Freezer meal: Poor man's lasagna

I wanted to keep one of the casseroles I made of this. It just sounded so amazingly delicious! Just throw everything for lasagna into a casserole--genius!

Pour man's lasagna-adapted from Fabulessly Frugal

Total time: 45 minutes

Makes two 8x8 pans

• 8 ounces dried pasta of your choice (I used medium shells)
• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 16 ounces ricotta cheese
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 24 ounce jar pasta sauce
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella

Cook the pasta according to package directions in a large pot. Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, brown the Italian sausage then drain off the fat. Drain the pasta then return to the pot while still hot. Mix in the ricotta and cream cheese, and stir until combined and the cream cheese is melted. Mix in the Italian sausage and pasta sauce. Pour the pasta mixture into two 8x8 inch baking dishes. Top with mozzarella cheese. Cover and store in freezer bags. 

To make after freezing: Thaw in the refrigerator. Uncover and cook at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.

Freezer meal: Sausage and cheese egg muffins

Recipe number two made for my friends! They've already tried these and love them. I've made a few egg muffins before (here and here). Being able to make something for breakfast that is easy to freeze and reheat. They also taste delicious, even though I know some people think that reheated eggs aren't great.

Sausage and cheese egg muffins-adapted from Fabulessly Frugal
Total time: 15 minutes
Makes 12 muffins

• 10 eggs
• 1/3 cup low fat milk
• 4 ounces precooked breakfast sausage, diced
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk eggs and milk together, then gradually add in sausage and cheese. Pour into well greased muffin tins to about 3/4 full. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until tops are set. Let cool slightly and remove gently with a spoon.

If you wish to freeze: Place the muffins in a gallon freezer bag. To reheat, cook in the microwave for 1 1/2 minutes.

Freezer meal: Garlic ranch chicken

Some very close friends of our welcomed a lovely baby girl into the world on Valentine's Day! I knew that I wanted to do something special for them, so I made a bunch of freezer meals. I'll share all the meals over the next few posts, but I haven't tried them, so you'll just get the before pictures!

Garlic ranch chicken-adapted from Fabulessly Frugal
Total time: Unknown :)
Serves 4

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 package dry ranch dressing
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons dried minced garlic

Combine all ingredients in a gallon freezer bag.

When ready to cook, thaw in the refrigerator. Fabulessly Frugal recommends grilling the chicken, but I'm sure you could bake or cook on the stove top as well.