Dressed Up Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes are about the only meal I can ensure my whole family will eat without complaint, so when I’m in a mood and don’t want to hear any whining and I don’t feel like busting out the duct tape to keep my kids at the table, I bust these bad boys out. Made them last night, as a matter of fact…and when my eyes fell upon the blessed words “freezer instructions” I was the happiest mom alive!

Recipe and Picture via: Our Best Bites

Ingredients
1 lb. lean ground beef
Seasoning salt to taste
1 medium onion, minced
1/2 green pepper, minced
3-4 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
3/4 c. ketchup
1 tsp. mustard
3 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp. red wine vinegar
3/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
3 Tbsp. tomato paste
1/3-1/2 c. water to reach desired consistency
Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Freezer Instructions
Brown ground beef with onion, green pepper, and garlic. Season to taste with seasoning salt. Transfer to a freezer-safe container. Add in remaining ingredients and combine well. Freeze. When ready to cook, transfer to a slow cooker and cook on low to 3-5 hours. Serve on hamburger buns.

Creamy Chicken Taquitos

Via: Our Best Bites

1/3 C (3 oz) cream cheese
1/4 C green salsa
1T fresh lime juice
1/2 t cumin
1 t chili powder
1/2 t onion powder
1/4 t granulated garlic, or garlic powder
3 T chopped cilantro
2 T sliced green onions
2 C shredded cooked chicken
1 C grated pepperjack cheese
10-12 small corn tortillas

Heat cream cheese in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds so it’s soft and easy to stir. Add green salsa, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, onion powder and granulated garlic. Stir to combine and then add cilantro and green onions. Add chicken and cheese and combine well.

Place 2-3 T of chicken mixture on the lower third of a tortilla, keeping it about 1/2 inch from the edges. Then roll it up as tight as you can.

Place seam side down on the baking sheet and freeze 2hrs, or until they hold their shape, then throw in a freezer bag!

Cooking Instructions:
Bake at 350 for 20 minutes, or until tortilla is browned.

The Verdict

Slow Cooked Beef Fajitas

Via: Ring Around the Rosies

In the bag (Split between 2)
2 lb beef round steak cut into strips (across the grain)
2 8 oz cans diced tomatoes w/ chiles
1 large onion or 2 small
1 green pepper, cut into strips
1 red pepper, cut into strips
2 tsp cilantro
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp chili powder
2 tsp cumin
salt and pepper to taste
1 jalapeno chopped (optional, obviously not a good toddler choice)

Instructions for Container: Cook on low 8 hours or high 4, Scoop with slotted spoon onto corn (or flour) tortillas. Garnish with sour cream, avocado, shredded cheese, pico de galo, etc.

The Verdict

Cilantro Lime Chicken w/Black Beans and Corn

Via: Ring Around the Rosies

In the Bag(Split between 2)
4-6 chicken breasts
3 Tbs olive oil
2 limes, juiced
2 cups cilantro
1 large bag of frozen corn (or two smaller bags)
4 minced garlic cloves
1 finely chopped red onion
2 cans of black beans, rinsed
2 tsp cumin or chipotle powder
salt/pepper to taste

Instructions for Bag
Cook on low 8 hours or high 4 hours, serve with hot tortillas or tortilla chips. Dress with sour cream, guacamole, and/or cheese

Read The Verdict