Kung Pao Chicken by Six Sisters' Stuff (again)
Yum!  Put all ingredients in a freezer bag, then toss in crock pot after thawing for 24 hours.

28.  Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana with Sweet Potatoes by New Leaf Wellness
Crock pot OR freezer meal! Provides directions on how to make it a freezer.

29.  BBQ Ribs Recipe by Taste of Home
Taste of Home is near and dear to my heart.  My grandmother gave me a subscription for me before she passed, and it has always reminded me of her!  This is the easiest crock pot OR freezer meal ever.   And SO yummy.

30.  Crockpot Italian Pork Roast another one by New Leaf Wellness
Easy…crockpot or freezer meal!

And there you have it!  Thirty crock pot or freezer meals.  And really, all of these can be freezer meals.  I usually decide what I want to make a freezer meal based on the amount of meals + the time I have + the ingredients that might go bad.

Now for the shopping.  Because I love you, I have provided you a MASTER GROCERY SHOPPING LIST of these 30 meals.  I'm thinking a visit to Costco would be a wise thing to do as you load up!  See how long these meals last you.  It's such a gift when the month is gone and I STILL have freezer meals/crockpot meals left.

MASTER GROCERY LIST FOR 30 CROCK POT AND FREEZER MEALS

If the master list scares you (it might…), I would suggest taking about 6-8 of these recipes and then trying that out first.  See how you like it and how long they last in your household.

It was a pleasure providing this list for you! I hope it helps you during the dinner hours, and more importantly, awards you more time with what is most important: YOUR FAMILY.

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Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

Let's talk CHICKEN, shall we?

I'm constantly looking for good chicken recipes.  It took me probably a solid 7 years of our marriage to learn how to STOP cooking chicken to a rock form.  You know, the type of chicken you have to get a chain saw out to cut it.  I was terrified of UNDER cooking my chicken and making my whole family sick.  As a matter of fact, one Christmas, my mom wrapped a simple meat thermometer, watched me open it, looked me square in the eye and said, "PLEASE use this".  

That same Christmas my mom also gave all of her little chitlens a priceless recipe book.   One that she made with all of our favorite recipes from growing up and into adulthood.  She was a sly one in making this book! We all love it and when I don't know what to cook, I usually go to this book. 

  

So, in honor of our upcoming trip to the good ol' South to spend time with the fam, and for the fact that I no longer cook chicken until it is all but a brick, I want to share this very yummy, kid approved, adult approved, chicken recipe. 

ENTER: Captain Crunch Chicken Fingers.  

This is one of my most favorite recipes my mom made while growing up.  When my mom made it, I had no trouble coming down to the dinner table.  And don't we ALL know, in this day and age, coming together for dinner isn't always easy, but it's needed more than ever! 

To start, you actually need TWO cereals for this recipe; Captain Crunch and Corn Flakes.  

Put 2 cups of Captain Crunch and 1 and a half cup of corn flakes in a gallon size Ziplock bag.  Beat the crazy out of the two cereals.  I used a rolling pin; this is an incredible way to get out some aggression! 

Beat 1 egg and 1 cup of milk in a bowl and set aside.  

Mix together the following: 1 cup of flour, 1 tsp of garlic powder, 1 tsp of onion powder, and 1/2 tsp of black pepper.  

Take raw chicken tenders (I bought a couple of packages) and dredge each chicken tender in the flour shaking off excess, dip in the egg mixture next, and drop in the cereal bag.  

When the bag is full, get a good arm workout in and SHAKE.  

**I put about 3 chicken fingers in the bag each time I shook, I wanted to make sure the tenders get good and covered with the cereal.  Putting too much chicken in the bag won't cover them as well.**

In a large skillet, pour a layer of oil (I used vegetable oil) and bring to a simmer.  Drop coated chicken into the hot oil and fry until done and no longer pink in the middle.  About 3-5 minutes depending on the size of the chicken pieces.  

What's funny here, is that my mom, in the recipe book specifically said, "MAKE SURE THEY'RE DONE."  I wonder where my small fear of undercooked chicken came from? Any guesses?  Love you, mom. 

Serve with Creole Mustard as the dipping sauce.  When using the mustard as a dipping sauce, it is  the perfect combo of a little sweet from the chicken with a little spicy from the creole.  

These can also be baked in the oven at 375 degrees instead of frying.  Place on a greased baking sheet, turning once. Cook until done. 

What I love about this recipe is that you can put various sides with it. Mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, asparagus, and more.  It goes with about everything.  

And there you go.  A dinner fit for all!  Here's a recipe card for you, too.  Pin it to save it! 

Enjoy! 

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Kentucky Cornbread

THIS CORNBREAD, y'all.

