Crockpot Beef Stew by Beth

Ingredients:
2 lbs. cubed beef stew meat
1 c. chopped onion
1 T. minced garlic
2 pkgs. beef gravy mix
2 c. water
1/2 c. Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 c. baby carrots
1 lb. red potatoes, cut into large chunks
2 c. frozen peas, thawed
Assembly:
Brown meat in small amount of oil.  Season with salt and pepper.  Once slightly cooled, transfer to gallon freezer bag.  To the bag, add garlic, onion, and carrots.  Whisk together gravy powder, water, and Worcestershire sauce.  Pour into bag and seal.  Freeze.
Serving Day:
Thaw freezer bag in the fridge.  Dump into crockpot and add potatoes.  Cook on high 4 1/2 hours or on low for 9 hours.  Add peas during the last 10 min. 

Jackie's Not So Spicy, Spicy Beef Roast

Ingredients:
3 pound top round roast
1 tablespoons cracked black peppercorns (use 2 Tbsp. if you like it spicy)
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
4 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons dry mustard

Assembly:
Combine pepper and garlic. 
Cut shallow slits in roast. 
Rub with pepper/garlic mixture.
Place roast in gallon size Ziploc freezer bag.
Combine remaining ingredients.
Pour over meat.
Freeze.

Serving Day:
Thaw completely. Place in slow cooker.  Pour juices over roast.  Cook on low 8-10 hours.  Cut thin slices against the grain. Return to au jus in crockpot until ready to serve.  Place meat slices on platter to serve.  If desired, pour au jus into gravy bowl to be drizzled over meat.

Cheeseburger Sliders by Beth

I got this recipe from a Facebook video around Super Bowl time.  It doubles as a good dinner or appetizer!  http://fox8.com/2016/01/29/super-bowl-snacks-heres-an-easy-cheesy-pull-apart-sliders-recipe/

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon mustard powder
½ teaspoon paprika
2 cups diced onion (about 1 medium onion)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (10-oz) can Ro-Tel Diced Tomatoes and Green Chiles, drained
12 slices cheddar cheese
12 dinner rolls
Glaze:
½ cup butter
2 tablespoons Brown Sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon mustard
1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Assembly:
In large skillet, brown the beef with onion and garlic.  Drain; return to skillet and add seasonings.  Stir in drained tomatoes until combined. Slice dinner rolls in half and place bottom half of rolls in 9x13 baking dish. Top with beef mixture & sliced cheese. Top with the top half of the buns.
Mix all the ingredients for the glaze in a sauce pan over medium heat (or microwave about 40 seconds) and mix until melted, smooth, and combined. Pour evenly over the buns.

Serving Day:
Thaw in fridge.  Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.

Teriyaki Meatballs by Jackie

 Do you love an easy meal? As a mom of four active children, I sure do!   

My slow cooker saves dinnertime for us on a regular basis, especially now, with the busyness of summer! Freezer Friend, Jen, first made this recipe back in 2011, as a baked dish. I decided to try it in the slow cooker and it worked perfectly!  I hope you enjoy this delicious, colorful dish as much as we do!

Meatball Ingredients:

36 - 1 oz. frozen homestyle meatballs (I used Deluxe Meatballs from GFS.)

1 large can of pineapple chucks and juice

1 jar of Kikoman’s Teriyaki Baste and Glaze (Kroger brand works too.)

2 cups of frozen 3 pepper and onion blend  

Assembly ~ Meatballs:

Pour pineapple chunks and juice, teriyaki glaze, frozen vegetables and frozen meatballs into a gallon size Ziploc freezer bag. Freeze bag standing up, so it can easily be put into slow cooker while still frozen. 

Serving Day ~ Meatballs:

Option 1: Cook from thawed:

Thaw completely. Pour meatball mixture into a 9x13 baking dish.  Bake covered at 350 for 30-45 minutes. Serve over the cooked rice.

 

Option 2: Cook from frozen:

Pour frozen meatball mixture into slow cooker.  Cook on low for 7 to 8 hours, or on high setting for 4 to 5 hours, until done.

Serve both options over prepared rice.

Rice Ingredients:

1 bag of  rice

1 Tbsp. butter

1 tsp. salt

Assembly ~ Rice:  

Place rice, butter and salt into quart size freezer bag.  Freeze flat.

