April Meal Prep: TS Signature Pork Chops

 

This is a basic meal - you can grill on the BBQ or you can panfry or you can broil.  We used our broiling pan in the toaster oven since there's just the two of us.  The remaining chops have been placed in the freezer for future meals.  Of course, you can substitute chicken or beef sirloin steaks for the pork.

Ingredients:

• 6 boneless pork loin chops
• 2 Tbsp TS Signature Seasoning & BBQ Rub

Directions:

• Prepare grill to medium heat.  Rub chops with TS Signature Seasoning & BBQ Rub.
• 
  Place chops on grill.  Grill, turning once, until internal temperature reaches 150 degrees F on an instant-read food thermometer, about 10-12 minutes
• Remove from grill.  Let stand 10 minutes

April Meal Prep: Slow Cooker Taco Pork Burrito Bowls

 

This has a bit of spice.  You can control the amount of heat by using a milder salsa and not as much of the taco seasoning.  Very delicious.  You could substitute beef or chicken for the pork.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 lbs boneless pork loin roast, cut into 4 pieces
• 1 (16 oz) jar salsa verde
• 1 c water
• 6 Tbsp Mom's Favorite Taco Seasoning
• 4 c cooked quinoa or rice
• Toppings such as Corn, Black Bean Salsa; roasted corn, shredded cheese, sauteed bell peppers and onions, guacamole, sour cream

Directions:

• 
  Place pork in a 3-quart or larger slow cooker.  In small bowl, combine salsa, water, and Mom's Favorite Taco Seasoning.  Pour over pork.
• 
  Cook on LOW 8-10 hours or HIGH 5-6 hours or until pork is falling apart.  Shred pork.
• Serve pork over quinoa or rice and top with desired topping.

Freeze for later cooking:

Put the cut-up pork and the seasonings in a gallon-freezer bag.  Toss to coat the meat.  Then squeeze the air out.

April Meal Prep: Creamy Chicken & Stuffing

 

This was a fun dish to prepare.  We had this for dinner the same night that it was prepared - mainly because I didn't have an aluminum pan to freeze it in nor the space as the only freezer I have is the bottom of the refrigerator.  I hope to have our chest freezer moved from our old house to our current home this next week.

I can see this being made with turkey or even boneless pork chops.  Anyway, here are the ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced (mine were cut-up in chunks), seasoned with salt & pepper (mine weren't)
• 1 1/2 Tbsp Spinach & Herb Seasoning, divided
• 1/2 c frozen green peas, optional
• 1 (10.5 oz) can 50% less sodium cream of mushroom soup (I used no salt added)
• 1 c sour cream
• 1 (6 oz) pkg stovetop chicken-flavored stuffing mix
• 1/2 c butter, melted

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Place seasoned chicken in the bottom of a greased 9x9-inch baking dish.  Sprinkle with 1 1/2 teaspoons Spinach & Herb Seasoning.  Top with peas, if desired.

2.  In a medium bowl, whisk together soup, sour cream and remaining 1 tablespoon Spinach & Herb Seasoning.  Pour over chicken.  Sprinkle with dry stuffing mix and drizzle with melted butter.

3.  Bake until internal temperature of chicken reaches 165 degrees F on an instant-read food thermometer and stuffing is crispy and golden brown, about 30 minutes.

We froze the leftovers in individual servings.

April 2025 Meal Prep Class

 We had a fun time during our April meal prep class.  We do these every month - one hour making 5 different meals to have in the freezer for later or that night or the next day.

This month our recipes included Creamy Chicken & Stuffing Casserole, Sausage & Shrimp Boil, Slow Cooker Taco Pork Burrito Bowls, TS Signature Sliders, and TS Signature Pork Chops.  Over the next few days, I will share how I fixed these.

You will need the following Tastefully Simple Products (they can be ordered from my website):

• TS Signature Seasoning & BBQ Rub
• Mom's Favorite Taco Seasoning
• One Pan Grilled Sausage & Shrimp Boil Mix
• Spinach & Herb Seasoning (single pack)

All other ingredients will be provided in the individual recipes.  However, you will need the following supplies:

• 1-gallon freezer safe storage bags
• 2-gallon freezer safe storage bags
• snack-sized bag
• heavy-duty aluminum foil
• 9x9 aluminum pan
• parchment paper or wax paper squares
• black sharpie marker

  

TS Signature Burgers

Taco Pork Burrito Bowls

Sausage & Shrimp Boil

  

  

TS Signature Pork Chops

Meal Madness: Bacon Wrapped Ranch Chicken

 I've done similar meals but this was fantastic!  Loved the cream cheese filling.  I can see using other seasonings like Garlic Garlic.  I used light cream cheese and turkey bacon.  I did not use the salt and pepper. 

