LAUREN GREUTMAN 20 SLOW COOKER DUMP MEALS #2 for $150 at ALDI
20 SLOW COOKER MEALS FOR $150 AT ALDI by Lauren Greutman From iamthatlady.com Please note that the prices contained in this guide were current as of September 15, 2015 in Central New York ALDI locations. Prices at other locations and at different times will vary. Additionally, meats are sold by weight, and although this guide assumes reasonably sized packages, your local store may not carry that specific weight. As such, I cannot guarantee that your grocery shopping trip will cost less than $150; it might be less, it might be more. I am not responsible for the outcome of any recipe you try from this. I ve made each recipe personally and find them quite good, but you may not. You may not always achieve the results desired due to variations in ingredients, cooking temperatures, typos, omissions, or individual cooking abilities. Please always use your best judgment when cooking with raw ingredients such as eggs, beef, chicken or fish. No part of this publication shall be reproduced, transmitted, or sold in whole or in part in any form, without the prior written consent of the author. All trademarks, registered trademarks and images of appearing in this guide are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved. This guide or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Copyright 2015 THAT Lady Media, LLC. 3 IAMTHATLADY.COM
The Slow Cooker. It has become my best friend. And you won t believe just what it can accomplish until you make the meals in this meal plan. These meals are straight up comfort food. It is truly my favorite collection of slow cooker recipes on the planet. And it s SO EASY to prepare. The preparation instructions use my proven new technique designed to make preparation as fast as possible. Instead of doing each recipe one at a time, you will use each ingredient one at a time. This means that you will only handle each ingredient once. I did this by myself, with NO help from Mark and I was completely done in about 2.5 hours. I know you can do it too! Here is what is included in this printable pack: 1. Printable Shopping Lists This shopping list has the specifics of what you will need to purchase at ALDI. It lists the section of the store you can find the items and a box to check off each item. This should make your shopping trip as quick and easy as possible (even with kids along). 2. Pantry List ALDI does not sell everything, but they do sell most things. We took a look through our pantry and made a list of all the things most people have in their pantry that way they don t have to buy it again. ALDI sells inexpensive spices, so if you don t have all of the spices and other items listed you can usually find them at ALDI for an additional cost. 3. Detailed Preparation Instructions Freezer cooking works best when you can devote one afternoon or evening to prepare almost a month s worth of meals. We ve gone through and figured out the best way to get it all done ahead of time so just follow our instructions and you will be all set! I would set aside 2 hours of prep time for this plan. 4. Blank Calendar Since these meals will be frozen, feel free to enjoy them in any order you please. You can use the calendar if you wish to create your own plan. 5. Recipe cards for all recipes All of the recipes are organized and numbered; that way you don t have to flip back and forth between recipes. Make sure you check out our other ALDI meal plans over at iamthatlady.com and as always you can email me any questions that you have at lauren@iamthatlady.com. Have a great day! Lauren Greutman (aka THAT Lady ) 4 IAMTHATLADY.COM
