10 EASY FREEZER MEALS | QUICK & EASY DINNERS FOR A FAMILY

[@hannahgleason9885]

This channel has basically ruined me for the rest of youtube. Watching someone so chill, authentic and unselfconscious is so good for my soul. Love this channel.

[@randijohnson3806]

Several years ago I set up a freezer meal swap. Originally there were 8 people. Each person made 8 freezer meals, then we got together and everyone swapped meals- then you ended up with 8 different freezer meals!

[@FrugalFitMom]

That's a great idea!

[@AngelaMastrodonato]

This may seem like a weird question, but did you pre-freeze the meals before you swapped them or did you keep them in the refrigerator and the recipient froze them later?

[@randijohnson3806]

Angela Mastrodonato Pre froze.

[@AngelaMastrodonato]

Randi Johnson thanks!

[@Edgedamage01]

My sisters a I started a cookie swap for Xmas! Same idea but we did two different cookies and or loaf or square...... 10 of each. I want to do a soup swap this February!🇨🇦

[@brendaflanagan6004]

I enjoy watching your videos so good, that I automatically do thumbs up b4 I even watch it. Great personality.

[@sunshinemee4226]

The use of pitchers for the bags is genius!!

[@singsongvideolover]

Christine: ...consider hitting the thumbs up button... Me Girl? I mash that thing BEFORE I watch! You're just that good! Have an awesome weekend!❤

[@HomesteadHopeful]

I love your sense of humor. I’m super happy to find your channel. Thanks for sharing!

[@rosaking8488]

Christine, my mom used to tell me there’s no such thing as messy house... it’s a house that’s lived in and full of love! ❤️

[@Lala-4597]

Amen!!

[@lisacrosby9487]

I have OCD where having a clean house is super important to me. ( My dear mom was a hoarder, so I know what can happen if you don't stay on top of it.) My husband tells me that we actually LIVE in our house. I'm TRYING to be less obsessed!

[@73cidalia]

@@lisacrosby9487 Yes, a balance is important. There is such a thing as a messy house. I'm not a particularly judgmental person, but I've seen homes where you could barely set your foot anywhere, and cleaning would be difficult because of all the stuff on surfaces. To me, it's a sign of a life out of control.

[@dct90210]

10/10 would recommend stretching ground beef with lentils!!! I made spaghetti with ground beef and lentils the other day. My VERY PICKY husband loved it and couldn't even taste the lentils. Definitely a great way to sneak in something healthy options!

[@tanbobsparkles]

Christine, I need to thank you. For the last month I've been binge watching all your videos. Not only have I started doing more bulk meal prep, but it's opened my eyes to other meals I've never thought about. So on behalf of myself and my husband we thank you! I love getting the notifications that there is new videos

[@FrugalFitMom]

You are so welcome!

[@alwayslearning9272]

You should also watch 'Our Tribe of Many', they are awesome for their meal prepping and are just as entertaining to watch, so you'd get a lot of value from their videos as well. :)

[@paulamccarthy2177]

@@alwayslearning9272 & the wads and moss family tv and my self reliance

[@jenniferott196]

I have been binge watching you also.

[@lollife2023]

Love how you make me feel like I’m a normal mum, you don’t come across fake and I really appreciate you doing that. Your an amazing cook and you seem like great fun. Sending love from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 UK 🇬🇧💗💗💗

[@brendanjones3235]

You cross me as the greatest neighbor someone could have.

[@Leafkittie]

I seriously love how real life you are. Between the cheese on your foot and the spilled lentils, it is so fun watching you. Thamks, Kristin x

[@teodatalbott2323]

Yes I totally agree

[@raqueltello8443]

I love Budget Bytes! Her recipes saved me during my *super* broke college years.

[@christineaiello8854]

Pancakes too! A bit of bacon fat on the griddle adds a nice browning and a touch of flavor to your favorite recipe! Loved this show too!!!