Serving Day ~ Rice: 

(Note to Freezer Friendz Swap Group: I already added butter and salt into your bags of rice.)

Stove Top Directions:

Add rice and 3 1/3c. water in a saucepan.  Stir and bring to a boil.  Lower heat to simmer.  Cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until all water is absorbed.  Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. 

Microwave Directions:

Add rice and 3 1/3 c. water to microwave safe container.  Stir and cover.  Cook on High (100%) power for 5 minutes.  Cook on Medium (50%) power for 30 minutes.  Remove from microwave and let stand covered for 5 minutes.

Brown Sugar Meatloaf by Alicia

This recipe is from: http://astepinthejourney.com/2014/03/brown-sugar-meatloaf.html

After having my third child I was blessed with many meals from many friends.  This was one of my favorites and I had to get the recipe from her.  When she made this meatloaf, she made it with turkey and oh man was it delicious!!!  You can use ground beef or ground turkey in this recipe and both are yummy.  We pair this with chunky smashed potatoes and fresh red beets.  

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1.5 - 2 lbs of lean ground beef
• 1 cloves of garlic
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 pkg dry onion soup mix
• 3/4 cup oatmeal
• 
  

Assembly:

Line a loaf pan with aluminum foil for easy serving and clean up. 

Combine brown sugar, ketchup, and 1 TBSP Worcestershire sauce, 
mix well and set aside.

In a separate bowl combine ground beef, minced garlic, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, milk, 2 eggs, salt and black pepper, dry onion soup mix, and oatmeal. 
Mix well with your hand and then add 1/3 of the brown sugar mixture.

Pour enough of the brown sugar mixture to cover the bottom of the loaf pan.  
Add the meatloaf and top with the remaining brown sugar mixture. 

To bake:

Thaw the night before in the refrigerator.  

Preheat the oven to 350, bake for 1 hour or until the meatloaf reaches 165 degrees on a meat thermometer.  

Pizza Meatloaf by Tiffany

https://onceamonthmeals.com/recipes/pizza-meatloaf/

8 servings

Ingredients
2 eggs
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon season salt
1 cup crushed saltines (I used bread crumbs)
6 oz pizza sauce
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground Italian sausage
additional 2 oz pizza sauce
additional 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella

Directions
1. In a large bowl, mix the eggs, pepper, season salt, crackers/bread crumbs, 6 oz pizza sauce, Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup mozzarella and oregano.

2. Add beef and sausage and mix well.

3. Add mixture to loaf pan. Put additional pizza sauce and mozzarella in separate freezer bags. Place bag of cheese and sauce on top of meat in loaf pan. Wrap in aluminum foil and freeze.

On Cooking Day
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, bake 50 minutes.

2. Spread remaining pizza sauce over top of loaf and bake 10 minutes.

3. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and return to oven for 5 minutes more.

Beef Stir-Fry by Beth

Ingredients:
1 lb. chuck roast,  thinly sliced against the grain             

3 T. cornstarch
3 T. soy sauce                      
16 oz. package frozen stir-fry vegetables
2 T. minced garlic
1/2 jar baby corn, drained and cut in half
1/2 jar bean sprouts, drained 
1 c. beef stock
1/4 c. brown sugar, packed
1/4 c. soy sauce
2 T. hoisin sauce
1 T. cornstarch
1 t. ginger                 ___      
2 c. Jasmine rice

Assembly:
Place beef in quart size freezer bag.  In small bowl, mix cornstarch and soy sauce.  Pour over meat; seal; and mash up bag to mix.  In gallon size freezer bag, combine veggies, garlic, corn, and sprouts.  In quart size freezer bag, dump stock, brown sugar, soy and hoisin sauces, cornstarch, and ginger.  Seal and mash up to mix.  Freeze all bags flat.