ALDI SHOPPING LIST Quantity Product Price Area q 1 Burmann's BBQ Sauce $0.99 each Aisle 1 q 2 *Jiffy Corn Bread Mix, 1 box $0.47 each Aisle 1 q 1 Tuscan Garden Artichoke Hearts in Water, 12 oz jar $2.69 each Aisle 1 q 1 Happy Farms Cheddar Cheese, 8 oz $1.79 each Dairy q 1 Milk, Gallon Whole or 2% $1.95 each Dairy q 1 Happy Farms Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, 16 oz $3.49 each Dairy q 1 Friendly Farms Sour Cream, 1 lb $1.29 each Dairy q 1 Garlic, jarred 7 oz $1.99 each Aisle 2 q 1 Apples, 3 lb bag $2.99 each Produce q 1 Carrots (bag of whole carrots) $1.39 each Produce q 2 Celery (bag of whole stalks) $1.39 each Produce q 1 Multi-Colored Peppers, 3 pk $3.69 each Produce q 2 Onions, bag of 7-8 $1.99 each Produce q 1 Russet Potatoes, 10 lb bag $3.69 each Produce q 1 Baby Kale, 5 oz pkg $2.49 each Refrigerated q 1 Cream Cheese, 8 oz $0.99 each Refrigerated q 1 Little Salad Bar Fresh Spinach $1.69 each Refrigerated q 3 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast, fresh 2.5 lb pkg $6.98 each Meat q 1 Chicken Drumsticks, 2.5 lb pkage $2.98 each Meat q 2 Chicken Thighs, 4 lb pkage $4.76 each Meat q 2 Chuck Roast, 2 lb each $9.98 each Meat q 2 Ground Beef 80% Lean, 1.00 lb pkage $3.99 each Meat q 1 Ground Beef 90% Lean, 2.25 lb pkage $11.98 each Meat q 1 Italian Sausage Patties, 1 lb $3.49 each Meat q 1 Pork Loin, 4 lb each $9.96 each Meat q 2 Italian Turkey Sausage links, 1 lb pkg $3.49 each Meat q 3 Happy Harvest Crushed Tomatoes, 28 oz $0.95 each Aisle 3 q 1 Dakota Pride Kidney Beans, 15 oz $0.59 each Aisle 3 q 1 Happy Harvest Tomato Paste, 6 oz $0.39 each Aisle 3 q 4 Happy Harvest Tomato Sauce, 8 oz $0.25 each Aisle 3 q 1 White Rice, 5 lb $2.69 each Aisle 3 q 1 Season's Choice Frozen Corn, 16 oz $0.89 each Frozen q 1 Orange Juice Concentrate, 12 oz frozen $0.79 each Frozen q 2 *Reggano Pasta - any type, 1 lb $0.99 each Aisle 4 q 1 *Chef's Cupboard Bread Crumbs, 15 oz $0.89 each Aisle 4 q 1 *Reggano Egg Noodles, 1 lb $1.25 each Aisle 4 q 1 Reggano Parmesan Cheese, 8 oz $2.49 each Aisle 4 q 1 *Reggano Spaghetti, 2 lb $1.59 each Aisle 4 q 3 *Specially Selected Italian Bread, 16 oz $1.69 each Bread * Denotes item containing gluten. Substitute if on a gluten free diet. 5 IAMTHATLADY.COM
GENERAL SHOPPING LIST (FOR THOSE WITHOUT A NEARBY ALDI) Quantity Product q 1 BBQ Sauce, 16 oz q 2 *Corn Bread Mix, 1 box q 1 Artichoke Hearts in Water, 12 oz jar q 1 Cheddar Cheese, 8 oz q 1 Milk, Gallon Whole or 2% q 1 Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, 16 oz q 1 Sour Cream, 1 lb q 1 Garlic, jarred 7 oz q 1 Apples, 3 lb bag q 1 Carrots (bag of whole carrots) q 2 Celery (bag of whole stalks) q 1 Multi-Colored Peppers, 3 pk q 2 Onions, bag of 7-8 q 1 Russet Potatoes, 10 lb bag q 1 Baby Kale, 5 oz pkg q 1 Cream Cheese, 8 oz q 1 Fresh Spinach, 5-8 oz q 3 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast, fresh 2.5 lb pkg q 1 Chicken Drumsticks, 2.5 lb pkage q 2 Chicken Thighs, 4 lb pkage q 2 Chuck Roast, 2 lb each q 2 Ground Beef 80% Lean, 1.00 lb pkage q 1 Ground Beef 90% Lean, 2.25 lb pkage q 1 Italian Sausage Patties, 1 lb q 1 Pork Loin, 4 lb each q 2 Italian Turkey Sausage links, 1 lb pkg q 3 Crushed Tomatoes, 28 oz q 1 Kidney Beans, 15 oz can q 1 Tomato Paste, 6 oz can q 4 Tomato Sauce, 8 oz can q 1 White Rice, 5 lb q 1 Frozen Corn, 16 oz q 1 Orange Juice Concentrate, 12 oz frozen q 2 *Pasta - any type, 1 lb q 1 *Bread Crumbs, 15 oz q 1 *Egg Noodles, 1 lb q 1 Parmesan Cheese, 8 oz q 1 *Spaghetti, 2 lb q 3 *Italian Bread Loaf, 16 oz * Denotes item containing gluten. Substitute if on a gluten free diet. 6 IAMTHATLADY.COM
