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I'm Still Prepping: 24 Meals for $175

Well, long time no post.

I have taken a long break from my blog for various reasons, but, never fear, friends, I still meal prep. I am a creature of habit and I prep 24 meals about every 6 weeks. That's just how the cookie crumbles for our family. It is still my life saver and is still the reason we don't eat chicken nuggets every night.

After a few requests the last few months, I decided to share my latest round of meal prep.

 MENU |
French Onion Chicken
Pot Pie
Tater Tot Casserole
Ranch Chicken
Pulled Pork
Simple Spaghetti and Meatballs
Chicken Fajitas
Teriyaki Salmon
Chicken Cobb Salad
Loaded Potato Casserole
Shephard's Pie
Sweet 'n Sour Meatballs

I make 2 of each.

 GROCERY LIST |

 Meat:
5 3 lb. bags of chicken breasts
8 lbs. ground beef/turkey (I went halfsies)
2 pork shoulders
4 bags of pre-made meatballs
2 bags of frozen salmon filets
2 packages of bacon

 Canned goods:
2 cans French Onion Soup
2 cans Cream of Chicken
2 cans cream of mushrooms
4 jars of your favorite marinara sauce
2 bottles of BBQ sauce (I prefer Baby Ray's)
1 bottle of Mr. Yoshidas
2 cans of corn
2 cans of green beans
1 carton of chicken broth
1 bottle Herb and Garlic Marinade
1 bottle grape jelly

 Produce:
4 Orange Bell Peppers
4 Yellow Bell Peppers
2 Green Bell Peppers
3 lbs. red potatoes (this is my preference you can use whichever potatoes you like)
1 sweet onion

 Dried Goods:
2 lbs. Brown Rice
5 packages of instant mashed potatoes
1 box corn flakes
2 packages of spaghetti noodles
2 packages of bacon pieces (like bacon bits but better)

 Frozen:
1 bag broccoli florets
1 bag peas and carrots
2 bags tater tots

 Refrigerator:
2 packages of pre-made pie crusts
1 bag of shredded cheddar
8 oz. of heavy cream

 Seasoning:
2 packets of ranch seasoning
2 packets of pulled pork seasoning
Liquid Smoke
2 packets of fajita seasoning

 Bakery:
2 Garlic Bread Loaves
2 packages of small tortillas (corn or flour)
2 packages of pretzel rolls

 Other:
Gallon Hefty Storage Bags
6 disposable casserole trays

I shopped at Winco and spent about $175 on the ingredients listed above. When I get home, I label all bags and prepare trays. I also started cooking the ground beef/turkey. Then I just go through the list, bag by bag, and get everything prepped.

 Recipes |

 French Onion Chicken

1.5 lbs Chicken breast
1 can French Onion soup
Season with a bit of garlic powder and salt and pepper
1 cubed orange bell pepper
1 cubed red bell pepper

Make 2.

8 hrs on low. Serve with a packet of instant mashed potatoes or brown rice. I bought both because I wasn't sure which we'd prefer. So far I choose mashed potatoes and Darren picks rice.

 Pot Pie

1.5 lbs chicken breast
1 can cream of chicken
1/2 bag broccoli florets
1/2 bags peas and carrots
2 cubed red potatoes
1/2 carton of chicken broth
Season with garlic powder, s&p, basil


Make 2.

8 hrs on low. Then shred chicken, place 1 pie crust on the bottom of pan, add filling, place 2nd pie crust on top, make the pretty slits and crinkle the edges. Brush with an egg wash and bake at 375 for 30 minutes.

 Tater Tot Casserole

2 lbs ground beef/turkey, cooked
Mix with cream of mushroom and place at bottom of tray
Add tater tots
Top with shredded cheese

Bake for 45 minutes to an hour at 375.

 Ranch Chicken

1/2 bag of corn flakes
1 packet ranch seasoning
1.5 lbs. chicken breast

In one bag crunch up corn flakes and ranch seasoning (store in pantry). In second bag freeze 1.5 lbs chicken breasts. To prepare for consumption, thaw chicken, dip in flour, then dip in egg wash, then coat with the corn flake/ranch mixture. Bake at 375 for 30 minutes.

 Pulled Pork

1 pork shoulder
1 packet pulled pork seasoning
2 tablespoons of liquid smoke

Make 2.

8 hrs on low. Shred and serve on pretzel rolls.

 Simple Spaghetti and Meatballs

2 jars marinar
1 bag meatballs

Make 2.

6-8 hrs on low.  Serve with spaghetti noodles and garlic bread.

 Chicken Fajitas

1.5 lbs chicken breast
1 sliced orange bell pepper
1 sliced red bell pepper
1/2 sliced sweet onion
1 packet fajita seasoning

7 hrs on low. Or prepare in a skillet. Serve with tortillas and toppings.

 Teriyaki Salmon

1 bag salmon filets
1/3 cup Mr. Yoshida's

Thaw and bake at 400 for 15 minutes.

 Chicken Cobb Salad

 1/2 bottle of Herb and Garlic Marinade
1 package bacon

Thaw and grill chicken. Thaw and cook bacon. Serve with lettuce, hard boiled eggs, and other cobb salad toppings.

 Loaded Potato Casserole

 5 red potatoes, cubed
1 package bacon pieces
1.5 lbs chicken breast, cubed
4 oz. heavy cream
Season with smoked paprika, S&P, garlic powder

Mix in tray. Top with cheese. Bake at 375 for 45 minutes.

 Shephard's Pie

2 lbs. of cooked ground beef/turkey
1/2 BBQ sauce, mix at bottom of tray
Add 1 can of corn and 1 can of green beans
Layer 2 prepared packages of mashed potatoes on top
Top with shredded cheese

Make 2

Bake at 375 for 45 minutes to an hour.

 Sweet 'N Sour Meatballs

 1 bag meatballs
1/2 bottle grape jelly
1/2 bottle BBQ sauce

6-8 hrs on low.

And that's it. 24 meals for $175.

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