large family food ideas

When I was married, I entered marriage with the convenience foods mentality.  We ate mostly boxed foods and our grocery bills were sometimes $200 a week!  That was with 2 small children.  Not good. Over the years it took much learning and encouragement  from a dear friend.   This was a woman who knew how to run a large household effectively and  how to cook for them from scratch. She taught me how to bake and cook things simple for my family. I was always under the impression that for your family to enjoy your foods they had to be:

  1. expensive
  2. made with many ingredients
  3. take hours in the kitchen to prepare

No longer do I think that.  Here are most of the foods that we enjoy on a monthly basis.  Most of them are simple, some are complex–due to a special treat, but all are easy to prepare.

Soups–Sandwiches

Dinner ideas

sides and salads–breads

breakfast ideas

Deserts–frozen treats—snacks

Preserving foods/staples

Short cuts/tips for cooking

 

 

 

 

 

142 thoughts on “large family food ideas”

    1. Jennifer Ash

      I am just getting into freezer meals and I am having trouble with my pasta becoming soggy after thawing can you give me any suggestions? Thank you so much

          1. I don’t have it written out…1 pound ground breakfast sausage or ground beef…pkg of shredded coleslaw mix. soy sauce, sesame seed oil, ginger, garlic to taste:)

  1. Thanks for excepting me. I would like to teach Home Economics to youth ages-8-17. Can you give me some ideas as to what curriculums to use and if there are any for free to download.

    1. I have a home economics course available in book form that you can teach. You can download it as a PDF, order a hard copy from Amazon, or copy and paste everything from the online course. Look under homeschooling resources section and you will find everything you need. Enjoy!

  2. Dianne k Laguna

    Where do you get your storage containers for like the tomatoes that you puree and the soups

  3. Amy, in case you didn’t see my question under your “simplified meals”. I ask if you could send me the link to your “Spaghetti Sauce” recipe. I tried to find the
    recipe but didn’t find it. Thanks Amy

  4. Carole Tsengouras

    Hi Amy
    I want to make the breakfast sandwiches u make but I was wondering if u toast the English muffins first. Then add the ingredients and freeze?

  5. Amy, I noticed when you cook ground beef/turkey in bulk you use a stock pot. I’ve only ever fried it in a pan, which takes forever if you have several pounds. Do you put water in it? What’s your secret? Thanks! By the way, love your freezer cooking videos.

    1. It is a heavier bottom stock pot…. Sometimes if I remember, I sprinkled some salt on the bottom of the pan, prevents sticking. Normally it doesn’t stick bad at all but if I am doing a huge amount and overloading the pan, then I do. I pour a little water in the bottom, just to cover the bottom of the pan. Thanks for watching! Glad you are here.

  6. Sabrina lynn

    Love your videos and recipes! I also have a big family and am just starting to freeze meals. I was wondering how much you multiply each recipe normally to freeze for a whole month?!

    1. Usually most meals are for one meal so if I was making four of them, I would multiply times four:) Thanks for watching!

    1. THe round ones? those are from the dollar tree:) I have used them for a few months and like them very much:)

  7. Stacy Barnes

    Hi Amy I live in England and watch your videos daily, I’m hooked i have to say we too have a big family we have 5 children and a grandchild on the way, I love how easy your meals are to create and enjoy makin them

    1. You can do the same ones we do, just smaller sized. Do what your family likes….or keep routines each week then you only have to cook four of each meal:)

      1. Nathalie Nathan

        Bonjour
        I am trying to find an emailadress or contact on this blog?
        I ended up watching one of your Youtube videos for cooking I do not have a large family but got hooked on some of your videos -new life for me
        Amazing how you organized everything

        Living in Paris/France but I am originally from Sweden (met a gorgeous frenchman in Paris during a weekendtrip with a friend and now 21 years later we are married with children 🙂

        I put together some pricefriendly and easy recipes for you that I have not seen you use on your videos. French and Swedish recipes. Dinners and dessert like the swedish vanillacake supereasy and one plate gives you 42 pieces..

