Freezer meals #3

Hubby had me follow him over to the car repair shop on Wednesday, then meet him at 12:30 to retrieve his car.  Well, that threw a crimp into my yardwork plans.  Can't get all dirty and sweaty then meet him to eat lunch and pick up the car...  So, I spent some time assembling freezer meals - something that will pay off on Fridays.  Most of these are crock pot meals, so I can come home to a good smelling house with dinner just a little ways off...

 Here's what I made this go round:  Tacos al Pastor, Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork, Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken, Orange Chicken, Beef Chimichangas filling, Easy Stuffed Italian Shells, and Salsa Sloppy Joes (not pictured).  I spent $43 on these seven meals pictured so I estimate each one to cost $6 and feed 5 people.  And my goal is not to have a lot of leftovers hanging around.  Here are my recipes.  *Note* - I add everything to the crock pot frozen because mine cooks so darn fast!

Slow Cookers BBQ Pulled Pork
Cut up 1 1/2 pounds boneless pork roast, well trimmed, and add to large zip loc.  Mix I package McCormick seasoning for crock pot pulled pork, 1/2 c. brown sugar, 1/2 c. ketchup, and 1/3 c. cider vinegar.  Pour over roast and seal bag.  Freeze.  To cook: 6 hours on low or 4 on high, shred and serve on buns.

Tacos al Pastor
Cut up 1 pound pork tenderloin into 1 inch chunks.  Add to a large zip loc bag with one 8oz. can drained pineapple chunks, 1/2 c. chopped fresh cilantro, 1 medium chopped onion, 1 T. chili powder, 1 t. cumin, 1 t. oregano, 1 t. black pepper, 1 t. chopped garlic, 3/4 t. salt.  Freeze.  Day of cooking, thaw.  Cook mixture in hot oil in a large non-stick skillet over med-high heat, stirring often, 10 minutes or until pork is cooked.  Serve with warm tortillas.

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken
Place these things in a large ziploc to freeze:  3 pounds chicken breasts, 1 c. Franks Buffalo Sauce, 1 package Ranch dip mix, 2 T. butter.  Cook on low 6 hours and serve over rice.

Orange Chicken
Place these things in a large ziploc to freeze:  3 pounds chicken breasts, 1 c. OJ, 1 envelope onion soup mix, 1 T. soy sauce, 1/2 t. garlic powder.  Cook in crock on low 6 hours, or thaw and bake in a 350 degree oven for about an hour.  I'll probably serve this with chinese noodles.

Beef Chimichangas
Brown 2 pounds of ground beef; rinse and drain well.  Add: 1 t. salt, 2 crushed cloves garlic, 2 t. cumin, 2 t. oregano, 1 small can chopped green chilies, 1/2 c. taco sauce, 1/2 c. sour cream, 1/4 c. cider vinegar.  Freeze.  To cook, thaw.  Pre-heat oven to 500.  Yes - 500 degrees.  Dip 9 large tortillas in melted butter and place a scoop of beef mixture in each.  Fold up and place seam side down in dish.  Bake 15 minutes.  Serve with cheese, lettuce, tomato, avocado, sour cream - whatever you like.

Easy Baked Italian Shells
Cook 1/2 a box of large, fillable shell pasta.  Drain and rinse.  Mix: 1 egg, 1 container small curd cottage cheese, 1 1/2 c. shredded mozzarella, 1/2 tub Kraft Italian flavor cooking cream (this stuff is so dang good).  Pour 3/4 c. of your favorite spagetti sauce into the bottom of a 13x9 pan.  Fill the shells with the cheese mixture and nestle them in the dish.  Pour over the rest of the sauce and cover the dish with foil.  Freeze.  To bake, thaw first, then bake, covered, in 350 oven for about 40 minutes.

Salsa Sloppy Joes
Cook and crumble 1 1/2 pounds ground beef or turkey and drain.  Add one 8 oz. can tomato sauce, 1 c. salsa, 1 T. brown sugar.  Simmer 15 minutes and cool.  Freeze.  To serve, thaw, then heat and serve on buns with grated cheese and/or sour cream.

I also have a bag of seared carnitas meat in here which I am going to freeze to make stew or season a big pot of beans. And now, the next few Fridays will be so much easier!