PANTRY ITEMS There are ingredients in the recipes not included in the shopping list because they are probably in your kitchen s pantry but you might not have all of them. If you are missing any of these items, your cost at the store will be slightly higher. So before you head out to the grocery store take a look at your pantry to make sure that you have the following: Spices: Basil Black Pepper Bouillon Cubes (beef) Bouillon Cubes (chicken) Chili Powder Cinnamon Cilantro Cocoa Powder Cumin Oregano Dried Parsley Salt Thyme Total Amount needed: 2 Tbsp 4 Tbsp 4 cubes 8 cubes 8 1 2 tbsp (or 2 Tbsp fresh) 2 1 Tbsp 8 2 8 Tbsp 3 Tbsp Other ingredients: All-purpose Flour Butter Eggs Lime Juice (or Lemon Juice) Maple Syrup Red Wine Vinegar Water Worcestershire Sauce Total Amount needed: 4 Tbsp One stick (8 Tbsp) 4 eggs 2 Tbsp 1 cup 4 20 cups 1 Make sure to also buy: Gallon-size freezer bags (you will need 20) Meal Sizes This meal plan is designed for a family of 4. If your family is larger, smaller or you have big eaters, small eaters, you may need to adjust your shopping list accordningly. Tip - if you do need to increase the size of the meals, you can buy slightly larger portions of meat without having to change the other ingredients. For example, instead of buying 2 lb chuck roasts, you could buy 3 lb chuck roasts. 7 IAMTHATLADY.COM
TASKS & INSTRUCTIONS You will not be using every single item you bought to prepare the meals. The list below details the items that you will not be using in preparation, and which of those items need to be frozen. Item: Corn Bread Mix Kidney Beans Rice Pasta Egg Noodles One 8 oz can of tomato sauce Shredded Mozzarella Cheese Italian Bread Corn Where to store: Pantry or Cupboard Pantry or Cupboard Pantry or Cupboard Pantry or Cupboard Pantry or Cupboard Pantry or Cupboard Refrigerator Freezer Freezer 8 IAMTHATLADY.COM
TASKS & INSTRUCTIONS On the next several pages, there are a few tables designed to make prep as easy as possible. This meal plan makes use of a new technique - make it so that you only touch each ingredient once. You will start by labeling 20 freezer bags as follows: Label 2 bags: 1: BBQ Roadhouse Pot Roast Label 2 bags: 2: Creamy Chicken Stew Label 2 bags: 3: Apple Cinnamon Pork Loin Label 2 bags: 4: Chicken Parmesan Label 2 bags: 5: BBQ Meatloaf, but use mixing bowls to combine ingredients first. Label 2 bags: 6: Carribean Citrus Chicken Label 2 bags: 7: Chili Label 2 bags: 8: Spinach and Artichoke Chicken Label 2 bags: 9: Chicken Noodle Soup Label 2 bags: 10: Sausage and Kale Soup Fill each bag (with the exception of the meatloaf) with ingredients using the tables on the next 4 pages as follows: 9 IAMTHATLADY.COM