        I made it in a PDF document so I would need an email or other do send it
        I do not want to note my email on a blog but I believe you can see my email in this form where it is noted your email will not be published?

        Anyway warm greetings from Paris God bless you and your beautiful family

  8. Hello/Bonjour
    I live in Paris France and clicked on one of your Youtube videos by accident and then got stuck. I “only” have 2 children but I like what you do and looked at several of your videos. Really great 🙂
    I have put together some ideas and recipes for you that you might like that are easy and pricefriendly. I am Swedish but live in France since some years so the recipes are french and some are swedish. I have not seen you try these on your videos so if you want them I can send them by email
    I believe that you can see my email in this post so if you just send me your email I will send the recipes to you (PDF document)

    Thank you for fun videos, God Bless you and your family
    All the best from Paris
    Kind regards

  9. Hi Amy!! Fellow MI homeschooling mom of 5 here😊

    Where is your pizza dough recipe?! I cant seem to find it lol
    Thanks!

  10. Suzanne Weatherford

    WOW This is interesting because you could do a whole month and a few days of breakfast without repeating. And almost 3 months of dinners without repeating. WOW. I would like to incorporate strips of papers with the meals on each strip and play draw the strip out of a jar and put it on my menu plan sheet. At the end of all the strips drawn I could put them back in and start over again with a different dinner every night for almost 3 months (we would only have lasagna 4 times a year instead of every week at 52 times a year). And if I put the soups and sandwiches in there for dinners then I might stretch it out to a different dinner for 4 months. What a concept! My once a week treat to the neighborhood kids would not be repeated for over 2 years. Love this idea of a different dinner every night.

  11. Wood Chalene

    You are such an inspiration and answer to prayer. I have three teens and a 7 yr old. They are extremely picky eaters. I look forward to trying your recipes. I am also going to be decluttering my whole house. I’m glad I found your blog. Thanks for everything you do for moms.

  12. Silvia Monjaras (J prounounced as an H)

    I just love all the recipes and I’m now working on getting a little freezer to freeze my dinners, lunches, breafasts, etc….Thank you for giving all of us the courage to try…..

  13. Diana Bürkle

    Hi . I am a Mom of 5 Kids from Germany. I watch your Vlogs. Thank you.
    I cant find the recipe from the Harvest Mix ?

    The Lord bless you and your Family.

  14. Just discovered your website today and am in love! I have been struggling to come up with new ideas for my growing family for meals for a while now. This page in particular is going to be a lifesaver. I have enjoyed several of the other pages though as well. We are a family of 6, soon to be 7, and I work full time between our new business and another part time job, so the freezer meals will be a huge help. I’m also looking forward to the weight loss series after baby 5 arrives in May 2019 🙂 now that I have neglected my extra duties aside from feeding kids and doing laundry today I should probably take a break now that I have new stuff to try. Thank you for all the time and years you have put into this page. Its wonderful.

    1. I am very glad that you enjoy this page. It has been many years ago that I started this blog and now I look back and see what God was doing. I hope it is a source of inspiration to you. Have a fantastic day and enjoy those babies.

  15. Hi Amy, you are a great inspiration in the mom cooking world. question? where did you get the apple sauce grinder? would love to get one.

    1. I thank you for your kind words. I bought mine at an Amish store but Amazon has it…Victorio applesauce maker:)

    1. It would separate and spoil. I just make some fruit sauce up and set in another jar and mix together when we serve.

  16. Good Morning! Thank you for your wonderful site, I’m excited to implement the Kitchen Skills for myself and the family!
    I’m having trouble accessing all the shortened WordPress links.
    example – http://wp.me/P3C4SG-33a

    Thank you again, have a super day!

    ~Complete in Him~
    Nancy
    ————
    Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:3

    1. I clicked on that first link and it took me right to the page..Which links are your referring to??? THanks for letting me know and for being here:)

  17. Hello, I was wondering if you could tell me where you order you bulk foods from? Like your oatmeal and maple flavoring, etc.

