If you take a little time during the upcoming holiday to learn techniques towards cooking on a budget, you can really save yourself quite a bit of money planning out your family’s meals. All you really have to do is budget at the grocery store. I found this great recipe to make Freezer Friendly Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole that you can prepare in bulk ahead of time and then freeze quite easily. The Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole can be separated into freezer bags and laid out flat. Then, the food is ready anytime you need a quick dinner. This recipe from MoneySavingMom is sure to become a favorite for your entire family as it did for mine.
The Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is so easy to make! Just cook the rice and chicken. Then, mix the meal with broccoli, cream of mushroom, and chicken soup. Add the cheese, salt and pepper and divide into freezer bags. After cooking this recipe and dividing into bags, you will have four family dinners for a medium sized family. Best of all, the meal is already prepared for you anytime you need a quick, budget friendly dinner. You could easily add other ingredients or vegetables to make this dish to your own taste!
Ingredients
- 10 cups cooked rice (white or brown)
- 4 cups cooked chicken, chopped
- 4 cups chopped broccoli, lightly steamed (frozen or fresh)
- 2 cans cream of mushroom soup
- 2 cans cream of chicken soup
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. You will then divide the mixture into four large zip top freezer bags and freeze flat. To serve the casserole you will need to thaw overnight (or for about 8 hours) in the refrigerator. Dump the casserole into a greased casserole dish (each bag will fill an 8×8-inch pan; two bags will fill a 9×13-inch pan). Sprinkle the top of the casserole with additional shredded cheese, if desired. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes, or until heated through, bubbly and golden. This casserole makes about 15 to 18 servings and each freezer bag will feed four to five people.
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