I’ve been watching for a long time….. Watching as Crystal and Jessica plan meals for a whole month and then carry out a marathon cooking day, filling their freezers with delicious, nutritious meals. I’ve been making excuses and not making the time to try it. Then I spend the month regretting not jumping in, because I’m still cooking dinners on a regular basis! I dream of how wonderful it would be to pull out a meal to defrost and then pop it in the oven or on the grill the next night.
No more excuses! I’m diving in and giving this once a month cooking (OAMC) a try!
I have to start with my menu plan. Once I do that, I’ll make my shopping list and head to the grocery store.
Homemade Pizzas (1 each week)
Marinated/Grilled Chicken Meals
– 1 BBQ Sauce with homemade biscuits and green beans for sides
– 1 BBQ Sauce with baked yams and corn for sides
– 1 Teriyaki Marinade with mashed potatoes and broccoli for sides
2 Grilled Chicken Salad Meals – made with leftover grilled chicken
Southwestern Chicken Wraps
Bean Casserole with cornbread (2 meals)
Meatless Lasagna (2 meals)
Mini Meatloaves (2 meals)
– 1 with peas and noodles for sides
– 1 with baked yams and green beans
Chicken Sausage Stew
Crock Pot Teriyaki Pork Roast (2 meals)
– 1 with a rice mix and frozen veggies
– 1 with mashed sweet potatoes
Broiled Tilapia (2 meals)
– 1 Broiled Tilapia Parmesan with homemade biscuits and broccoli for sides
– 1 Broiled Tilapia & Italian seasoning with mac ‘n cheese and salads for sides
Italian Stuffed Shells ($5 Dinner Mom’s Recipe)
Cheesy Beef & Rice Casserole (Heavenly Homemaker’s Recipe) with broccoli
Crock Pot Potato Soup
Several of these recipes will make more than one meal for us. From my count, I should have 26 meals worth of food here. I always over-plan, so I’m assuming that these should take us through the month! Am I being overly-ambitious for my first go-around? I just have visions of meal prep being a breeze with a freezer full of food!
For more great OAMC ideas, stop by Money Saving Mom or Life As MOM.
Good luck with your cooking adventure! The pork recipe sounds delicious and I think I will add that to my rotation next time.
That one is seriously a no-fail recipe. Delicious every time and oh-so easy!
It looks like a doable plan. I like how you have different sides for the main dishes you are eating twice. I don’t do that and probably should. Great ideas!
your plan looks great. Last month I did a baking version on OAMC for breakfast foods. I can’t wait to see how it goes for you this month it just may tempt me to give this a try!
Funny you would mention breakfast foods, Amy. I’m thinking about doing this part way through the month. Mornings are pretty rushed sometimes, so having breakfast at the ready would be a huge help! What kinds of things did you make?
When you plan your fish, how are you working that? Do you just freeze your fish and cook it when you’re ready?
Great question! I’ve been thinking through that. I think I’m going to mix up the dry ingredients and then add the rest when it’s time to make the fish. The fish itself will stay frozen until right before we’re ready to eat it. Fish is usually one of the lowest-maintenance meals I make, but this month it’s going to take more time than the other items I have prepped. It’s the same recipe, but everything else will already be made. How funny! 🙂