    1. I order from a Mennonite store in Michigan that delivers down to my state. http://www.clnf.org Look and see if you have a Bulk food store near you anywhere. I have found they are the cheapest.

  18. Hi Amy, love your vlogs. Very motivating. Your family is adorable.
    Do you have the link for the floor mop you use in today’s video? Looks like it works great for large areas. I’m assuming you dust mop as well as wet mop with it?
    Hope to hear.
    Thanks so much
    Joan. 🙂

  19. What is your budget for groceries now if you don’t mind me asking and what would say is a good frugal budget per person per month?

    1. we budget 1200-1300 per month for 11 of us. I would say 125-150 depending upon lifestyles is a good number:)

  20. Mía Navarro

    Hi Amy & Marion’s!
    I enjoy your blogs while traveling the US on our semi (truck) and suggest your ideas and recipes with my young daughthers & niece. We all love you kitchen scissors and wonder the brand and where you get them at, can you please share your “secret”. Also thanks for sharing your home schooling curriculum my oldest is going to start my grandson on it to boost his school learning experience and to practice, they just came from Puerto Rico just a year ago and even with his conditions he has been doing better than kids who speak english as their 1st language, but is having trouble with the reading and a little with writting. She went to the library and started printing some pages and the librarian was so kind knowing she is a single parent of 2 that offered to print all for free, she just needed to bring the papper, THAT has been a blessing. Again; Ethan you for sharing your daily life, & knowledge with all of US. Stay blessed.

    Mia

    1. This was a huge blessing to read:) Thank you for sharing. Kitchen scissors are just from Walmart…..the Onedia brand

  21. Hi Amy!
    I’ve been watching your videos on YouTube for a while now and was wondering where you buy your white whole wheat flour from and what brand you use?

    1. Montana Praire Gold….Is my favorite. I ordered from a bulk food store. There is an Amish store and they deliver on a truck route down here. http://www.clnf.org But I have found some in our discount store that is another brand. I haven’t found one that I don’t like. But I do like this kind of flour:)

  22. Hi Amy. I’ve been watching your videos for several months now. Love all the freezer cooking. We are interested in homeschooling, any advice?

    1. My advice is don’t stress! Don’t buy a lot of curriculum. Start out with simple basics and add more as you feel comfortable and want to do more. Don’t think that if your kids aren’t working all day long that they aren’t learning. Provide lots of love and encouragement and less screen time and it will be fine. Good luck

  23. Hi! I am a homeschooling mama of 6 (just found out we have another on the way!). I am a heath coach and very into cooking from scratch with real food. But that has been exhausting! I just found your blog and am loving your tips! Some things I can very simply tweak. What I NEED to know is where do you get all of your cooking tools?!? Like the big, deep cafeteria style pans you’re cooking in? And when you cook bacon in the oven, how many pounds are you cooking at once? I notice you are just plopping it on there, not laying it in a single layer. How does that affect the texture? Thanks so much and I look forward to watching more of your videos!

    1. Hello it is so nice to meet you. I am glad you have found my tips useful. I got alot of my tools from an Amish store. The pans are from Sams club they are chaffing pans. yes I just plop it all together. We end up grinding it up to use as bacon bits. We don’t eat it like strips. Tastes fine. Been doing that for years. I am glad you are here. Have a fantastic day!

  24. Hi! I just stumbled onto you! I am a busy mom of nine (I always wanted 12 and wish I could have more, but am so grateful for the ones I’ve got!!). We eat mostly fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans and legumes, not much meat, dairy or eggs, (so I would love to see more of those recipes if you have any!)! Mostly though I just want to know where you got your deep deep dish pans! Those are awesome!! You know those regular size pans just don’t hold enough food for 11 people!! 🙂

    1. So nice to meet you! I got them at Sams club they are chaffing pans in the kitchen tools section:) Enjoy your day!

  25. I just found your videos and love them. I am hooked! The prepping, then the “assembling” of meals makes so much sense. This would be perfect for camping! Have you used dried milk or veggies? Do you drain the fat off the meats, add water, or what? We are on a low fat diet. What air fryer do you use?