 

Meal Prep Ingredients

• 6 (5-6 oz) boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
• 
  2 Tbsp Classic Ranch Mix
• 1 Tbsp Onion Onion Seasoning
• 1 c shredded mild cheddar cheese
• 12 bacon slices
• salt and pepper

Equipment Needed

• Cutting board, sharp knife
• small bowl, mixing spoon
• measuring cups/spoons
• plastic wrap OR parchment paper
• 2 (1 gallon) resealable freezer bags
• scissors, marker

Meal Prep

1. 
   In small bowl, combine softened cream cheese, Classic Ranch Mix, and Onion Onion Seasoning; vigorously mix until well combined.  Stir in cheddar cheese.  Set aside.
2. Press firmly down on each chicken breast and cut lengthwise to fillet the chicken breast.  DO NOT cut through the chicken entirely.  Open chicken breast like a book.
3. Salt and pepper chicken.
4. Place generous spoonful of cream cheese mixture on one half of each chicken breast.  Close over chicken breast creating a sandwich effect.
5. Wrap 2 slices of bacon around each breast.
6. Wrap each chicken breast in plastic wrap or parchment paper.
7. 
   Label a Freezer gallon bag with "Bacon Wrapped Ranch Chicken" and today's date.
8. Place individually wrapped chicken breasts inside gallon freezer bag.
9. Double bag to keep from freezer burn.  Seal well, label and freeze.

You can also refrigerate up to 24 hours.

Finish and Serve

Remove from freezer and refrigerate until thawed, about 24 hours.

1. 
   Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Remove plastic wrap from chicken and place in a greased 13x9-inch baking dish.
2. Bake 35-40 minutes or until internal temperature of chicken reaches 165 degrees F on an instant-read food thermometer.  If desired, broil on High 2-3 minutes or until bacon reaches desired crispiness.

Meal Madness: One-Skillet Mama Mia Lasagna

 

I wouldn't call this "lasagna", it is more a pasta dish as you used penne pasta rather than the flat lasagna noodles.  Again, this was a very delicious meal.  Of course, we love our pasta.  I used 99% ground turkey and gluten-free penne rigata. 

Meal Prep Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs 85% lean ground beef
• 1 1/2 tsp Garlic Garlic Seasoning
• 24 oz can no salt added tomato sauce
• 2 Tbsp Mama Mia  Marinara Sauce Mix
• 1 c shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 c penne pasta
• 2 c water

Equipment Needed:

•  can opener
• measuring cups/spoons
• 4 (1 quart) resealable freezer bags
• 1 (1 gallon) resealable freezer bag
• scissors, marker

Meal Prep

1. Place 1 1/2 lbs ground beef and 1 1/2 teaspoons Garlic Garlic Seasoning in a quart freezer bag.  It is ok if seasoning is not completely incorporated into meat because we will add to skillet when making.  Seal well. Set aside.
   
2. Place 24 ounces of tomato sauce and 2 tablespoons Mama Mia Marinara Sauce Mix in a quart freezer bag.  Seal well. Set aside.
3. Place 1 c shredded mozzarella cheese in a quart freezer bag.  Seal well.  Set aside.
4. Place 2 c penne pasta in another quart bag.  Seal well.  Set aside.
5. Label gallon bag with "One-Skillet Mama Mia Lasagna" and today's date.
6. Place all bags in the freezer bag.  Seal well and freeze (or you can refrigerate up to 24 hours.

Finish and Serve

Remove One-Skillet Mama Mia Lasagna from freezer and refrigerate until thawed, about 24 hours.

1. In large skillet over medium-high heat, empty contents of the meat bag.  Cook and crumble until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes; drain off liquid.
2. 
   Add contents of sauce bag, 2 c of water and contents of pasta bag (2c).  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, cover and simmer until pasta is tender and sauce is thickened, stirring occasionally, about 15-20 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and sprinkle with cheese bag.  Cover and serve when cheese is melted.

Meal Madness: Mom's Taco Chicken & Rice

 

This was a very delicious casserole dish.  This can be cooked on the grill.  However, I baked it in the oven.  We didn't freeze this meal but had it for dinner the same day of the meal prep class (April 13th).  Since my hubby doesn't like peppers, I omitted the chili pepper.

Meal Prep Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 
  1 poblano Chile pepper
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans
• 1 1/2 c long-grain white rice
• 1 1/2 Tbsp Onion Onion Seasoning
• 4 Tbsp Mom's Favorite Taco Seasoning, divided
• 3 c water
• 1 c sour cream
• Taco toppings such as shredded cheese, chopped tomatoes, avocado or guacamole, green onions, and shredded lettuce.

Equipment needed:

• 1 (13x9-inch) aluminum foil disposable pan OR oven-safe baking dish
• large mixing bowl
• cutting board, sharp knife
• can opener, strainer, mixing spoon
• measuring cups/spoons
• aluminum foil
• cooking spray

Meal Prep:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Mix 1 c sour cream with 1 1/2 Tbsp Mom's Favorite Taco Seasoning until well combined.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.
3. 
   Slice or cube chicken.  Place in large mixing bowl.
4. Chop pepper and add to large mixing bowl.
5. Rinse and drain can of black beans; add to large mixing bowl.
6. 
   add 3 cups water to large mixing bowl.
7. add 1 1/2 c rice to large mixing bowl
8. add Onion Onion Seasoning and 2 1/2 tbsp Mom's Favorite Taco Seasoning to large mixing bowl.  Toss carefully to coat well.
9. 
   Pour all contents into a sprayed 13x9 aluminum pan or oven-safe baking dish.  Cover tightly with foil.
10.  Bake covered until liquid is absorbed, about 45 minutes.
11. Once finished, serve topped with desired toppings and seasoned sour cream.

If you want to make ahead and freeze:  Prepare steps 3,4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.  Cover with plastic wrap.  Place remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons Mom's Taco seasoning in a quart freezer bag.  Place on plastic wrap.  Cover with foil; seal well; label and freeze.  Thaw completely.  continue with step 1. (add water) then cover w/foil.