Crockpot Freezer Meals | Beef Stew Slow Cooker Recipe

Since I like to use my crockpot, I'm taking advantage of cooking in a crockpot by planning ahead and putting together some crockpot freezer meals such as this recipe for Freezer Crockpot Beef Stew.

Crockpot Freezer Meals

When I transferred to a new city for my full-time job, I didn't have the convenience of being able to stop by a grocery store during lunchtime to pick up a few things for that evening's dinner.  I turned to my trusty slow cooker.

Here are some terrific dump crockpot recipes to simplify and make meal prep easy during hectic times. I use my Foodsaver Vacuum Sealer to freeze ahead and dump in the morning on those busy days. 

Chicken Cacciatore is another favorite dump and go freezer meal we enjoy.

Serve with some delicious homemade Sourdough Bread recipe (it's easier to make than you think) and gut-healthy too with all of the probiotic properties.

Crockpot Beef Stew

Beef prices have risen recently because of the high cost of gas and transportation. Rather than buy sirloin tips for my stew, Shoulder London Broil  was on sale this week, so I bought several steaks and cut them up and cubed them myself at home.

Whether you're a stay at home mom, or work part-time or full-time outside the home, it's hard to get your home organized. Even if you're a grandmother, you might be thinking you have it all covered at home since your pantry is organized immaculately and everything in your kitchen has its place. It doesn't change the fact that you're still busy working all day and driving kids or grandchildren to practice, running errands or taking care of your household in the evenings. Another thing you can learn to do to simplify your life is to plan your meals and cook in advance.

Meal planning and bulk cooking are both wonderful techniques you can utilize and modify to fit your families needs. The idea behind this is simple. The principle is that you cook and or prepare your meals ahead of time and then preserve them by either freezing refrigerating them. It can also help stretch your food budget dollar further, since you can cook one large meal and get two or three other meals from it with the proper planning.


Start by writing down a list of your favorite meals and plan on preparing a grocery list that will coincide with your menu. Since you're learning to cook in bulk, your shopping list will have to change accordingly so you're sure to have enough ingredients on hand when the time comes to do the cooking.


The most important tool in meal planning and bulk cooking is your freezer. Freezer bags are a great space saver if you have a small freezer. You can fit many in the same space of a few storage containers. Be sure to incorporate lots of quick and easy meals that your family can warm up and serve themselves in the event you're not able to be at home for dinner or you just need to grab something that's quick.

You'll also learn to love your slow cooker. Experiment with different recipes and variations on your favorites. They also make easy work of cooking whole chickens or roasts which can be frozen or refrigerated for later use very easily.

Easy kitchen clean up with Handmade Dish Cloths from Moomettes Crochet !

You're only limited by your own imagination when cooking in bulk for the week ahead. Factor in the time you save by not having to do a lot of after dinner cleanup or dishes, Whether you're cooking for one, or cooking for a family, you'll be glad you took the time to simplify your life and master this important organizational skill.

Be sure to check out my recipe for Crockpot Beef Stew Louisiana Style (with molasses!)

Freezer Slow Cooker Beef Stew

3 c. chopped onions
2-1/2 c. coarsely chopped green bell peppers (about 2 peppers)
2 c. fresh green beans, diced
2 cups of baby carrots or diced carrots
4 cloves garlic, minced
2-3 lbs. beef stew meat, cut into one inch cubes, or whole and you can cut it after it's cooked
4 (6-oz.) cans tomato paste
2 Tbl. of Hungarian paprika or regular paprika
1 tsp. ground black pepper
4 c. hot cooked wide egg noodles, do not add in freezer bag, cook separately, day of cooking
1/2 c. dairy sour cream, do not add in freezer bag, use as garnish on the day of cooking

Transfer everything into two gallon freezer bags, shake it up, seal, label and put in the freezer. DO NOT add the sour cream and noodles as the sour cream is for garnishing after the meal is cooked. Cook the noodles separately according to package directions on the day of cooking.

On the day of cooking, dump bag contents into your crock pot and cook on high for 4 to 6 hours, or low 6-8 hours, depending upon your specific slow cooker.

Like my Recipes?  Buy me a Bag of Flour

© Frugal New England Kitchen 

Ham and Spaghetti Casserole | Easy Ham Casserole Recipe

Here's a family favorite easy and quick skillet supper pasta casserole recipe for a weeknight using ham steak, canned stewed tomatoes and spaghetti. It's pretty inexpensive to make, and I like to keep the canned ingredients on-hand for a hurry-up dinner .  