I'm sitting here, the day after Thanksgiving, looking outside to this gloomy weather, and knowing that this is definitely CHILI weather (with it being the day after Turkey day, maybe I should be thinking of a light salad and fruit, but....nah).  And let me ask, what better side to go with chili than cornbread?

I promise, this cornbread recipe will satisfy any and all of your cornbread needs!  And to add, this was the one recipe I wrote about back in October that was passed down from my beautiful grandmother years ago.  Today, I am putting it out there to all you beautiful people!

Not only is this recipe wonderful, but it is super simple.  Look at this thing; weathered and battered and almost unreadable! I've read it so many times though that I am really close to having it memorized.  Only a few more times and I think I'll have it down.

Any recipe that says "mix all the ingredients together" as the first line is a BIG winner to me.  That means that most likely, it will be easy for me to do and to pull off.  Score #1! 

First I preheated my oven to 450.  Let that preheat, then mix together 1 and 1/2 cups of self rising cornmeal, 1/2 cup of Wesson oil, 3 eggs, 1 cup of sour cream, 1 small can cream style corn, and 3 or 4 green onions chopped fine (I love green onions, so I used the entire 4).  

I used a casserole pan that I use for hot dips and other such things, sprayed it with cooking spray, and poured half the mixture right on in.  After that, sprinkle about 1/4 cup of shredded cheese over the top, pour the rest of the mixture on top of that, then sprinkle another 1/4 cup of shredded cheese on the top.  

Boom.  Done.  Just like that!  Score #2! Put it in the oven, wait 30 minutes, and you've got delicious cornbread waiting to be put with the perfect main dish.  OR, you can eat it by itself!   I do a little bit of both, and every time it is awesome. 

AND...instead of making you try to read the recipe card above (even though I love the old look of the card!), below is a little bit of a more cleaner version.  Score #3!! 

Friends, go and make this! You WILL NOT regret it. :) 

Much love, 

Ashley 

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A Little Cornbread with your Chili

It's football season! Which means all sorts of things wonderfully fall, including chili and cornbread!  Who can argue with those combinations?  In preparation for this fall season, I have begun prepping my chili making by making my first batch today.  And to add, it just wouldn't be complete without Grandmother's Kentucky cornbread!

You might be thinking...this is a football/fall food loaded post; and don't worry, those are coming.

But not this one! As much as I'd love to spend time on fall, this post isn't that.  It's about southern hospitality and the beautiful nature of my grandmother.  Grandmother has gone on to Heaven, and Grandaddy Scott passed soon after; however, she still remains so strong in me and my sisters' and brother's lives.

I remember when Grandmother gave me that Kentucky cornbread recipe.  It was soon after my wedding and I was asking about her cooking and the skillets she used and she LOVED my interest.  She told me some tips and recognized that I would love to be able to actually use real utensils and cook, because Lord knows, I had a LOT to learn (and still do, but I'm getting there).  I'll never forget it, she literally TORE out this recipe and handed it straight to me and told me to keep it.

I had it stuck down in my purse for the longest time, and eventually stuck it in my recipe book and I even kept it safe through a couple of moves.   She passed away before I had a chance to try it out.

But, one of the first fall, 60-ish degree nights, I decided to make some chili.  My Coach told me how perfect cornbread was with chili and I thought, "my goodness! I have that cornbread recipe from Grandmother!" I ran to the grocery store and grabbed the ingredients and whipped it up at home;  I have to be honest, I was so afraid I would do something wrong.  I probably read the direction 5 or 6 times before AND as I was making it.

It turned out AWESOME.  I'm talking; awesome!  We ate it all with no crumbs to spare. And I so wish I could've told Grandmother how awesome it was. How thankful I was that she had handed it down to me.  How sweet it was for her to just tear it right out of the recipe book trusting that I would one day use it.

Those good ol' southern recipes are more than just southern and more than just recipes.  They are tradition.  They are wisdoms passed on from one generation to the next.  I love the digital age; there really is such good in technology or I wouldn't be blogging!  BUT, there is nothing like seeing one of your family member's handwriting on their personally owned recipe books; especially after it has been passed on.  It inspires me to keep going with my journals (if you don't know me, I have at least one journal in my purse, a couple at my school, and several at home) in hopes that maybe they will be of some value to my children and their children.  It is history staring right at you in the face.

My mom is an artist like her father was; I have two paintings of hers.  One of a Texas landscape and one of my daughter on the beach.  How special will it be to pass it on to my children? And to their children?

So, this southern post is one of encouragement.  Keep on with our technology!  However, keep on with the writings, the church notes, the recipes, the actual paper.  I'm positive your family will be so thankful that you did.

I love you, Grandmother.  Thank you for trusting me with part of your culture and life.  I will treasure that recipe for all time.

Love,
Your Third Granddaughter, Ashley

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Did Someone Say Cream Cheese?

