Freezer Cleanout Week

Every once in a while I put a hold on the grocery budget (except for purchasing fresh produce), and do a freezer and pantry cleanout week. I like to clean things out pretty frequently to ensure I don't lose anything (hello twice baked potatoes from 2009!), and free up space to stock up on more when I see great deals. This time I seemed to have a lot of Italian food in the freezer. Not complaining though! Here's our menu for the week:

Sunday:Minestrone Soup and Garlic Bread
-This is our favorite soup to make, freeze, and eat. I make a ton in the summer with fresh veggies so we have some on hand all winter long.

Monday: Pasta and Meat Sauce, Green Beans, Garlic Bread
-When I make meatballs I like to freeze them in increments of 6. Last time I had 2 meatballs leftover, so I chopped them up, added them to marinara, and made meat sauce. See my 10 ideas for leftover meatballs here.

Tuesday: Breakfast Burritos, Fruit Salad
-I have a pack of bacon and some eggs that expire soon...as well as some bell peppers from the garden that are starting to get soft. I scramble up some eggs, cook up the bacon, saute bell peppers, and stuff in a tortilla with cheese, salsa, and sour cream.

Wednesday: Baked Salmon, Quinoa Pilaf, Steamed Broccoli
-I purchase the big bags of frozen salmon from Costco, as well as their frozen veggies. (Organic veggies fresh frozen for a great price.) I'm due to use the last of the frozen salmon with this meal.

Thursday: Hawaiian Chicken, Grilled Pineapple, Herbed Rice, Green Beans
-Lots of chicken in the freezer...and using one of my favorite canned items: pineapple.

Friday: Stuffed Shells, Green Beans
-I told you there was a lot of Italian food in the freezer! Stuffed shells are kind of a pain to make, so I always make a huge batch so I won't have to make them again for a while.

Saturday: We usually eat out on Saturdays for a late lunch, so Saturday nights are typically leftovers, or something simple like fruit and sandwiches.

Browse all my Family Favorite Recipes Here

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