[@terrylewis_]

I have fond memories of the shows my Mom and I watched together when I was a teenager. Ally McBeal was one of them, we both loved Downton Abbey too. I've rewatched it twice, and got to see the museum exhibit showing off the clothing, absolutely adored it!

[@kerrievans8263]

I stopped by my local Middle Eastern Market. I got ground cumin, ground coriander ground ginger and 2 curry powders including Garam Masala in 7-12 oz. bags for $2.99-4.99 many of those are much more expensive in much smaller spice containers at the supermarket. I also get Anise and cinnamon at the Asian market as well as rice, soy, oyster,Thai sweet chili, and fish sauce at big savings. I cook mostly rice based dishes from all over the world. I do lots of Mediterranean and Asian. Just a frugal tip!

[@kerrievans8263]

@@maaaaaaaaaarbe I am in an 90% white town, too. Trump signs as far as the eye can see in the bible belt in Arkansas but there is a college town 40 min away which is our Capital. Little Rock. We have some ethnic stores there. 4 of my kids were adopted from SE Asia where we lived for 7 years so we make a run for staples once a month. The Middle Eastern Market was a new stop. Its bearish our face Asian Market.

[@estellahenry6571]

Thank you for making these videos. I'm a busy wife and a Mommy of 7. You're videos are so helpful. God bless you and your family. 😊

[@jodythomas1159]

The Eating Together site and monthly meals has been a game changer!!!! $5 for an entire month of meals AND shopping list AND prep/cooking step by step instructions are incredible!!!! I’m so glad you mentioned the site!! 💞

[@michaelamcnamee5120]

The '1 teaspoon of garlic powder' in the Latin chicken is the equivalent to the '2 shots of vodka' meme 😂😂😂

[@AmandaRose-]

Thank you for teaching people how to cook for a family

[@teodatalbott2323]

"It's your house you can do whatever you want!" I LOVE IT 💘 You are like a friend or neighbor in the kitchen and so fun to watch. You're hilarious 🤣 Thank you for being you and all the videos you post. Just starting following and I am so happy I found you

[@phyllisschapiro7894]

Just a tip for freezer bag foods: flatten the food in the bag, as much as possible (of course get all the air out). Then freeeze it flat. After it's frozen, it's faster to defrost. Also, you can break it into pieces and take out as much or as little as you like. Or it can defrost faster in pieces. 😘

[@sabrinabot]

Save that jar, girl, I ALWAYS SAVE ALL JARS...maybe I have a problem, anyways, love your vids!

[@geminigem599]

I cant throw away jars either....

[@clusterbungle]

I'm the same then every few months I'm like "dang I've got too many jars, let's purge some" then regret it when I inevitably need ALL the jars! 😂

[@shelbobears]

Showed up, clicked button, experienced magic.

[@darlingwolfyful]

VERY well said!

[@Sigrid1509]

I always use red lentils to minced meat. You don't have to precook red lentils, and they like disappear while cooked in stew or sauce. 15 minutes cooked together with the rest of the stew/sauce, and add 1-2 times of water as the red lentils. Love your cooking!

[@kayaung660]

I can't even eat most of the meals you make (vegetarian here), but I just love your personality, so I still watch your videos anyways.

[@alwayslearning9272]

I'm the same, I go between vegetarian and vegan but just watch videos like this and then use an alternative such as tofu instead of the chicken, works just as well and her ideas give you a building block to go by. :)

[@seaamundsen4687]

@@alwayslearning9272 same!

[@future.homesteader]

You could make the sloppy joe sauce & put all lentil in it instead of meat + lentils.

[@bravehearticus]

“Dave call my mom to see if she can watch the kids so we can go to Cancun as we have all these freezer meals “ 😂😂😂😂

[@livinglifeasmommy656]

Should I tell the fact that we're going to cancun next week? 🤔

[@ambermurray4183]

@@livinglifeasmommy656 so are we!