    Thanks so much.

    1. I am glad you are here. Yes I use dry milk, especially when I run out or for baking. I haven’t in a long time..on the dry veggies just because they aren’t readily available where I am at. Yes we drain off the fat.I add water when I cook so it doesn’t burn, you could rinse your meat too. I have a video coming Monday on Corsori air fryer. I had one given to me and used it but now that I have the cosori one it is much nicer…and monday they are having a huge sale…where it is 40 dollars off. so watch mondays video and I will do a big review on it:)

  26. Teresa G Gleason

    What is the seasoning that’s in the big big jar I see when you do cooking, such as your lentals and rice?

    1. It was a big box of hidden valley spice mix like what you make salad dressing with….i got it at a discount store

    1. It was a big box of hidden valley ranch spice mix like you would make salad dressing with..I got it at the discount store…if you watch my grocery haul for the month you will see it.

  27. Lynn Bechard

    I’m looking at your “Cook with me” Pizza and lots of tips. Please share your pizza dough recipe? I cannot find it. Thank you

  28. Madison Smith

    Hi
    I absolute love watching you and your family on you tube, I’m a mum of 3, plus 2 step children and identical twin girls due in 16 days. Love all your food prep videos. You have been inspiring me to do more prep and meal planning which is helping my budgeting skills. So thank you so much.
    However my questions are, how do you make your cold coffee? What daily vitamins do you take? Do you defrost your meals before heating them up? And finally the sandwiches you make and freeze, do you just defrost and eat them?

    You truly are an incredible mum and person.

    Keep the videos coming 🙂

    Your daughter Lauren is comical, her laugh just makes me smile, I hope I have that same bond with my daughters as they get to that age.

    All the best
    Madison

    (I’m from the uk by the way)

    1. So nice to meet you:) Thank you for your kind words. I make my cold coffee with a coffee bag that looks like a tea bag full of coffee granules and then set it in a glass canning jar filled with water. I let it sit and then I add it to ice and sometimes add coconut milk or coffee creamer. If I want sweetness I will add some caramel syrup. I take a woman’s multivitamin. During the sickness times I take Elderberry and Zinc capsules. I try and defrost my meals but I don’t always defrost them do to forgetting to get them out. 🙂

  29. Joley Adams

    I just stumbled onto your video while browsing YouTube. It is very interesting. I was wondering what spices you had in the large pickle jar. Do you have a recipe for it?

    1. It was a large box of Hidden valley spice mix…like you would add vinegar and oil to and make salad dressing.

  30. Hi Amy, I wanted to thank you for sharing all of the recipes & your cooking skills. You have helped our family so much . We have learned to ” Gather our fragments ” & not be wast-full. Thank you . I am wondering about the ingredients that you add to the hamburger (eggs,oatmeal ) when you put together meatballs, hamburgers & meatloaf. Is this to make the hamburger stretch ?

    1. Yes and makes it more chewy…if that is a way to describe it:) So it doesn’t tastes like burger meat:) Makes it smoother too. Hope that is a good way to explain it:)

  31. Hi Amy! Your videos are so great, I could sit and watch them all day–they’re so calming for me! I couldn’t really find the recipe for your veggie mix, the one that you puree and cook down and add to all your recipes… It seems like you just eyeball it and add whatever, but would you mind sharing the link or the basic recipe? Thank you!

    1. I don’t have a post for that and yes it is just eyeballing it and adding whatever veggies you have and cook for few minutes until soft:)

  32. Laurie jones

    In response to the deenkee vacuum give away my favorite summer dishes are shell pasta cooked add canned flakes of chicken, gherkin pickles and green onions and mix in whipped salad dressing also fusilli or rotini noodles red/purple onion, green peppers, red peppers, orange whichever you like best and Italian salad dressing it is quick and easy i also use canned flakes of chicken or ham and mix with gherkins and green onions and whipped salad dressing and make sandwiches

  33. Jalynn Patterson

    Okay, Amy–I need the low down on two of the items I seen in your videos. One is the gorgeous teal/blue serving bowl I see you use. The other is the fabric pad that you drain your dishes on. We hand wash our dishes and use a bath towel, but I like the idea you have so that looks interesting. And the bowl is gorgeous. Do you have links for both of them?

