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If you read Beef Day Continues! the next blue and pink sections are repeats.  The directions after that are new so read on.

To freeze the meals, you can use freezer bags.  You can also use Tupperware containers made for freezing that allow you to pop the frozen ingredients out and directly into the baking dish.  You can also line a baking dish with heavy foil, layer the casserole and then freeze.  When frozen you turn the container over and out comes the rectangle of food.  You then re-wrap in more foil, label and put back into the freezer.  You want to put it into the baking dish the day you take it out of the freezer before it defrosts.  With this method you can continue to use the baking dish for other recipes while the prepared meal stays in the freezer.

When it actually comes to the cooking, the first task is to separate the ground meat that will be assembled fresh from the quantity that will be browned.  You will need fresh ground beef for some recipes. This article is for those recipes that take browned ground meat and onions.

3 pounds of hamburger with some chopped onions comes to about 5 cups browned mixture.

This is the How To for the Marathon Cooking Day.  The full recipes are found elsewhere and are linked here.

Any left over browned meat can be put into bags and frozen for a quick meal.  In my family we use 4-5 cups of meat mixture per recipe so I bag accordingly.  Sometimes because of budget I am not able to get all the needed ingredients at one time.  I buy the meat when on sale and cook it up and then assemble the rest as the time comes.  I have made it a policy to rarely put uncooked meat into my freezer unless it is specifically planned for something like meat loaf or hamburgers.  The exception is when I purchase a side of beef but even then I plan on major cooking days when I cook up a great deal of the meat and then freeze it.  I have two crock pots, two dutch ovens, and two big pressure cookers so anything I do can be doubled and half frozen for busy day.  With a house full of children all of my days are busy!

CHEESEBURGER ‘N’ FRIES CASSEROLE
Full Recipe

Combine 6 cups browned meat and onion mixture, 4 cans soup.  Place in 2 baking dishes and top with frozen french fries.  Top with foil and freeze.

CHILI SOUP
Full Recipe

3 cups browned meat and onion mixture.  Bag and label.

SHEPHERD’S PIE
Full Recipe

6 cups cooked ground beef
2 cups onion, diced
3 cups green beans
2 cans cream chicken soup
2 cans tomato soup
1 cup milk
1 cup cheddar cheese, grated

Combine all main ingredients and freeze.

2 packages hashed brown potatoes, frozen, label for recipe

When thawed, layer with hash brown and bake uncovered at 350 for 40 minutes.  Top with extra cheese.

BUBBLE PIZZA
Full Recipe

5 cups browned ground beef mixture,
2 cans pizza sauce (15 oz each)

Mix together and freeze

4 tubes refrigerated buttermilk biscuits (12 oz each) Label for recipe

3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Mix together, bag, label and attach to the meat mixture, freeze

Alternative: assemble the entire dish and freeze.

SPAGHETTI - The BEST!
Full Recipe

Brown the meat and onions.  Bag, label and freeze

SLOPPY JOES TWO
Full Recipe

5 cups browned ground beef and onion mixture
add
1 ½ cup ketchup
9 tablespoons barbecue sauce
3 tablespoons prepared mustard
3 tablespoon vinegar
4 ½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 ½ teaspoon celery seed
Bag, label and freeze

ENCHILADA CASSEROLE
Full Recipe

2 dozen flour tortillas, cut into quarters
3 cups grated mild cheddar cheese
3 cups grated Jack cheese
1 cup finely chopped green onions
3 cups diced chicken or browned ground beef (optional)
8 cups enchilada sauce

Lightly grease two pans.  In a bowl, combine the cheese, onion, chicken and 1 cup enchilada sauce.  Mix well.  Pour 1 cup of sauce into each prepared pan.  Spread 1/6 of the flour tortilla pieces over the sauce in each pan.  Spread ¼ of the cheese mixture over the tortillas in each pan.  Repeat again.  Top with remaining tortillas.  Pour 2 ½ cups remaining enchilada sauce over each casserole.  Freeze.

Alternative:
5 cups browned meat mixture, bag, label and freeze
Combine the cheeses, bag, attach to the meat bag and freeze.

Everything you read here is freely offered, asking only that you honor my copyright by sending my site address to others rather than copying and sending the individual articles.  You may print and use my articles provided that you give credit to me as the author and link back to this site. The articles were written in the hope that they will help mothers realize just how normal chaotic life with children really is and how priceless the journey.  The Noble Child Email List Be notified of any new postings in the topics of homeschooling, parenting, home management and just plain fun.  Converse with other mothers and keep the joyful perspective while raising children.  Many of the mothers are LDS but the list is open to mothers of all religions. Email Cherie