Hello! Hello! It was my birthday last week and my family got me an Instant Pot. I am super excited and can’t wait to get started with it. I wonder how long it will sit in the box though? I am also a little intimated by it and would love any recipes or tips you may have to share!
It is Week 5 of the Stock Your Freezer the Easy Way Challenge. I honestly can’t believe there are only two more weeks left and that the holidays are just around the corner. This week I’ll be freezing two dinners, Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup and Southwest Beef and Pasta Skillet. I’ve made both of these before and thought they turned out great. The kids are big fans of black beans. When I made the skillet recipe a few months ago, we were able to eat it for a couple of nights and then I froze the remainder in a couple of individual containers. My husband said they were great for his lunches! I’ll try to that again with this batch.
This weekend I made a big batch of mini donuts for the freezer. Remember our favorites from Trader Joe’s? We used the Pumpkin Pancake Mix in the Mini Donut Maker. I prepared the mix using the instructions for the entire box. I was able to fill up a gallon size freezer bag of mini donuts. These will be awesome to have on hand for the kids during the week.
We have a busy weekend planned so Friday we’ll probably just grab something out or have something pretty quick. Here is what we have planned for the remainder of the week though:
- Sunday – Rotisserie Chicken served with Roasted Potatoes, Sauteed Mushrooms, and Green Beans
- Monday – Southwest Beef and Pasta Skillet served with Green Peas (Freeze Leftovers)
- Tuesday – One Pot Pasta served with Salad
- Wednesday – Leftover Night
- Thursday – Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup and Pizzadillas (Freeze Leftovers)
- Friday – Dinner Out
- Saturday – Grilled Chicken served with Baked Potatoes and Green Beans
I’m looking forward to trying the One Pot Pasta Dish. I had actually pinned it to my What’s For Dinner Pinterest Board a while ago since I thought it looked yummy and easy! It looks like a nice change from our usual Marinara Pasta.
I hope you are enjoying this series and will join us next week! I will definitely be doing this again sometime early next year since I feel that I have gotten quite a bit out of it.
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I have made the Budget Bytes version of that one pot pasta before and it is delicious! Hope you have a great day!
That is great to know! I hope mine turns out delicious! ?
Are you just loving your insta pot? I’m thinking of asking for one for Christmas! Also, I love that Trader Joe’s pancake mix. I never would have thought to make donuts out of it!
Can you believe it is still sitting in the box?! I am hoping to get it out this week and at least read the instructions!
wait so the donuts arent from the instant pot? I dont have one, but I have seen that mix at trader joes, those donuts look awesome! I made some one pot pastas last year, they were pretty good. I like the ease!
No, I haven’t used the Instant Pot yet! The donuts are awesome and so easy to make!
Now I’m feeling inspired to make donuts! And I’d love to hear how you like your Insta-pot. I’m a little intimidated by it too. Not sure I’m ready for it.
I’ll definitely do an update on the Instant Pot! I got a few ideas from some fellow bloggers that I am anxious to try!
Donuts! I’ve never made any donuts before, but I definitely think I need to! Thanks for sharing these 🙂
Menu-planning is my nemesis, but freezer meals have been coming to my rescue this past month. Love the convenience they offer!
These all look delicious! My son saw the donuts while I was reading the post and now he is begging for some! LOL Thanks for sharing!
the pancake mix in the donut maker is genius! I need to try that asap!
This challenge sounds perfect for my lifestyle!! And those donuts look delicious! I’ll definitely have to try that out. 🙂
I am liking this challenge! I”m trying to get better about freezing food so we can have a meal thrown together much quicker.
These freezer challenges are so so great
I’m soooo on the fence about the Instant Pot — it is intimidating! I’m tempted to get a mini donut maker now though, thanks a lot! hahha, donuts are my weakness!
I need an instapot in my life! 🙂 Can’t wait to see what you cook up in yours.
I really need to get better about utilizing freezer meals. I had a bunch stored up when my son was born, but that was 2 years ago now. Probably a dumb question but do you use a mini donut pan or do you make them by hand? I really love that idea (and also to use waffle mix) and I think it would be a perfect snack. Thanks for sharing!
I actually have a Baby Cakes Mini Donut Maker. It is super easy and fun to use!
Here’s the link if you want to check it out! http://amzn.to/2yGFbAx