Serving Day:
Thaw all bags in the fridge.  In large skillet, sauté veggies in a little oil over med-high heat until crisp tender.  Remove veggies.  Add a little more oil.  Cook beef in same skillet until browned, about 5 min.  Add veggies, pour in sauce, and bring to a boil.  Boil for 2 minutes until sauce thickens.  Serve over rice.
***For rice:  In saucepan, bring 3 c. water to boil.  Stir in rice.  Cover.  Reduce heat and simmer for 15 min. or until all the water is absorbed***

COPY CAT STOUFFER’S LASAGNA by Tiffany

• Ingredients:
1 pound cooked Ground Beef
1 pound cooked Ground Sweet Italian Sausage
34 ounces Tomato Sauce
2 tablespoons Italian Seasoning
1 teaspoon Nutmeg
1 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
½ teaspoons Black Pepper
½ cups Parmesan Cheese, Grated
15 ounces Ricotta Cheese
9 ounces No-Boil Lasagna
2 cups Mozzarella Cheese, Shredded
• Assembly:
• In a large pan over medium heat, combine ground beef, sausage, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, nutmeg, red pepper flakes, and black pepper.
  Cook for 15 minutes.
  Set aside to cool.
  In a small bowl, stir together grated Parmesan and ricotta cheese.
  Pour 1/2 cup of sauce into the bottom of indicated number of pans.
  Top with enough lasagna noodles to cover the bottom.
  Layer meat sauce, ricotta cheese mixture, and then lasagna noodles ending with meat sauce on top.
  Cover top of lasagna with mozzarella cheese.
  Cover tightly with foil, label, and freeze.

• Serving Day:
Bake at 375 covered for 45 minutes.
Uncover and bake another 10 minutes.

Grilled Beef Fajitas

The original recipe is found in Taste of Home-Busy Family Favorites, by the Taste of Home Test Kitchen.
Ingredients:
1 sliced sweet red pepper
1 sliced onion
4 Tablespoons (1/4 cup) Olive oil
1 1/2 lbs boneless beef top round steak, cut into thin strips
2 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Pepper
1/2 cup spreadable chive and onion cream cheese
8 flour tortillas (8 inches)


Assembly:
Cut up and put in a gallon size ziplock bag, the first 7 ingredients.  I then double bag the bag and include the tortillas and cream cheese in the second bag.


Serving Day:
Thaw completely.  In a large skillet, sauté the beef mixture until the meat reaches desired doneness.  To serve, spread 1 tablespoon of cream cheese off-center on each tortilla; top with beef mixture.  Fold in sides and roll up. 
You may also cook the rolled-up tortilla on a Panini maker or indoor grill for 3-4 minutes or until tortilla is browned.


Yield:  8 servings

Cheeseburger and Fries Casserole by Beth

Ingredients:
1 1/2 lb. ground beef
1/2 onion, chopped
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 tsp. garlic salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
24 oz. frozen seasoned French fries
Assembly:
In skillet, brown beef with onion; drain fat.  Combine beef with soup, salt, and pepper.  Spread into the bottom of a greased 9 x 13 foil pan.  Sprinkle cheese evenly over the top.  Cover evenly with French fries.  Cover with foil lid and freeze.
Serving Day:
Completely thaw casserole.  Bake at 350 for 30 min.  Then, increase heat to 400 and continue to bake until fries are crispy and meat mixture is bubbly (15-20 min).  Serve with ketchup and mustard, if desired.

Italian Steak Sandwiches by Jackie

*Adapted from http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/italian-steak-sandwiches/print#

Ingredients: 

2 Tbsp. olive oil

3 garlic cloves, minced
1/8 + 1/16 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1 lb. sliced deli roast beef
3/4 c. beef broth
3 Tbsp. red wine or additional beef broth
1 Tbsp. dried parsley flakes
1 Tbsp. dried basil
1/4 + 1/8 tsp. salt
1/4 + 1/8 tsp. dried oregano
1/8 + 1/16 tsp. pepper
6 sandwich rolls, split
6 slices provolone cheese

Assembly: 

Heat oil in large skillet. Add garlic and pepper flakes; cook and stir 1 minute. Add roast beef, broth, wine and seasonings; heat through.  Cool.  Place meat and juices into quart size Ziploc freezer bag.  Place cheese slices into Ziploc sandwich bag.  Place package of rolls, meat bag and cheese bag into 2 gallon freezer bag.  Label.  Lay flat to freeze.

Serving Day:
Thaw.  Heat meat in small pan.  Bake rolls until lightly browned.  Place beef slices on rolls; drizzle with broth mixture. Top with cheese.

Salsa Sloppy Joes

This is from the Taste of Home-Busy Family Favorites Cookbook, Krista Collins-Concord, NC.


Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1-1/3 cup salsa (15 oz.) (I used Chi-Chi's salsa)
1 can (10-3/4 oz.) condensed tomato soup, undiluted
1 tablespoon brown sugar
8 hamburger buns


Assembly:
In a large skillet cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in the salsa, soup and brown sugar. Let cool a few minutes before filling into gallon size ziplock bag.


Serving Day:
Thaw. pour into large skillet.  Cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until heated through.  Spoon 1/2 cup onto each bun.


Yield:  8 servings

Garlic & Herb Beef Bottom Round Roast by Jackie

**Adapted from http://www.justapinch.com/recipes/main-course/beef/beef-bottom-round-roast-perfection.html

Ingredients:

4-6 lb. beef bottom round roast

6 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. coarse sea salt
2 Tbsp. dried rosemary
1 Tbsp. dried thyme
1 Tbsp. cracked black pepper
2 Tbsp. minced onion flakes (can sub 2 tsp. onion powder)
1/4 c. olive oil



Assembly:
Place roast on a plate.  Mix all dry ingredients together.  Add oil until a paste forms.  Smear mixture on all sides of the roast.  Place in gallon size Ziploc freezer bag.  Label and freeze.

Serving Day:
Thaw completely.  Place roast in slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Optional:
Remove the roast from slow cooker. Combine drippings with 1-3 tablespoons
of flour.  Increase temperature to high until gravy reaches desired consistency.

Shepherd's Pie Stuffed Potatoes by Beth

adapted from https://www.facebook.com/buzzfeedtasty

Ingredients:
6 large baking potatoes
1/2 large onion, chopped
1 lb. ground beef
1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. thyme
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 T. Worcestershire sauce
1 can beef broth
12 oz. pkg. frozen peas and carrots (cooked as directed on the package)
milk
butter
additional salt and pepper

Assembly:
Scrub and rinse potatoes thoroughly.  Place in 9x13, cover with foil, and bake at 400 for 1-1 1/2 hrs until soft (the time depends on the size of the potato).  Uncover and allow to cool.  In large skillet, cook onion and beef until beef is done; drain.  Return beef to skillet and add flour, seasonings, and Worcestershire sauce.  Mix until combined; add broth.  Cook until mixture is bubbly.  Add veggies; stir until combined; remove from heat.  Lay potato on cutting board, slice the top off (lengthwise) and scoop out the potato pulp leaving enough around the edges to make a boat. 

Fill each boat with beef mixture to the top (you may have leftover beef mixture based on the size of your potatoes).  In a large mixing bowl, make mashed potatoes by beating the potato pulp, milk, butter, and salt/pepper.  (Amounts of milk, butter, and seasonings is based on how much potato pulp you have and to your taste).  Pour mashed potato in gallon size plastic bag.  Cut a small hole in the corner and pipe mashed potatoes onto top of beefy boats.

Place boats in 9x13, cover, and freeze.

Serving Day:
Thaw completely in fridge.  Bake, uncovered, at 375 for 45-60 min.  These are thick and take awhile to get the inside hot.  Once hot throughout, broil the last 5 min. to get a slightly crispy potato top.  Enjoy!

Homemade Sloppy Joes by Jackie

Adapted from Best Loved Slow Cooker Recipes

*As of May 2009, this recipe can be made gluten free by using the products in parenthesis.

One recipe makes 16 servings.

Ingredients:
3 lb. ground beef
1 c. chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced or ¼ tsp. garlic powder
1 1/2 c. ketchup (*Heinz)
1 c. chopped green pepper (I used orange peppers too.)
1/2 c. water
4T. brown sugar (*organic)
4 T. prepared mustard (*French’s)
4 T. vinegar (*red wine vinegar)
4 T. Worcestershire sauce (*French’s or Lee & Perrins)
3 tsp. chili powder

Assembly:
In large skillet, brown ground beef, onion and garlic. Cook until meat is brown and onion is tender. Drain fat. In any size crock pot, combine remaining ingredients. Stir in meat mixture. Cover and cook on Low 6-8 hrs. or on High 3-4 hrs. Allow mixture to cool.  Divide meat between two gallon-size Ziploc freezer bags.

Serving Day:Place in microwave-safe bowl. Microwave until heated through. Serve on toasted buns
.

Mom's Meatloaf by Beth

Ingredients:
2 lbs. ground beef
1-10.5 oz. can condensed tomato soup, divided
1/4 c. chopped onion
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1/2 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed

Assembly:
Mix ingredients (only mix 1/2 can of soup) together and shape firmly into loaf.  Place into foil loaf pan.  Cover with foil and freeze.  Place remaining 1/2 can soup in small plastic bag and freeze.

