Cooking On a budget need casserole ideas...

[nathaliabrown]

I have a family of 5. I want to make casseroles and freeze one pan so I can start saving money. I have no clue on any recipes for these .... any ideas?

 

[Maggimus]

I made a super easy casserole last night, not sure that I would freeze it

I took 2 chicken breasts and boiled them for about 20min.

Then cut chicken into chunks and lined the bottom of a baking pan.

1can cream of chicken soup and 3/4 cup milk, combined and poured on top of chicken

topped with shredded cheese

Then prepared 1 Stove-Top Stuffing Chicken flavored mix and after it sat for a minute I sprinkled it all over the top of the dish.

Bake 350 for about 30min..

DH ate a lot and I thought it was really good. Next time I might add sour cream instead of milk just to see what happens. You could add 2 cans of Veg-All or frozen veggies you have on hand!

Cheap and yummy!

 

[ADKSPiette]

I usually make two lasagnas out of one box of noodles. I never pre-cook the noodles, so when I freeze them and they defrost, they get moist and they cook nicely.

I have a WW recipe for a Mexican Layered Cassarole. It's definitely a HUGE meal and my kids love this meal. http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=93071

Also, I make a turkey chili, and when you double it, you can freeze 1/2 and have it for another time.

 

[NotUrsula]

Well, it isn't a casserole, but jambalaya freezes VERY well, and is quite cheap to make.

If you like Southwestern-type things, tamale pie also freezes very well.

As a general rule, things with cream-based or flour-thickened sauces don't freeze well, and neither do potatoes. Rice or pasta starches work best for freezing.

Holly Clegg's cookbooks are some of my favorites, and she has one specifically for things you can freeze. This is it: http://www.amazon.com/Holly-Cleggs-Terrific-Freezer-Friendly/dp/0762425970

To sse some samples of her recipes, go to http://www.hollyclegg.com/recipes.cfm?sort=book

 

[brekin67]

Chicken pot pie:
Buy a set of frozen pie crust. Mix a cut up chicken breast, a cup of frozen veggies, and cream of chicken soup. Pour in the frozen crust, then top with the other frozen crust. Then bake.

 

[ADKSPiette]

I definitely agree!
I also make a bunch of apple pies in the fall and freeze them and then in the winter and spring months we can have fresh baked apple pie!

Chicken pot pie:
Buy a set of frozen pie crust. Mix a cut up chicken breast, a cup of frozen veggies, and cream of chicken soup. Pour in the frozen crust, then top with the other frozen crust. Then bake.