10 Whole Food Freezer Meals to Simplify your Life

So as any mom can attest too…it’s tough getting a healthy meal on the table at times.  We switched to a whole foods diet and have found that while it does require more prep, we are all reaping the benefits of tastier food, more nutrients, more energy, and fewer carb cravings.  “Fake” food, the processed stuff…just doesn’t taste good anymore. Simplify dinnertime with whole food freezer meals!

So what about all the freezer meals you see people make?  Does it work with whole foods?  YES!  So here is a rundown of 10 of my favorite simple recipes.  I recommend a couple things before you get started.  Make a grocery list and collect all the vegetables and spices you need.  Then call a butcher ahead and have him prep the meat for you.  This saves you oodles of time and does not cost any extra.  Even chain grocery stores can do this if you call ahead.  I use a local butcher and get a higher quality meat, prepped, at a low cost.  Some of these meals are just partially prepped and you add in what you need but it still saves a lot of time!  These meals serve four with some leftovers.

Meal 1:  Spaghetti with Italian Sausage

• 4 lbs. Italian sausage (ground up), fried, and drained.  (you can get the wrapped sausages and chop in food processor afterwards) *IMPORTANT…BEFORE YOU ADD TO THE SAUSAGE TO THE SAUCE SPLIT THE MEAT IN HALF TO USE FOR MEAL #4!!!!
• 3 jars Natural Sugar Free Spaghetti Sauce (I use Kirkland Brand from Costco)
• 1 bag Black Bean Spaghetti noodles (you could use spaghetti squash, or spiral cut zucchini too).

While prepping other meals, bake or fry the sausage.  Grind it if not already done, then add to spaghetti sauce.  Simmer on stovetop for 30 minutes to meld flavors.  Then divide into 3 gallon freezer bags once cool.  One will be used for spaghetti and the others will be used for two more meals.  Save dried noodles for when you serve.  I add some frozen veggies as well to round it out.

Meal 2:  Grain-Free Pizza

• Unrefined Kitchen pizza crust click here
• Italian Sausage spaghetti sauce
• Nitrite/Nitrate free pepperoni
• Shredded mozzarella

I prepare the crust as the link describes but for freezer meals I only bake the crust, leave it without toppings, and freeze them as is.  On pizza day, I take out the crust, add my sauce and toppings and bake at 425 F for the last 10-15 minutes.  Voîla…pizza!  This Paleo crust tastes like the real deal!  I make mini pizzas so we each have our own personal pan pizza when all is said and done.

Meal 3: Tomato Soup

• 1 cup celery
• 1 small onion chopped
• 1 carrot grated
• 1/2 green pepper chopped
• 1/4 cup butter (Olive oil works well instead)
• 4 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1 qt tomatoes
• 1/8 tsp. thyme
• 1/4 tsp. marjoram
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 4 tsp. sugar (I used honey)
• 1/4 cup flour (I skipped the flour or used some arrowroot starch..2 TBSP.) 

Saute celery, onion, carrot, and pepper. Add butter and broth. Add tomatoes, thyme, marjoram, salt, pepper, sugar, and flour. Heat to a boil. Puree in blender then return to heat and simmer 20 minutes.I didn’t chop the veggies a ton.  Just big chunks and then pureed in my Vitamix blender.

Meal 4:  Italian Soup

• 1 jar natural spaghetti sauce
• 4 cans diced tomatoes
• 2 cartons of natural chicken stock (I make my own but that would be another post!)
• 2 TBSP Italian seasoning
• 2 lbs. Italian sausage (taken from MEAL 1 BEFORE YOU ADD TO THE SAUCE!)
• 2 cans white beans washed and drained
• 2 zucchini cut in chunks
• 2 yellow summer squash cut in chunks
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 small onion, minced
• Salt to taste

Meal 5:  Herb Crusted Tilapia and Roasted Asparagus

• 6 frozen Tilapia filets
• 2 TBSP dried parsley
• 2-3 TBSP. choice of oil
• 1 tsp. sea salt
• 1 tsp. Garlic
• 2 tsp. lemon juice

Meal 6:  Tacos

• Taco Seasoning (enough for 2 lbs meat)  I use Wildtree Organics
• 2 lbs. ground grass fed beef (I use half beef and half venison)

Meal 7: Pork Tenderloin and Roasted Garlic and Herb Cauliflower

• 2 lbs. pork tenderloin
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. rosemary
• 1/8 tsp. red pepper
• 1/2 tsp. parsley
• 2 tsp. olive oil or oil of choice

• 1 bag frozen cauliflower
• 1 tsp. parsley
• 1/2 tsp. garlic
• 1/2 tsp. sea salt
• 1 tsp. olive oil

Meal 8:  Fajitas

• 2 lbs. chicken breast cut in strips (remember to have your butcher prep this!!!)
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 2 tsp. lime juice
• 2 TBSP. Wildtree Organic Taco Seasoning (or seasoning of choice)

Meal 9:  Seasoned Pork Chops and Roasted Broccoli

• 2 lbs. porkchops
• 2 TBSP. Olive oil
• 2 TBSP. Emeril’s Original Essence (recipe here)  I mix a bunch and save in the pantry.  You can buy it in stores too.

• 1 bag frozen broccoli
• 2 tsp. minced garlic (I use the jar stuff)
• 2 TBSP. Olive oil
• 3 tbsp. black olives sliced (again I used the pre-sliced jar ones)

Meal 10:  Greek Chicken Burgers served with Veggies and dill dip

• 2 lbs. ground chicken or meat of choice (venison has worked well for me too)
• 1/3 cup roasted bell peppers minced
• 2 tsp. minced garlic
• 1/4 cup finely minced red onion
• 3 TBSP. Greek Seasoning (Buy some here) or (Make some here)
• 2 TBSP. Olive oil 

• 1 eight ounce container of sour cream
• 1 TBSP. dried parsley
• 1 TBSP. dried dill
• 1/2 tsp. dried onion powder
• 1 tsp. dried garlic powder
• 1 tsp. salt

What is your favorite whole food freezer meal?

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