I could eat cream cheese from a spoon.

Don't laugh. I truly could.

I love all cheeses, really, but cream cheese just tops them all.  And oh, how cream cheese tastes so awesome in desserts....and breakfasts...and dinners....and alone...on a spoon.

In looking through all the bagillion of 4th of July recipes across the good ol' 'net, I knew I shant look any further when I stumbled across a recipe with cream cheese involved.  The only drawback...it has fruit.  But, I'll take one for the team since the fruit is 'festive' and matches our beautiful American flag.

Before I begin, I need to tell you three things.

ONE: This is easy.
TWO: It also requires to be chilled overnight.  Just a little FYI for ya' there.  There is nothing I hate more than when I get halfway into a recipe and all of a sudden it reads, "and chill for the next 24 hours before serving", which is also like saying, "if you don't chill for 24 hours, it will be a miserable fail and all your guests will be wondering why you step foot in the kitchen to bake".
THREE:  I use graham cracker crumbs; no crushing of real deal graham crackers for me.  I like to make it quick. :)

This beautiful red, white, and blue cream cheese heaven is from a new blog I have found called,
Mr. and Mrs. Pear (cute, huh?)!  Click HERE to go to their link and see all about them.  Cute couple!

Mr. and Mrs. Pear call this dessert, "BERRIED TREASURE".  So clever, Mrs. Pear!  The fruit is wonderfully buried underneath the cool whip and vanilla pudding.  And don't worry, the cream cheese is there.  Perfectly placed on top of the delicious buttery graham cracker crust.  My Your mouth is watering, right?

This is how mine is turning out through the process...

I'm happy!  It is chilling as we speak right now so I can whip it out tomorrow, throw the cool whip on top, as if I am the queen of the baking world (I'm really not...don't get too excited).

Want to see the recipe?  Click on Mr. and Mrs. Pear's link HERE to get it.

Go grab it and enjoy your BERRIED TREASURE!  Blessings to you and your family on this 4th of July!!!

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Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches

That's right.  The title has the word homemade in it.  Therefore, you will be sorely missing out if you do not read.  So, go ahead, and read up!

As much as I wish I could take the credit for coming up with this delicious southern delectable, I cannot take credit for it. Ladies and gents...may I introduce you to My Mom.

It always amazes my sisters, brother, and I how My Mom can whip up all the 3 square meals full along with desserts seamlessly and effortlessly.  It's so humbling; especially when I try to make french toast and she stands by anxiously watching and gently takes the spatula away from me just to 'show me how it's done'.  And why is it, I ask, that by simply taking the spatula away and flipping it herself makes it so much better? It's like there's cooking magic in her fingertips.  And...I'm okay with that.  Aren't 'mom's' things always supposed to taste better, anyway?

So, picture this:

Brownies.
Cookies.
Ice Cream.
Summer Day.

My kids LOVED these.  As a matter of fact, my boy said this is the best dessert she has ever made; then went on to say, "actually, this is the best dessert I have ever HAD!"

Want the recipe?  Of course you do.

A few notes before embarking on this delicious summer dessert!
#1 - This is a GREAT recipe to make with the kiddos!  So easy and fun for them to help make!
#2 -  Whatever you do, do not leave the brownies in the oven for too long or too little.  They will either be too gooey or too hard.  You want the right consistency so you can bite into these little babies and it be ice cream sandwich worthy!

From My Mom's kitchen, to yours... ENJOY!

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Summer + Neighbors = S'mores Pie

Who likes s'mores??

If you don't, as my mom would say, 'that's just UN-American'.  Amen, momma.  Amen.  (insert hand raise)

So, what is better than getting neighbors together during the summer and enjoying this age-old dessert?  I can think of nothing else.

When our neighborhood function was planned I thought and thought about what 'side dish' I would bring.  Do I bring fruit?  A casserole?  Nope..I went safe and decided dessert!  Everyone loves a dessert option.  I searched around and Pinterest did not fail me; I found this awesome and EASY s'mores pie recipe. The best of both worlds...s'mores without the mess.

Guys, help me welcome...the s'mores pie from Gimme Some Oven.... We all say WELCOME and THANK YOU, darling s'mores.

I don't know how I can spell this out for you, but this is amazingly E-A-S-Y.  And if I'm totally honest, I usually screw up baking.  So, the fact that mine turned out awesome, is something to be said.  I may have left the marshmallows a second or two too long in the broiling part, but it did NOT make a difference in taste, folks.  

Here's how mine turned out, see how the mallows are just a tad browner than above?  Made it more 'campfire' like, really.   

So, in conclusion, the s'mores pie was a hit and is summertime desserts at its best.  Check out the link above and try it yourself!  You will be surprised at how easy it is to whip this dessert up!  

S'more it up, y'all!  

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