This is an easy way to use up leftover ham from your Holiday dinners - Easter or Christmas!

Easy Quick Night Supper

My mother-in-law was Irish and never cooked spaghetti and meat sauce. If my husband and his siblings wanted Italian pasta, they had to order it out!  This is my mother-in-law's version of pasta that we fondly refer to as "Irish Spaghetti Casserole."  It works well using either leftover ham and then use the ham bone to make pea soup!  You can also use canned ham or a ham steak in this casserole recipe.

I like to look for Smithfield Ham Steaks when they're on sale - this is such a great way to feed a crowd and watch your pennies with the cost of food today.

I have a new cast iron skillet to replace an old fry pan, and this will be perfect to cook it in for skillet dinners.

It's even easier to make if you do OAMC freezer cooking. I've been putting up quite a few make-ahead freezer mixes to simplify mealtime preparation. Here's one of the ham meal starter mixes that I put together using a freezer recipe from The Family Homestead eBook cookbook.

If there's any leftover, I often turn this into soup for lunch by adding some beef or veggie broth

Check out my other week night easy casseroles for dinner -
American Goulash Casserole
Classic Macaroni and Cheese
Polish Beef and Cabbage Casserole (Deconstructed Goumpki)
New England Shepard Pie Casserole

Easy cleanup with Handmade Kitchen Dishcloths from Moomettes Crochet Shop!

Ham and Spaghetti Casserole

1 ham steak, cut into cubes
2 cans (16 oz.) stewed tomatoes (or 1 can stewed tomatoes, 1 can regular tomato sauce)
1 large green pepper, seeded and cut into cubes
2 - 3 tbl. cooking oil
salt and pepper to taste
Italian Seasoning, to taste
parmesan cheese, to taste
1 lb. cooked spaghetti pasta

In a large sided frying pan, add oil, and saute cut up ham steak until golden brown.
Add cut peppers and saute until tender.
Add stewed tomatoes, (including the juice).
Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes.
Cook spaghetti according to package directions separately.
Drain and add to ham mixture. You may not want to add all at once so as not to use up all the juice.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Add parmesan cheese if desired.
Serve with crusty garlic bread.

Like my Recipes?  Buy me a Bag of Flour

© Frugal New England Kitchen 

Polish Beef and Cabbage Casserole | Lazy Golumpki

Our family enjoys Polish Golumpki  - also considered Stuffed Cabbage Rolls, which takes time to prepare. Here's a simple casserole recipe I used for Stuffed Cabbage and meat filling which is basically the same as the stuffed cabbage leaf recipe.

Dump and Bake Polish Casserole - Unstuffed Cabbage Casserole

I made Stuffed Cabbage Rolls for my daughter and her family and brought it over when she had her third child.  It freezes well.  You can either cook the meat filling ahead and prepare, or just mix it and use as a freezer meal.

Sometimes you just have to have Golumpki but don't have the time to pull the cabbage leaves apart and roll them.  So this is a good recipe to make if you want to bring a casserole dish to a party, buffet, or a friend.

To see how I make the authentic real deal Polish  stuffed cabbage rolls - check out my recipe here

Easy clean up with Handmade Dish Cloths from Moomettes Crochet Shop ~

Polish Beef Rice and Cabbage Casserole with Sauce -

Authentic Polish Golumpki

1 Green Cabbage, large

*Meat Filling*
2 lbs. Ground Beef (or use Meatloaf Mix from your butcher with is a combo of ground beef and ground pork)
1/2 c. Minute Rice
1 egg
1/2 c. Bread Crumbs, plain
1/2 c. water
salt, pepper to taste

*Sauce:*
2 (14 oz.) cans Tomato Sauce
2 tbl. Light Brown Sugar
1 tsp. White Vinegar
1 tsp. Lemon Juice

Shred cabbage in a food processor
Par Boil cabbage about 10 minutes, until almost soft. Drain and cool.

Prepare meat mixture (ground beef, egg, bread crumbs, water, rice, salt, pepper)

Prepare sauce (tomato sauce, brown sugar, white vinegar, lemon juice) and bring to a slight boil

Cover bottom of baking dish with sauce.  Alternate layers with meat mixture, cabbage and sauce, ending with sauce.

Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour or so until done at 350 degree oven. 

Like my Recipes?  Buy me a Bag of Flour

© Frugal New England Kitchen