[@bravehearticus]

I cancant

[@livinglifeasmommy656]

@@ambermurray4183 yay for vacations

[@NaturallyDOPE0990]

I’m about to go to San Juan. And yes we all need a vacation

[@bethscraper7211]

I'm so happy I found your channel!! We are a family of 6 as well, and you helped me cut my grocery spending in HALF!!!

[@FrugalFitMom]

That is awesome!

[@Brittbritt15]

“It’s hard to be this classy” 😂😂😂

[@LauraJean168]

Struggling to sleep from pain (and crazy wind outside), slight sigh of relief seeing your video pop up, it is relaxing listening to you

[@tiffanyivy1495]

Thank you for so much inspiration. Your channel is one of my favorite channels.

[@FrugalFitMom]

Wow, thank you!

[@countrybootsgirl]

Risky Business Spin Me Around, Dead Or Alive and Karate Kid this 80s queen is loving this video! ❤

[@westfail7723]

I was talking to one of my college friends and mentioned I was watching your video and it turns out she also watches your channel. With only ~175k subs I was a little surprised but definitely not disappointed. Made me like her just a little bit more.

[@FrugalFitMom]

Love it!!

[@elizabethwutzke9040]

I love lentils and I love your channel...you are my daughter's age and you have her sense of humor which is great to see especially when I'm missing her

[@jacquelinearmstrong5650]

😂 “she’s making content!” That was great. Loved the video!

[@Jen-Chapin]

Now those are some EXTREME freezer meals!

[@FrugalFitMom]

LOL! I see what you did there. ;)

[@j.n.w7903]

🤣😂🤣😂🤣 I ❤ you, Guys!!!

[@singsongvideolover]

Saaaame! ❤

[@thenerdymillennial]

Lol love you both...you ladies are amazing! I noticed that you used elk in one of these recipes which I think is awesome! If anyone is interested in something a little more adventurous I have an amazing recipe for bear chili I got from a friend of mine... honestly I didn't even know it was bear until he told me...it tasted soooooo much like beef I was really surprised!!

[@yvonnepalmquist8676]

@@thenerdymillennial 😮

[@bettykaster3077]

No other rice beats jasmine rice, and you crack me up with feeling a little saucy. Love watching your videos

[@ellaboffrell]

Now I'm vegan so slightly biased towards lentils, but one of my favorite meal preps is make a giant batch of marinara sauce, split some of it off and cook up with brown lentils for a bolognese sauce, then split some of that off, add frozen veggies & top with mash for a killer vegetarian shepherd's pie. All 3 are super freezer friendly so I always have one of them on hand for when I don't want to cook. I will say that a lot of people find red or yellow lentils tastier & both cook up a lot quicker than brown or green lentils so maybe give those whirl?

[@AndreaMartinez-rj2iw]

If you have had the lentils for a while, that could be why they we're still crunchy even after cooking longer. It would probably help if you did a presoak before cooking to get them to moosh up a little better. Great ideas for meals! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

[@byuielenas.7784]

Put onions in a freezer for 10-20 minutes before chopping, and you'll never cry again :)

[@sharondavizcaino7603]

Just keep your onions in the refrigerator until you use them and never shed a tear

[@lauriedryburgh8752]

Thanks for the tip! Why have I never heard of putting the onions in the freezer before cutting them ??? - I will definitely try it!!!!

[@iannawasser6247]

Dont cut off the root and u wont cry

[@mizenars]

Your videos are so smooth to watch and I don’t get bored while your prepping. Thanks so much for all you do.

[@kristietobin81]

I love that you save your bacon fat! My friends have always thought I was weird for keeping it!

[@luz3922]

My husband and I enjoyed watching Cobra Kai. We both loved the karate kid movies back in the day. Love your videos! There are 5 in our family and you give me lots of great ideas. Thank you!