    1. Both were from walmart at one time. the blue/teal bowl are melamine dishes…I found it 7 years ago:( The pad is an XL microfiber dish mat:)

  34. Kelly Ann Taylor

    Amy, on the monster batch cookies it doesn’t give the oven temp or how long to cook them. I have been wanting to make these for a while. But my old recipe is measurements in pounds instead of cups. But yours is so much easier to do. Could you please post the temp and baking time?

  35. I watch you all the time and I don’t know how I missed this site! 😀 …. Thank you bunches and may God continue to bless you and yours!

  36. I would like to know what that seasoning is that you have in that very large jar that you put in most every dish in your “biggest large family once a month freezer meals” video!

      1. Sandy Smaltz

        Hi Amy! I love watching your videos! Such an inspiration! I have a question about the Hidden Valley Salad Mix. When I Google this (trying to find a picture), all that comes up is the Hidden Valley Ranch Salad Dressing mix. Is that what you’re using?

          1. Sandy Smaltz

            Thank you so very much! I finally found it! I really appreciate you!

    1. straining it will make it thicker:) or using whole milk…let it sit longer in your refrigerator…it won’t be thick like custard…straining with cheesecloth will do that.

  37. Cheryl A Cowden

    I don’t have a large family, but my granddaughter loves the breakfast meals i.e. breakfast burritos, muffins , etc. She is working now so anything she can make ahead she loves. Thank you so much. I so enjoy your posts, very encouraging and they are a blessing to me. May our Lord continue to bless you and your family.

  38. I saw a video that showed you cooking a bunch of vegetables so you could add them into other recipes. Do you have a recipe for this?
    Thank you for sharing your knowledge!!!

    1. No recipe…all you do is chop or puree a bunch of veggies..doesn’t matter what you include and saute them for a few minutes until cooked. Add to all your dishes. 🙂

  39. Marcey webb

    Good morning Amy just wanted to drop a line and let you know the honey mustard chicken I added ham cubes and Swiss cubes for cordon bleu was delicious. Though Swiss should have been added in last 30 minutes. I also am trying the jelly chicken today. I decided to go with orange marmalade and a can of Mandarin oranges I’ll let you know how it turned out. Keep up the great work. You give me new ideas everyday. I hope your day is bountiful in everything. Marcey

  40. Cathy Hammond

    Watch your youtube often. I love your realism and your Christian witness. I am retired now but grew up with 12 brothers and sisters. I have taught Home Economics in the past, or what they call “Family and Consumer Sciences” now.

    Watching today 2/21. What is your recipe for the chicken noodle soup?

    1. I appreciate this:)I make simple…chicken broth…garlic….onions….and mixed vegetables…and noodles:)

  41. Hi Amy,
    my name is Clare and I live in Australia with 7 kids.
    I am a visual learner and so love your videos with bulk cooking.

    I have looked back at several videos to see how you cover and store certain foods in your freezer. For example, when you do a big pasta bake in the foil trays, or do the jumbo stuffed pasta in the foil tray, what do you cover the tray with before putting it in the freezer? Is it just aluminium foil?

    And when you take a meal out that is frozen, do you thaw it first or pop it straight into the oven?

    I feel confident now with the actual cooking part, but am still learning the how and what, with covering/storing/defrosting/re-heating part.

    I know you have lots going on, and I really appreciate your videos.