Serving Day:
Thaw completely in fridge.  Remove foil, pour 1/4 c. water around the edges of the loaf.  Bake at 350, uncovered, for 1 hr and 15 min.  Blend tomato soup in bag with 1/4 c. water and 2-3 Tbsp of drippings from meatloaf.  Heat in small saucepan and pour over meatloaf. 

Backyard Burgers *Freezer to Table*

Ingredients: 
2 1/2 lbs Ground Beef
1 tsp Garlic Salt
1 1/2 tsp Onion powder
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 1/2  tbs Worcestershire sauce (I use the famous Lea & Perrins sauce that is an original 19th century recipe)
                 

Assembly:
Mix all of the ingredients together. Roll the ground beef into a ball and then flatten each patty with an indent in the middle of each one. It cooks more even with a indentation in the middle of the patty.

Serving Day:
FIRE UP THE GRILL! Once your grill is nice and hot. Cook your burgers to an internal temperature of 165 and get ready for a mouth watering burger. Throw all of your favorite toppings on and enjoy.

Melt-in-Your-Mouth Beef by: Jen

*adapted from Recipes.com

Ingredients: 

3 lbs. beef rib steak
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 can (10 1/2 ounces) Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 bottle (12 fluid ounces) dark ale or beer 
Hot mashed potatoes or egg noodles

Note: Add 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed if desired.  

Assembly:
Place the beef into a 5-quart slow cooker. Add the brown sugar, garlic, thyme and flour and toss to coat.  Stir the soup and ale in a small bowl. Pour over the beef.  Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 9 hours OR on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours.-- until the beef is fork-tender. Serve with the mashed potatoes or egg noodles. 

Serving Day:
Thaw completely.
Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 9 hours Or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours. or until the beef is fork-tender. Serve with the mashed potatoes or egg noodles.  

Seasoned Hamburger Patties by Amy

Ingredients:
1 pound of lean ground beef
1 egg
1/2 to 3/4 cup of plain bread crumbs
1 teaspoon of mixed seasoning (I used Steak 'N Chop seasoning by Weber - ingredients are sea salt, garlic and onion spices and sugar.)

Assembly:
1. In a large bowl, mix all four ingredients with your clean hands. It's very therapeutic.
2. Grab a handful of the mixture, form into a ball and shape into a patty. I used a patty maker for uniformity.
3. Put wax/parchment paper between patties and place in a freezer bag. Freeze.

Serving Day:
1. Remove patties from the freezer and completely thaw.
2. Find the grill master in your family and grill the patties!
3. Put your favorite fixings on this mouth watering hamburger patty!

Overstuffed Mexican Peppers by Jackie

Ingredients:
3 large or 4 regular size bell peppers
1/2 c.  quinoa, uncooked
1 lb. ground beef
1/4 tsp. black pepper
3/4 tsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. paprika
1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. sea salt
1/2 c. water
1 (15oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 Roma tomato, seeded and diced
1 (4oz.) can diced green chilies
1/2 c. cilantro, minced
3/4 c. picante sauce
1 1/2 c. grated Mexican cheese (Monterrey Jack, Cheddar, Queso Quesadilla & Asadero combo), divided
1 (15 oz.) can mild, red enchilada sauce

Assembly:
Add quinoa, 1 cup of water and a pinch of salt to small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.  Boil 5 minutes.  Turn off heat.  Cover and let steam for 15 minutes.  Fluff with a fork. 

Brown beef and onion in skillet.  Drain fat and return meat to skillet.  Add seasonings and water.  Cook for 5 minutes. 

Add quinoa, beans, chilies, cilantro, picante sauce and 1 cup cheese.  Mix well. 

Pour enchilada sauce into aluminum freezer pan. 

Cut peppers in half.  Place in baking dish.  Divide filling equally into each pepper.  Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 c. cheese.  Cover.  Freeze.

Serving Day:
Thaw completely.  Bake covered for 25-30 minutes on 375 degrees.  Remove foil.  Bake another 5 minutes. 

*If you prefer spicy, top peppers with enchilada sauce from the bottom of the baking dish.  If you like things more mild, I recommend not putting the sauce on the peppers.