Freezer Meals – Sloppy Joes

I have to admit, I have been using Fix, Freeze, Feast for years now.  When I first started, I wasn’t too sure about how I would like it.  After years of cooking and enjoying good food from publishers like Cook’s Illustrated, Bon Appetit, and Eating Well, I just was not convinced that really good food could be pulled out of a freezer.  Boy was I wrong!!!  That was until I tried Fix, Freeze, Feast.  FFF takes advantage of Big Box Store offerings and fills the freezer at the same time with delicious meals made from REAL ingredients for hectic nights when dinner had to be on the table an hour ago.  After using this cooking method to supplement my own cooking for the past few years, I have started converting our family’s favorites!   Here is the first of many Freezer Meals that I will give to you!  Enjoy!  If you have any questions, PLEASE ask!

Sloppy Joes

3 Entrees ~ 4 Servings Each

1 Tray Lean Ground Beef (about 6 pounds)

6 cups of Chopped Onions

1 1/2 cups Chopped Celery

1 1/2 cups Green Bell Pepper

3 tsp Black Pepper

6 tsp Chopped Garlic

3/4 cup Dark Brown Sugar

3/4 cup Worcestershire Sauce

6 cups (48oz) tomato sauce

3 cups Beef Stock

6 tsp hot sauce (I like Frank’s)

12 hamburger rolls

(6) gallon freezer bags

1. Label bags with the date & name with a sharpie.  Divide the rolls between 3 bags.
2. In a large stock pot, heat Olive oil.  Saute onions, celery, bell pepper, black pepper, and garlic.  Be careful NOT to burn or undercook.  Lift the veggies out of the pan and place in a bowl to the side.
3. Brown the meat all the way through, making sure to break up large pieces.   This may take a while due to the large quantity of meat.
4. Once the meat is cooked through, strain off the fat, and add the veggies back in, cooking & stirring for 5 minutes.
5. Add the remaining ingredients to the pot, allow to simmer for 25 minutes.
6. Cool the mixture completely and divide between the 3 remaining bags.
7. Lay the bags flat in the freezer.  Freeze the rolls as well.