Here’s How To Make 15 Slow-Cooker Freezer Meals In 4 Hours

If you could have dinner ready for your family for the next three weeks by spending just one afternoon in the kitchen, would you do it? Duh, we already know the answer to that.

Well, fortunately, the culinary wizards over at StockpilingMoms.com have revealed their genius strategy for prepping 20 slow-cooker freezer meals in four (FOUR!) hours.

You need a slow cooker and freezer bags, of course. And StockpilingMoms has already compiled the rest of the shopping list for us! So just take a look in your pantry to check whether you already have some of the staples, like olive oil, paprika and dried basil.

Cross off those items and then head to your favorite grocery store to buy the rest.

Stephanie from StockpilingMoms was able to purchase all of her ingredients for $157. That’s $7.85 per meal—for the entire family!

Once you’ve got all of your supplies, it’s time to start slicing and dicing. And that’s where all of the time saving comes in: If you’re chopping an onion or cubing chicken for one meal, it doesn’t take much longer to just go ahead and do it for several of them. Brilliant, right?

Then you put the ingredients for each meal in a freezer bag, seal it and pop it in the freezer. When you’re ready to cook one of the dinners, dump the contents of that bag into the slow cooker and press start. It doesn’t get any easier than that!

Your family will be eating well for the next three weeks. The StockpilingMoms meal plan includes comfort food like beef stroganoff and lasagna as well as lighter fare such as Chinese beef and broccoli and turkey stuffed peppers.

Get StockpilingMoms’s complete 20-meal plan here.

Feeling inspired to jump on the slow-cooker freezer meal bandwagon? We know we are! So, we’ve gathered up 20 slow-cooker recipes you can prepare in advance and store in the freezer until you’re ready to cook.

Enjoy your newfound free time in the evenings!

1. Honey Mustard Pork Chops & Potatoes

Sauces, spices, meat and potatoes. Now, that’s a wholesome meal. It’s just one of the many recipes brought to you by the thrifty cooking genius, Ertel. Get the recipe.

2. Loaded Baked Potato Soup

This goes from the freezer to the crock pot and cooks for six to eight hours. So, you can put this in the slow cooker, go to work and, when you get home, you’ll have piping hot soup ready for you! Get the recipe.

3. Chicken Fajitas

Chicken, peppers, onions, garlic and a few other spices are needed to bring this tasty fajita dish to life. Throw the ingredients in the slow cooker and, when it’s time to eat, all you need to add are some warm tortillas and maybe a dollop of sour cream! Get the recipe.

4. Beef Stew

Beef roast and tons of fresh veggies are packed into this meal. Add beef broth to the freezer bag contents, cook for eight hours and eat up! Get the recipe.

5. Tomato Basil Chicken With Baby Spinach

Baby spinach, tomato sauce and balsamic vinegar combine to create the easiest Italian dinner you’ll ever make! Get the recipe.

6. Maple Bacon Pork Loin

You can’t go wrong with a pork loin that’s wrapped in bacon and smothered in maple syrup and brown sugar. Get the recipe.

7. Sweet Fire Chicken

This dish is both sweet and spicy, which is the perfect combo if you ask us. Pineapples and red pepper flakes mix with sweet red chili sauce and bell peppers to form the perfect thing to eat atop a bed of rice. Get the recipe.

8. Cheesy Enchilada Quinoa

This cheesy enchilada quinoa calls for ground turkey and plenty of frozen veggies, making it a slightly healthier version of the classic burrito bowl. Get the recipe.

9. Red Beans & Rice

Talk about comfort food! If you’re looking for a homemade southern-inspired meal that requires little to no work, this is what you need to have for dinner. Get the recipe.

RELATED: 10 Meals (Under 375 Calories Each) That Can Be Made In A Slow Cooker

10. Sweet Garlic Chicken

This Asian-inspired chicken dish can be served with noodles, rice or even mashed potatoes. With a meal that versatile, you shouldn’t even mind having leftovers! Get the recipe.

11. Taco Chili

Feel free to eat this chili on its own, with rice or on top of lettuce or chips. Now you’ve got your next “Taco Tuesday” dinner nailed down! Get the recipe.

12. Pepper Steak

The veggies and steak in this dish can go straight from the freezer and into the slow cooker. Once cooked, pair with rice, baked potatoes or whatever side you like. Get the recipe.

13. Chickpea & Potato Curry

All you’ll need is some fresh naan to complete this spicy vegetarian entree. Get the recipe.

14. French Dip Sandwiches

Add some beef to the slow cooker and let it simmer. Once it’s tender, shred and serve on top of bread with Swiss cheese. This makes a great lunch or dinner. Get the recipe.

RELATED: 10 Of Our Favorite Freezer To Crock-Pot Recipes For Easy Make-Ahead Meals

15. Boneless BBQ Ribs

Marinate the pork in applesauce, brown sugar and BBQ sauce for an entree that’s begging to be eaten with some homemade mac ‘n cheese. Mmm. Mmm. Get the recipe.