TASKS & INSTRUCTIONS - TABLE 1 (AMOUNTS IN THE TABLE BELOW ARE TO BE ADDED TO EACH BAG*. I.E. YOU WILL NEED TO ADD THE AMOUNT TWICE) *THE BBQ MEATLOAF WILL BE ASSEMBLED IN 2 MIXING BOWLS Veggies Artichoke Apples hearts Bell Pepper Carrots Celery Garlic Kale Onion Potatoes Spinach Initial Steps Bags 1 BBQ Roadhouse Pot Roast Core, peel and slice 4 apples Open can, rinse and chop Chop 2 peppers chopped Chop 3 cups Chop 8-10 stalks Open jar of minced garlic 3/4 cup 2 Open package Slice 2 onions into strips, chop 7 onions cup chopped Halve and slice 4 potatoes, cube 4 potatoes Bags 2 Creamy Chicken Stew 1 cup 1/3 cup 1 sliced 2 cubed Bags 3 Apple Cinnamon Pork Loin 2 apples sliced Bags 4 Chicken Parmesan 2 *Mixing Bowls BBQ Meatloaf chopped 2 cup chopped Bags 6 Carribean Citrus Chicken 2 cup chopped Bags 7 Chili 1 cup chopped Bags 8 Spinach and Artichoke Chicken jar cup chopped package Bags 9 Chicken Noodle Soup cup 3/4 cup 1 cup chopped Bags 10 Sausage and Kale Soup package 1 cup chopped 2 sliced 10 IAMTHATLADY.COM
TASKS & INSTRUCTIONS - TABLE 2 (AMOUNTS IN THE TABLE BELOW ARE TO BE ADDED TO EACH BAG*. I.E. YOU WILL NEED TO ADD THE AMOUNT TWICE) *THE BBQ MEATLOAF WILL BE ASSEMBLED IN 2 MIXING BOWLS Basil Black Pepper Bouillon Cubes (beef) Bouillon Cubes (chicken) Chili Powder Cinnamon Cilantro Cocoa Powder Cumin Oregano Dried Parsley Salt Thyme Spices Bags 1 BBQ Roadhouse Pot Roast 1 2 cubes 1 Bags 2 Creamy Chicken Stew 1 1 Bags 3 Apple Cinnamon Pork Loin 1 Bags 4 Chicken Parmesan 1 Tbsp *Mixing Bowls BBQ Meatloaf 1 1 1 Bags 6 Carribean Citrus Chicken 1 1 Tbsp fresh, or 1 dried 1 1 Bags 7 Chili 1 Tbsp 1/4 1 1 Bags 8 Spinach and Artichoke Chicken Bags 9 Chicken Noodle Soup 2 cubes 1 4 Bags 10 Sausage and Kale Soup 2 cubes 1 Tbsp 1 11 IAMTHATLADY.COM
TASKS & INSTRUCTIONS - TABLE 3 (AMOUNTS IN THE TABLE BELOW ARE TO BE ADDED TO EACH BAG*. I.E. YOU WILL NEED TO ADD THE AMOUNT TWICE) *THE BBQ MEATLOAF WILL BE ASSEMBLED IN 2 MIXING BOWLS Breadcrumbs Misc. Butter Cheddar Cheese (shredded) Cream Cheese Eggs Orange Juice Concentrate Parmesan Cheese Sour Cream Initial Steps Shred half of the brick, refrigerate the rest. Slightly beat 4 eggs and divide evenly. Bags 1 BBQ Roadhouse Pot Roast Bags 2 Creamy Chicken Stew Bags 3 Apple Cinnamon Pork Loin Bags 4 *Mixing Bowls Bags 6 Chicken Parmesan BBQ Meatloaf cup 2 eggs Carribean Citrus Chicken 3 Tbsp Bags 7 Chili Bags 8 Spinach and Artichoke Chicken 2 Tbsp cup brick cup cup Bags 9 Chicken Noodle Soup Bags 10 Sausage and Kale Soup 12 IAMTHATLADY.COM
Meat Chuck Roast, 2 lb each Initial Steps Bags 1 Bags 2 Bags 3 Bags 4 *Mixing Bowls Bags 6 Bags 7 Chili Bags 8 Bags 9 Bags 10 TASKS & INSTRUCTIONS - TABLE 4 (AMOUNTS IN THE TABLE BELOW ARE TO BE ADDED TO EACH BAG*. I.E. YOU WILL NEED TO ADD THE AMOUNT TWICE) *THE BBQ MEATLOAF WILL BE ASSEMBLED IN 2 MIXING BOWLS BBQ Roadhouse Pot Roast Creamy Chicken Stew Apple Cinnamon Pork Loin Chicken Parmesan 1 package Chicken Breast, 2.5 lb pkg See below* Half of 1 package, cubed Half of 1 package, sliced Chicken Drumsticks, 2.5 lb pkg Remove Skin Chicken Thighs, 4 lb pkg Remove Skin Pork Loin, 4 lb each Half of 1 package Ground Beef 90% Lean, 2.25 lbs pkg Ground Beef 80% Lean, 1 lb pkg BBQ Meatloaf 1 package Carribean Citrus Chicken Spinach and Artichoke Chicken Chicken Noodle Soup Sausage and Kale Soup Half of 1 package, cubed Half of 1 package Half of 1 package Half of 1 package Half of 1 package Italian Sausage Patties, 1 lb pkg Half of 1 package Italian Turkey Sausage Links, 1 lb pkg Remove from casing 1 package *Prep for Chicken Breast - Trim and cube 2 packages. - Trim, butterfly (cutting horizontally in half) and gently pound 1 package. Cut largest 2 halves in half again. You should end up with a total of 8 pieces of chicken breast. See iamthatlady.com/crockpot-chicken-parmesan for more details (with pictures). 13 IAMTHATLADY.COM
