Freezer Meal: Enchilada Casserole

We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Mexican food in my house.  It is probably one of the cuisines most often prepared at home.  Today's Freezer meal is Enchilada Casserole.  This is one meal that is devoured almost instantly and my friends and family cannot get enough of it.  The best thing is that it is quicker and easier than rolling out enchiladas individually.

Ingredients

1 large can of  Mild Enchilada Sauce (I use Old El Paso Brand)
1 regular can of  Medium Enchilda Sauce
2 packages of Shredded Cheese (Can be Cheddar, Cheddar Jack, Mexican Style or Taco Seasoned Cheese, I've used all of them before and tend to use whats on sale or what I have on hand).
1 can of diced green chilis
1 pound of ground beef or turkey
14 corn tortillas (May vary depending on the size baking dish you use)
1 package of taco seasoning
4-5 diced green onions
cooking spray

Directions: 

1. Spray a casserole dish, cake pan, or foil pan (depending on what you are using) with the cooking spray.
2. In a large skillet brown the meat and drain.  Once drained add the taco seasoning and cook according to the directions. Set aside when done.
3. While the meat is cooking, pour enchilada sauce into a large bowl that you can dip the tortillas in to coat.
4. Cut 10 of the corn tortillas in half.  These will form the outer edge of the casserole.
5. Dip the tortillas into the enchilada sauce and place into the baking dish lining the outside.  (See photo).
6. Dip 2 of the uncut tortillas in the enchilada sauce and fill in the middle covering the bottom of the entire dish. (See photo). 
7. Cover the tortillas in the dish with the seasoned meat evenly.
8. Next spread the green chilies over the meat evenly.
9. Top the chilies and meat with on package of the shredded cheese.
10. Spread the green onions over the top evenly.
11. Spoon remaining enchilada sauce over the top reserving enough to coat the remaining tortillas
12. Now repeat the steps to cover the top of the layers with the coated tortillas (steps 6 & 7).
13. Pour any remaining enchilada sauce on top of the tortillas
14. Top the casserole with the other package of cheese.

Line the pan with the half tortillas like so

Fill in bottom with whole tortillas

It is coming together!  It's soooo yummy!

Cover the pan with heavy duty foil and pop in the freezer.  To cook.  Preheat oven to 425 degrees and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 35-45 minutes!  Voila!

The same recipe can be used to prepare them for dinner that night.  Just bake at 425 degrees until the cheese is again melted and bubbly for about 15-20 mins.

Freezer Meal: Scalloped Potatoes with Ham & Broccoli

I have been entertaining the idea of making freezer meals in order to make dinner less of a hassle and to have something on hand always when I am in a bind.  I finally decided to get to work on it today!

I decided to start doubling my recipes and freezing half of it and making the other half for dinner.  This seems more logical to me than attempting to devote a whole day to cooking.  I will be adding my Freezer Meal recipes on here with the DOUBLED recipe.  Remember to divide it up!  You can either make one to serve for dinner that day and freeze the other or freeze both and stock up that freezer.

Today's Freezer Meal

Scalloped Potatoes with Ham & Broccoli

What You Need:

6 large Russet Potatoes cut into 1/4 inch rounds
2 packages of pre-diced or pre-cubed ham OR 2 ham steaks diced up
2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
2 cans of cream of something soup (I use cream of mushroom, if you don't want to use canned cream of "something" soup check out this link for a homemade substitute: Click Here)
2 cans of water
4 cups of broccoli cut up small
salt and pepper to taste

***NOTE: I DO NOT FREEZE THE POTATOES!  I simply add them to the crock pot the day I make it! There is a risk of them turning black if frozen.  1 Large package of frozen potatoes could be substituted****

Divide all ingredients among two containers (except potatoes, if using fresh)  I use gallon or quart sized freezer bags.  Be sure to write cooking directions on bag.  Cook on Low 8 hours.  Add seasoning to taste once it is done cooking.  Seasoning is whatever you prefer!  (I use Mrs. Dash table blend).