52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Cook in Bulk {Week 44 of 52}

Welcome to my 52 Ways to Save $100 a Month series. We’re serious about saving money in 2016. Sometimes it’s the little things and sometimes it’s the big things. I’m here to walk you through some little things that can add up to BIG savings. 52 little things to be exact. Every week, join me back here for another small money saving tip or idea that might not seem like significant savings until you see the overall yearly savings. It might just blow your mind. So pop in each Tuesday and read a new tip that will help you on your way to save $100 a month!

One of the very best ways to save money {and time and sanity} when it comes to groceries, is to prepare meals in bulk. Cooking in bulk, making freezer meals and then utilizing your freezer will all help slash that monthly meal budget. The cost per serving goes way down when you buy larger quantities of ingredients and split it into several meals {that, and by dinnertime I don’t feel like cooking}. Here are some great ways to make that happen:

Double It: Even if you aren’t feeding a small army, cooking in bulk can still work on a smaller scale. Simply cook what you already have planned, but double the recipe. Secure the second batch in a freezer safe container and pop it in for a quick meal later in the month {or just refrigerate for another meal during the week}. You can also triple or quadruple recipes or casseroles. You’re already taking the time to cook and dirty your kitchen, might as well make it worth it!

Form a Group: If you want to get serious about cooking in bulk, I’d suggest forming a freezer meal group. You cook once a month or a few times a year, buy in bulk, prep in bulk and cook in bulk and split up the cost. If you do it in a group, the process goes quickly and the work is divided among everyone. I know a few freezer meal groups that have been meeting and cooking together for years! I once formed a group and made over 100 Freezer Meals in 5 Hours. It was WILD, but such a blast, too. It made cooking fun {even on a large scale like that!}.

Cook Once a Month: If you’d prefer to go at it alone but would rather cook on a larger scale, I highly suggest setting aside a day each month {or more frequently if you’d prefer} and cook in mass quantities. To do this, I stock up on all my ingredients in bulk, especially meat. I try to plan my meal prep around my Zaycon Foods pickups. Then I process and prepare my bulk chicken and my ground beef using some tasty recipes. I included all the ground beef recipes I used the last time I got bulk beef.

Recipes:

Freezer Meals – Ground Beef Pot Pie – Even though I can practically make pot pies in my sleep, we were always a chicken or turkey pot pie family. Then I gave ground beef pot pies a try and they were a huge hit with the fam, so they are now on our permanent menu. {Pin it for Later}

Ground Beef Taco Casserole Freezer Meal – We have Mexican food night at least once a week around here and we all love it. I love it even more when all I have to do is pop this dish in the oven and I’m done. {Pin for Later}

Spaghetti Casserole – I don’t think I know of a single kid that doesn’t love spaghetti casserole. I used to be afraid to freeze it because I thought it would make the spaghetti noodles taste weird. Not the case at all. Tastes just as delicious as a freezer meal! {Pin for Later}

Gourmet Spinach Blue Cheese Burgers – I love having a supply of ready-made hamburgers in the freezer, but I hate the store bought ones. So I make these in bulk and freeze away.. {Pin for Later}

Beef Enchilada Freezer Meal – I usually make 4 pans of this at once. It’s another one of my go-to recipes for our weekly Mexican food night, and I love that all the work has been done. I also love this recipe because it requires so few ingredients, and I always have them on hand. Not running to the store to pick up a missing ingredient is awesome! {Pin it for Later}

Cheesy Beef Tortilla Casserole – This casserole is all of the best of tacos, rolled into one cheesy pot. And it gives a purpose to all those little chip crumbs at the bottom of the bag. {Pin for Later}

Simple Lasagna Recipe – I make this simple lasagna recipe every single time I buy ground beef in bulk. My family never gets tired of lasagna. Throw a quick salad together and a loaf of french bread on the table, and you have the easiest complete meal!. {Pin it for Later}

Easy Freezer Meal Meatballs – I like to serve these up with baked beans, but you can use them a million different ways. All the work is done, so just choose your sauce and create away. {Pin for Later}

Freezer Meal Sweet and Sour Meatballs – Speaking of meatballs, this is hands down my favorite way to prepare those meatballs from above. The sauce is amazing and these pair perfectly with some rice to complete the meal. {Pin for later}

How Much Can You Save: Up to 40% off. This depends on how extensive you want to try bulk cooking. If I get serious about it, I can just about cut my grocery bill in half. It’s THAT awesome in terms of budget saving!