The frozen food aisle can be your best friend when it is time to plan your meals for the week. A well-stocked freezer is the secret to creating quick, easy, and affordable dinners. The key is to look for versatile, multi-purpose ingredients that can be used as the base for a variety of different dishes. By stocking up on these eleven freezer staples, you can stretch a single purchase into a delicious meal that will last for multiple nights.
1. A Bag of Cooked, Frozen Meatballs
A large bag of pre-cooked, frozen meatballs is one of the most versatile items in the entire freezer aisle. One night, you can use them to make a classic spaghetti and meatballs. The next night, you can use the leftovers to make a hearty meatball sub. You can even use them as the protein in a simple soup.
2. A Package of Frozen Puff Pastry
The individual frozen puff pastry shells are another versatile ingredient. You can use them to create a simple, single-serving chicken pot pie. They also make for a quick and elegant dessert. You just have to bake them and then fill them with some pudding and some fresh fruit.
3. Frozen Ravioli or Tortellini
A bag of frozen ravioli or tortellini is more than just a simple pasta dish. It is a versatile ingredient. One night, you can serve it with a simple red sauce. The next night, you can toss the leftover cooked pasta with some vegetables and a vinaigrette to create a delicious and satisfying pasta salad for lunch.
4. A Large Bag of Chopped Spinach
A block or a bag of frozen, chopped spinach is a nutritional powerhouse that can be added to almost anything. You can mix it into your pasta sauce to add some extra vegetables. You can also add it to your scrambled eggs in the morning. It is a simple and very cheap way to stretch a meal and to boost its nutritional value.
5. Bulk Ground Beef
When ground beef goes on sale, you should buy it in a large, bulk package. You can then go home and divide it into smaller, one-pound portions. You can wrap these portions in plastic wrap and freeze them. This gives you a ready supply of the base for a huge number of meals, from tacos to shepherd’s pie.
6. A Bag of Pre-Cooked, Grilled Chicken Strips
A bag of pre-cooked, grilled chicken strips is a massive time-saver for a busy weeknight. You can use the chicken to make a quick and easy chicken Caesar salad one night. The next day, you can use the leftovers to make a simple chicken quesadilla or a wrap for lunch.
7. A Bag of Cooked, Pulled Pork or Chicken
Many brands now sell a large, pre-cooked, and pre-shredded tub of pulled pork or chicken. This is a fantastic and very versatile base for several different meals. One night, you can make classic barbecue sandwiches. The next day, you can use the leftover meat as a topping for a pizza or as the filling for a taco.
8. Frozen Stir-Fry Vegetables
A large bag of frozen stir-fry vegetables is a great staple to have on hand. It is a mix of a variety of different vegetables, like broccoli, carrots, and snap peas. You can use half of the bag for a classic stir-fry one night. You can then use the other half as the base for a simple and healthy vegetable soup the next day.
9. A Bag of Pre-Cooked Rice
You can now buy a bag of pre-cooked, frozen rice. This is a huge time-saver. You can use it as a simple side dish for your dinner one night. You can then use the leftovers the next day to make a quick and delicious fried rice. This is a great way to use up any leftover vegetables you have in your fridge.
10. Frozen Pizza Dough
A ball of frozen pizza dough is a blank canvas for a huge number of different meals. The most obvious use is to make a homemade pizza. However, you can also use the dough to make a simple calzone. You can even use it to make a batch of garlic knots or a simple, rustic flatbread.
The Flexible Freezer
Your freezer is the key to a more flexible, more affordable, and less wasteful way of cooking. It is a tool that allows you to think beyond just a single meal. By stocking your freezer with these versatile and multi-purpose staples, you can start to see your ingredients in a new light. You can see them as the building blocks for a whole week of delicious and creative meals. It is a simple shift in mindset that can have a big impact on your kitchen and on your budget.
What is your favorite multi-purpose freezer item? What is your go-to meal that you make with frozen ingredients? Let us know your tips!
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