TASKS & INSTRUCTIONS - TABLE 5 (AMOUNTS IN THE TABLE BELOW ARE TO BE ADDED TO EACH BAG*. I.E. YOU WILL NEED TO ADD THE AMOUNT TWICE) *THE BBQ MEATLOAF WILL BE ASSEMBLED IN 2 MIXING BOWLS BBQ Sauce Crushed Tomatoes, 28 oz can Lime Juice (or Lemon Juice) Maple Syrup Red Wine Vinegar Tomato Paste, 6 oz can Tomato Sauce, 8 oz can Liquids Water Worcestershire Sauce Bags 1 BBQ Roadhouse Pot Roast cup can cup Bags 2 Creamy Chicken Stew 1 cup Bags 3 Apple Cinnamon Pork Loin cup Bags 4 Chicken Parmesan 1 can can 1 can *Mixing Bowls BBQ Meatloaf 1/4 cup 1/4 cup Bags 6 Carribean Citrus Chicken 1 Tbsp cup Bags 7 Chili can 2 1 cups Bags 8 Spinach and Artichoke Chicken Bags 9 Chicken Noodle Soup 5 cups Bags 10 Sausage and Kale Soup 2 cups BBQ Meatloaf Using your hands, thouroughly mix together the ingredients in the mixing bowls. Shape into loafs and then place into bags 5. 14 IAMTHATLADY.COM
CALENDAR 15 IAMTHATLADY.COM
RECIPE 1 ROADHOUSE POT ROAST (SINGLE RECIPE, DO THIS TWICE) ALDI INGREDIENTS 2 lb chuck roast cup onion, chopped bell pepper (any color), chopped 3/4 cup celery, chopped 2 large potatoes, chopped into chunks (optional) 2 (or 2 cloves) minced garlic cup tomato sauce cup BBQ sauce PANTRY INGREDIENTS 2 beef bouillon cubes 1 salt 1 black pepper dried thyme cup water PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Place all ingredients (potatoes are optional) in a freezer bag. 2. Zip the bags closed and freeze. TO COOK: 1. Thaw in the refrigerator the night before or the morning you plan to cook. 2. Place contents of bag in the bottom of the slow cooker. 3. Cook on low for 8 hours. Serve with mashed potatoes (if potatoes were not placed in the slow cooker). 16 IAMTHATLADY.COM
RECIPE 2 CREAMY CHICKEN STEW (SINGLE RECIPE, DO THIS TWICE) ALDI INGREDIENTS 1.25 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast, chopped into chunks 1 cup baby carrots, chopped 1/3 cup celery, chopped 2 medium sized potatoes, chopped into chunks cup onion, sliced 1 (or 1 clove) minced garlic PANTRY INGREDIENTS 1 salt black pepper 1 dried parsley 1 cup water 2 Tbsp butter 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour cup milk (2% or whole preferably) PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Combine chicken, vegetables, potatoes, spices and water in a gallon-sized freezer bag. 2. Zip the bags closed and freeze. TO COOK: 1. Thaw in the refrigerator the night before or the morning you plan to cook. 2. Cook on high for 4 hours (or low for 8, medium for 6). 3. In a small sauce pan, melt butter over medium heat. 4. Add flour and whisk constantly for about 5 minutes, or until it turns a deep brown color. 5. Add milk and whisk until thick and bubbly. 6. Add the thickened sauce to the slow cooker and mix in well until sauce is blended. Sever with Italian bread (use half the loaf for each meal). 17 IAMTHATLADY.COM
RECIPE 3 APPLE CINNAMON PORK LOIN (SINGLE RECIPE, DO THIS TWICE) ALDI INGREDIENTS 2 lbs. pork loin 2 apples, peeled and sliced cup onion, sliced PANTRY INGREDIENTS 1 salt black pepper ground cinnamon cup maple syrup INSTRUCTIONS: 1. (optional) Cut several slits into pork loin. 2. (optional) Stuff with some of the apple slices. 3. Place pork into a gallon-sized freezer bag. 4. Add all other ingredients on top. 5. Zip the bags closed and freeze. TO COOK: 1. Thaw in the refrigerator the night before or the morning you plan to cook. 2. Place contents of bag in the bottom of the slow cooker. 3. Cook on medium for 6 hours (or low for 8). Serve with mashed potatoes. 18 IAMTHATLADY.COM