[@sherrymuzykazekestravels6793]

“Who could not LIKE this video! Awesome job❤️❤️

[@jonicabeird4657]

Your personality makes these videos so fun!! 🙃🙃🤣🤣🤣🤣💯💯💯😊😊😊😊

[@amanda2324]

"I'm. Not. Doin'. It." That level of sass! I love it!

[@amarien82]

If you need an idea for those minced dried onions. My daughter loves to rehydrate them and put them on burgers and hotdogs. When you rehydrate them they have the texture of the little onions that are on a burger at McDonalds, which to me is the best part of the burger from there lol. I just pour some hot water on them and let them soak it up, drain any leftover water and they are good to go!

[@melissakillpack5605]

Thanks so much for the emotional lift Christine! Needed it so much

[@esmeraldadevries9182]

Hope you and your baby are well. Stay strong.

[@adelechicken6356]

If you are in USA and need help with groceries, please consider contacting Social Services, and local food banks, I hope you can find help. No one should have to be worried about food and especially if pregnant.

[@melissakillpack5605]

Adele CHICKEN I don’t mean to be rude but we have food just no groceries yet!

[@lisachapman6492]

There is a YOU TUBE channel called STRUGGLE MEALS . A young man does all these GENIUS recipes that really stretch your budget.Hopefully this tip might help.

[@melissakillpack5605]

Lisa Chapman thanks

[@crash3x]

Omg Downton Abbey is amazing I have watched the entire series 5 times..and the Movie twice. I can rewatch series I love all the time ....

[@phyllisschapiro7894]

YaY!!! I love your presentations!! and tips!!! Thank you!!! 🤩🤩🤩

[@rockabyecayleigh1984]

I have watched so many of your videos! I love your quirky personality and your good ideas!

[@patriciawilliams4213]

I don’t like lentils either. I understand where you are coming from. I have been binge watching your show and I am beginning to think you are my sister from another mother. Every time you make jokes or put on the scenes from movies, it cracks me up. I am older (74) and my husband and I have been married for 53 years and I think husbands are a lot alike no matter where you live. We live in Texas and we love it here. You said you lived here for awhile. Maybe that’s why I identify myself with you. When you go to Sams and talk about high prices on items, you are absolutely correct. I will be watching you-and enjoying it tremendously. Love you. Patricia

[@adagioborntrager4456]

Lentils are delisous when they are cooked and seasoned right! I love looking around on Pinterest to find all my recipes. Love using them as a rice replacement or in soups. Also delicious in a bolognese!

[@crystalkilby3598]

I had a friend who made meatless meatloaf with lentils and walnuts had the rest of spices and I think brown rice believe me it was very good and tasted like meatloaf

[@rachelford9569]

I tried something like that years ago; I put bbq sauce on top of it. It tasted really good. I don’t eat a lot of beans now for health reasons but it can definitely be a budget saver!

[@susanolson3611]

It's funny that people who choose to eat no meat, make and eat food that tastes like meat.

[@evrichardson6995]

This is such a great video! I've made note of a few of the recipes I want to try; we don't eat a lot of meat (I'm basically vegetarian) so I will just sub out alternative protein sources. Love your personality- very chill and fun while also seeming pretty no-nonsense. The sort of friend I would invite over for a cup of coffee!

[@miraclearceneaux9794]

You shushing your kids to talk is the most relatable thing I've seen today

[@lisaortiz6859]

You are so much fun to watch. 😂 Loved the meal prep ideas. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@scarlet8078]

Hi Christine, we freeze baked ziti all the time & never have a problem with it becoming overcooked. Of course, when you reheat it, don't go crazy & leave it in too long, but in my experience it'll dry out before it'll become overcooked. I will say that if you're planning on freezing a pasta, ziti is recommended due to its toughness & its shape. It helps to use a regular pasta (not one of the new ingredient pastas like chickpeas or lentils)

[@bumlessdino1916]

I saw one of her videos I subscribed and now I'm on a marathon 😂😂😂

[@heatherjohnson9985]

I love your down to earth attitude! All your extra words ...make up stuff, love it!! So fun! Thank you for sharing yourself with us!!❤💖

[@ShannonTabaldoLMU]

LOL I love the camera in the microwave shot! 🤣🤣 I love your videos and humor!! 👍🏼

[@kimtrinh1524]

I'm addicted to your channel, and have been binge watching. Your meals are delicious. Your budget is realistic too. And I love your positivity.

