submitted by Betsy West
Hi Michelle, here's my money-saving tip submission for BetterBudgeting, along with pictures!
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Freezer paper is really helpful when preparing freezer meals. I used to buy disposable foil baking pans at the dollar store, but I recently discovered it's more economical and environmentally-friendly to use this paper.
Line a baking dish with freezer paper, shiny side up. Put food on top and freeze until solid. Write description on freezer bag with baking instructions and the date you froze it. Take the food from the freezer, and remove it from the freezer paper. Put it in the freezer bag.
In some cases, you may be able to fit more than one meal in a bag. I took the two pans of stuffed shells and put both in a two-gallon bag (with two sheets of freezer paper between the layers - one shiny side down and one facing up).
When you are ready to cook the meal, take it out of the freezer bag and place into a baking dish. Heat according to the instructions.
In addition to casseroles, I've also done this with individual meals for lunches. In this case I've made pot roast in the Crock Pot. Then froze it in small dishes, lined with freezer paper. It can just be dropped back in that dish when ready to heat and eat.
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