RECIPE 4 CHICKEN PARMESAN (SINGLE RECIPE - DO THIS TWICE) ALDI INGREDIENTS 1 chicken breasts 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce 3 oz tomato paste 2 (or 2 cloves) minced garlic 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese cup breadcrumbs PANTRY INGREDIENTS salt, plus a couple pinches black pepper, plus a couple pinches 1 Tbsp basil 1 Tbsp olive oil INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Slice chicken breasts in half lengthwise and place in a gallon-sized freezer bag. 2. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, salt, pepper, basil, and garlic to the freezer bag and mix well. 3. Zip the bags closed and freeze. TO COOK: 1. Thaw in the refrigerator the night before or the morning you plan to cook. 2. Place contents in the slow cooker. Move the chicken to the top of the sauce and sprinkle with salt a pepper. 3. Cook on high for 4 hours. 4. Remove chicken from slow cooker and stir sauce. Place the chicken back on top of the sauce and top with the cheese. 5. In a small pan, heat the oil over medium heat for a minute. 6. Add the breadcrumbs with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook the breadcrumbs, stirring often for about 5 minutes. 7. To serve, scoop out a piece of chicken with some sauce underneath and place over pasta. Top with a big scoop of the crispy breadcrumbs. Serve over pasta. 19 IAMTHATLADY.COM
RECIPE 5 BBQ MEATLOAF (SINGLE RECIPE, DO THIS TWICE) ALDI INGREDIENTS 1 lb ground beef lb pork italian sausage, loose or removed from casing cup onion, finely chopped bell pepper of any color, finely chopped cup breadcrumbs 2 eggs 2 (or 2 cloves) minced garlic cup BBQ sauce, divided cup canned tomato sauce, divided PANTRY INGREDIENTS 1 salt 1 black pepper 1 chili powder cumin PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Mix BBQ sauce and tomato sauce in a small bowl. 2. Combine all ingredients and half of the sauce mixture in a large bowl and mix well. 3. Refrigerate the remaining sauce. 4. Shape into a loaf, zip the bags closed and freeze. TO COOK: 1. Thaw in refrigerator the day before you plan to cook. 2. In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup BBQ sauce and 1/4 cup tomato sauce. 3. Place in the bottom of the slowcooker and top with sauce mixture. 4. Cook on high for 4 hours. 5. Take out of slow cooker and let rest on a cookie sheet or cutting board for a few minutes. Slice and serve with mashed potatoes and corn (using half of the bag). 20 IAMTHATLADY.COM
RECIPE 6 CARRIBEAN CITRUS CHICKEN (SINGLE RECIPE, DO THIS TWICE) ALDI INGREDIENTS 3-4 lbs chicken legs and thighs, skin removed 3 Tbsp orange juice concentrate 1 Tbsp lime juice (or lemon juice) 2 (or 2 cloves) minced garlic cup onion, sliced PANTRY INGREDIENTS 1 salt 1 black pepper cumin 1 oregano 1 dried cilantro (or 1 Tbsp fresh cilantro) INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Combine all ingredients in a freezer bag. 2. Zip the bags closed and freeze. TO COOK: 1. Thaw in refrigerator the night before or the morning you plan to cook. 2. Place in slow cooker and cook for 4 hours on high, 6 hours on medium, or 8 hours on low. Serve over rice. 21 IAMTHATLADY.COM