[@kmmiller05]

Usually I find lentils taste better if you cook them broth/add bouillon to the water you cook them in

[@joannadee3565]

You're great girl! I know so many younger people (than me) that don't cook! It so easy, right!

[@angelaworley8839]

We put in a secret ingredient in the sauce for the ziti.. add just a bit of cinnamon to it and it adds warming flavor that is indescribably addicting and delicious. You want to be able to tell it is there bit not exactly what it is. Ohhhh my goodness.. making me want it now.

[@robinbartolome2154]

I love your channel. Especially the Freezer Meals.

[@stephaniesmith4814]

Hi there! I am obsessed with your channel! I want to be more prepared in the food department as you are! I have three little ones and I just purchased an insta pot .. I'm so excited. You've taught me so much already! Everytime I watch your videos and you chop onion I tell myself I NEED to share with you my secret! So if you chop your onions with a very sharp chopping knife by the open flame of the stove the fire with defuse the gasses that onions let out when you cut them and you wont cry! Hope it helps!

[@laurieflores2758]

I love you... you make me happy 😁... I like your attitude about making freezer meals...

[@karincope3019]

A very good Netflix series is Call The Midwife, it’s not good for young kids but think good for you and Hailey .

[@JoKewaykezhick]

I make a grain mix that I substitute whenever I would generally use white rice. It has some white rice but also brown and wild rice, quinoa, millet, buckwheat etc. I will put that in my instant pot with whatever veggies I have, lentils and chicken stock (2 cups for every cup of lentils and grains). I've also been known to add black eyed peas, split peas or chickpeas as well. It's a great protein packed meal or side dish and after the initial purchase of grains, super affordable.

[@korycranford1457]

I wish I had your energy! So fun to watch! Great inspiration for someone out of ideas.

[@alexishampton3943]

Thanks! My 2 year old is going to grandparents house today so I think I'll do some of these today! That way I can have easy meals for Friday's and saturdays!

[@rebekahmccaul]

Good value 😝 also quite funny ! Watching from Australia. We don’t have elk, but I guess we could use venison?

[@jpaulswan]

Love budget bytes! Great video today! We are also just starting cobra kai and we've been cracking up the whole time.

[@micheletaal4442]

Loving the stand up comedy kitchen cooking show today.

[@pattiupton1499]

That's a great idea putting the ziplocs in the pitchers. Never would have thought about that!!

[@toshafocht743]

My husband cannot eat tomatoes, so I sub out tomato paste with canned pumpkin. Helps add that consistency without the after effects...in his case. I usually only need a little bit, so I freeze the leftover canned pumpkin in an ice cube tray in 1 tbsp amounts...then add to my cooking as needed in the future.

[@spanky1945]

I’ve been binge watching your videos also thank you so much

[@lu_to_the_wanna]

I just adore your style. Real cooking, excellent instincts with the ingredients, no ego, lots of variety and delicious looking meals. Mahalo from Hawaii~

[@Saturn57]

Even though I like lentils, I was so happy for you that it worked out well in that recipe 😅

[@tahloucunningham1098]

Rinse your lentils. Or just soak for like 5 minutes and drain before cooking. Helps with the taste.

