Day 1: Freezer Meals

Chili and Shepherd's Pie

Chili 

total time ~30 minutes

total cost = $4.28 

($6.73 if I had to buy all the items)

My chili recipe I already have posted on here even though I never follow a recipe.  This time I tossed in the below ingredients.  I sprinkle cumin and chili powder across the top in a light layer and stir in.  A few hours later if it is not as "chili" tasting I add more cumin and chili powder.  Do not be fooled.  It is the cumin that give chili the taste you are used too and not the chili powder.

3 cans kidney beans - 15.5oz (WIC from many months ago)
cumin (had on hand)
chili powder  ($1.79 for the entire container at Publix.  used prob $.01 worth)
1lb ground beef ($11.59 for 5.06lbs = $2.29 from Aldi)
2 cans crushed tomatoes - 28oz ($.99/each at Aldi)
2 cans sweet corn - 15.25oz (WIC from many months ago)

This made 3 freezer bags full ranging from 3.5 cups to 5 cups each.  Being made in the slow cooker I was able to make other freezer meals while this was cooking so I did not spend a lot of time on this meal.  I would say total time for prep, mixing, and bagging was less than 30 minutes.

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Shepherd's Pie

total time ~1 hour

total cost = $3.21 for the entire 8*8 pie

1 lb ground beef ($2.29 total, from Aldi)
1 can corn ($.49 from Aldi)
4 tbs butter ($1.89 for 45oz at Aldi so less than $.05 used in this recipe)
4 Russet Potatoes ($1.89 for 10lbs at Aldi)

Peel, cut up, and boil potatoes.  Brown the meat in a pan.  Drain potatoes once they are fork tender.

Add butter, milk, salt, and pepper to potatoes.  Beat them until smooth.  (I used my Kitchenaid mixer for this part and it made them super smooth.  Do not over cook them.  I got caught up in the chili and they got a little too soft.)

Line an 8*8 pan with foil to be able to freeze and still have the pan to use again. Place the meat on the bottom, then the corn, and then top with the potatoes.   Once frozen you can remove the pie from the pan and just leave it in the freezer.

To cook it:
Thaw in the fridge and then bake at 350 degrees F for 20-30 minutes until the top is brown.


***side note***
I have never had Shepherd's pie but from what I was told it was just beef, corn, and potatoes.  I am going to make a few more to freeze but will add carrots and peas to beef it up a little.

Here is what it looks like before I completely spread the potatoes over the meat and corn.