RECIPE 7 CHILI (SINGLE RECIPE, DO THIS TWICE) ALDI INGREDIENTS 1 lb lean ground beef can of red kidney beans, rinsed (15 oz) can crushed tomatoes (28 oz) cup onion, chopped 1 (or 1 clove) minced garlic PANTRY INGREDIENTS 1 Tbsp chili powder 1 salt black pepper ground cumin 1/4 cinnamon 1/4 cayenne pepper (optional - depends on how spicy you want it) 2 red wine vinegar worcestershire sauce 1 chocolate chips or cocoa powder 1 cups water INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Add all ingredients, except the beans, to a freezer bag. 2. Zip the bag closed and freeze. TO COOK: 1. Thaw in refrigerator the night before or the morning you plan to cook. 2. Place in slow cooker and cook for 4 hours on high, 6 hours on medium, or 8 hours on low. Cook on low for 8-10 hours. 3. Add kidney beans and cook for another 20 minutes or so. Serve with cornbread. 22 IAMTHATLADY.COM
RECIPE 8 SPINACH & ARTICHOKE CHICKEN (SINGLE RECIPE, DO THIS TWICE) ALDI INGREDIENTS 1.25 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into chunks cup onion, chopped package jar of artichoke hearts, rinsed and chopped 4 oz cream cheese 4 oz sour cream 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided cup parmesan cheese 2 Tbsp butter PANTRY INGREDIENTS salt INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Place all ingredients in a gallon-sized freezer bag except cup of the shredded cheese. 2. Zip the bags closed and freeze. TO COOK: 1. Thaw in refrigerator the day before of the morning you plan to cook. 2. Cook in a slow cooker on high for 4-6 hours. 3. Add remaining cheese on top and put lid back on for another 5 minutes, until the cheese melts Serve over pasta. 23 IAMTHATLADY.COM
RECIPE 9 CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP (SINGLE RECIPE, DO THIS TWICE) ALDI INGREDIENTS 4 skinless bone-in chicken thighs onion, chopped cup carrots, chopped 3/4 cup celery, chopped 1 (or 1 cloves) minced garlic 3 cups uncooked egg noodles PANTRY INGREDIENTS 1 salt 4 dried thyme black pepper 2 chicken bouillon cubes 5 cups of water INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Combine all ingredients, except the egg noodles, in a freezer bag. 2. Zip the bags closed and freeze. TO COOK: 3. Take out of freezer the day before you plan to cook and thaw in the refrigerator. 4. After it thaws, cook on high for 4 hours (or medium for 6, or low for 8) 5. Remove chicken from the slow cooker and remove the meat from the bones. 6. Place meat back into slow cooker and turn it off. 7. Boil some water and cook the noodles as directed on the package. 8. Drain and pour the noodles into the slow cooker. 9. Serve immediately. Serve with Italian bread (use half the loaf for each meal). 24 IAMTHATLADY.COM
RECIPE 10 SAUSAGE & KALE SOUP (SINGLE RECIPE, DO THIS TWICE) ALDI INGREDIENTS 1 lb. of ground turkey sausage 2-3 russet potatoes, halved lengthwise and sliced thin A bunch of regular kale or baby kale (rinsed) 1 cup onion, chopped PANTRY INGREDIENTS 2 cups water 2 chicken bouillon cubes 4 cups of whole milk 1 Tbsp oregano A pinch of red pepper flakes (optional) 1 salt black pepper INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Add all ingredients excpet the milk to a freezer bag. 2. Zip the bags closed and freeze. TO COOK: 1. Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker. 2. Add milk. 3. Cook on high for 4-6 hours. 4. Remove sausage from the soup. 5. Chop or mash into smaller pieces. (Tip - use a standing mixer with the flat beater) 6. Put the sausage back in the soup and serve. Serve with Italian bread (use half the loaf for each meal). 25 IAMTHATLADY.COM
NOTES 26 IAMTHATLADY.COM
NOTES 27 IAMTHATLADY.COM