[@galeabbs2]

Actually if Christine used red lentils it would just meld into the mince xx

[@sisasickletter]

@not available I really like red lentils but I don't really enjoy the other colours

[@cynthiamyers4265]

Hiding lentils in sloppy joe or taco meat is the only way we can eat them. Oh, and they work in spaghetti sauce with ground meat too.

[@scarlet8078]

Yeah, my whole family (including me) dislikes lentils 😄

[@lindakrause8793]

If zucchini is grated and cooked (or at least canned) then it will take on the flavor of what it is cooked with, for examp!e, pineapple.

[@vickib6811]

Lentils and black beans are my favorites! 😂🤣😂 I’m loving your channel!

[@machristenson]

I made the Teriyaki meatballs for lunch today but subbed some frozen meatballs I already had (day 12 of my freezer cleanout challenge on a $20/week budget) and it was a hit with the kids! I linked to your YT page from my blog post :)

[@AndreaRuralMN]

I have a huge pan like your new one, but it's stainless. Love it! I like your fold over pitcher technique for bags. I always fold over the tops, keeps the raw meat juices inside, yes it's OCD...

[@breannacocagne7444]

I don’t know how I stumbled upon your channel, but I am so grateful and amazed at all these and so excited to try them!

[@priscillacovarrubias4816]

I love lentils 😍 jajaja try cooking them with bacon, chorizo, diced potatoes and sautéed tomatoes, onion and jalapeños. Delicious meaty soup for cold days 😋

[@megameg6038]

Love these freezer meal ideas. So many freezer meals I've tried or recipes I've seen just don't sound appetizing, but these, yum! I'm expecting, so I will definitely be adding these to my list to prep for baby! thank you!

[@paulamccarthy2177]

I've put a joint of beef in my slower cooker with veg and garlic.. I'll add some rice or potatoes or something later with gravy or veg stock.. Quick and easy

[@Omgbrittbee]

Christine - I wish you could come here and help me in my kitchen for a day! Lol! We could cook up all sorts of things! Problem I have is that I currently don’t have a working stove! Have a pressure cooker, croc pot, and stovetop eyes I use for stovetop cooking. Oh and a toaster oven. So the struggle is currently real for me!!! You’re awesome girl! You inspire me!

[@countrybootsgirl]

Almost 52 here, pulled my back yesterday! Ouch! Love you and all your meal ideas. Just no spicy food in this house. I am making chicken and gravy tomorrow, and BBQ pork roast Sunday. Thank you for these videos. I look forward to them. I keep frozen bell peppers on hand. Comes in handy. Today I made old fashioned hamburger soup it was delish.

[@BellClan37]

You're delightful and inspiring!

[@ashleykilby7143]

Make your lentils in the instant pot!! Super easy and yummy.

[@--MOONCAT--]

You are amazing, girl! So funny. I’m hooked. Thank you so much for all the great tips! ❤️

[@LynneGirl26]

I love Budget Bytes. So many good recipes.

[@mrswhite645]

Just want to say that I enjoy your videos as much as any show on The Food Network. Your household management and general good attitude are goals without making me (or others) feel inferior in any way. I really enjoy your content even though I cook for a small family of 3. Keep it up!

[@yvonnepalmquist8676]

She has literally saved my sanity during this quarantine. I have to agree with you Nic.

[@lindakrause8793]

Well hey then, let's recommend her to Food Network! She should be able t work from her own kitchen if she negotiates with them! 💖

[@kathyforgues6994]

I love lentils, I use them in a lentil veggie curry! They usually are nice and soft after a good long simmer!

[@rachelnavarro601]

You’re HILARIOUS! This was one of my favorite recipe videos yet!

[@TheVvlayev]

Christine! You are awesome!! You are amazing!! You look great and fit!! Thank you for showing normal meals !!

[@JaclynMorris22]

If you aren't a fan of lentils you should try making "porcupines" using ground beef and rice instead. I've eaten if over rice, pasta, or cooked shredded cabbage for a stuffed cabbage feel. It's a great way to stretch ground beef.