    God Bless,
    Clare

    1. I have learned that it is better to put like a piece of wax paper sheets down first and then foil…sometimes the foil comes off onto the casserole so the paper prevents that. I usually let them thaw for a few days…it takes that long but if i have forgotten i will put it in straight and turn down to like 300 and let thaw and cook slower.I am glad you are doing this…fantastic way… pastas make sure enough liquid when you goto reheat…even add some water:)

  42. Tabetha Cummins

    I have your apple cinnamon baked oatmeal cup recipe and I want to triple or quadruple it. How would I do that? Or do u already have the larger recipe. I have came into alot of apples and milk and oatmeal at the same exact time. So this will help me use it up.

    1. Just multiply the amounts…if you want triple…take the amount and multiply each number by 3:)

  43. Amy, what is the name of the company that you get your meat delivered to you? I cant remember which video it was on. Thank you

  44. Greeting from Nebraska. Amy, I want to thank you. During this pandemic, I was working from working and found your utube site. You brighten my days, during some of the most scary days. I have my daughter and her 3 kids and my son, living with me during this trying times but the support has been great. We are a 3 generational household, which makes for some crazy and funny days. Your site has Great information and I love all the yummy recipes. Your positive attitude is a blessing. Take care, know that a lot of out here appreciate you very much.

    1. I appreciate all of your kind words, thank you for them. You are doing an amazing thing..just keep going and smiling:)

  45. Nicole Hampton

    Was making your bean donuts today and realized idk what temperature and how long to bake them.

  46. Betty Barton

    Where do you buy your containers for the yogurt parties? You are such a blessing to us.

  47. Tara Derrickson

    Hi! I’m new to your videos and your site! I’ve been hooked on the meal prep videos for about a week – can you point me to a video or article you have already done or maybe make a video/article related to your kitchen utensils, pans, and containers? You’ve got great pantry things and commercial size pans I see you cooking with in the videos. I would love to put some of that in our kitchen, but don’t know where to start. Thanks!

  48. Amanda Martin

    Hi Amy!
    I recently discovered your videos on YouTube and have been watching a lot of them getting ideas. My sister is having a baby in October and I wanted to know if you had any freezer meal ideas I could make ahead for her soon-to-be family of three? I’m looking more at soup kits or chicken, or beef meals and some quick breakfasts.

    Thanks in advance!
    Amanda M.

    1. I am excited for her. You can pretty much freeze anything…mostly stay away from pasta and rice…you can but it does make it a different consistency to a point. Freeze the vege and meat and sauce mixtures. Hope that helps!

  49. Sharon Aguilos

    I just started watching your videos this last year I enjoy them very much. I noticed you make a lot of pasta dishes have you ever tried chicken cacciatore. My family and I enjoy it a lot I have adapted it from the original version. I simply cut my chicken in pieces and cook it in tomato sauce with onions, garlic, bell peppers and tomatoes. I serve with spaghetti or rice.

    1. Nice to meet you and I am glad you are here. Yes we have made a similar dish…I haven’t in a long time…I may just do it again. Thank you for the idea. Have a great day.

  50. Dolores M Rozman

    You were asking about club soda. A lot of people use as a cleaning liquid for stains. It’s a levelen agent. They carry genetic brand brand,usually quart size, sometimes found in bottled water aisle or sodas,beverage. Use it as a substitute for water in bisquick, hungry jack pancake, jiffy etc.Just made a double recipe 2day for my orange pancakes.A little Fresh orange juice squeezed in.Enjoy when you cook with your children.

  51. Jackie Gilles

    One way that I got more vegetables into my kids and grandkids, was to cop up equal parts of onions, celery and carrots (sometimes I grate them) into my sauce. Sometimes I go meatless, but most of the time I use meat. Once I even chopped mushrooms up real fine in the food processor and added to the sauce, they said it was the best ever.

    I enjoy watching your videos, keep doing what you’re doing and ignore the “Negative Nellies”.

  52. I absolutely love watching your videos! I am currently watching your first videos in order so I don’t miss anything. I love hearing about your children, watching you cook and gods word. Please keep recording!!!

  53. Sarah Kuentz

    Amy ,
    I love your cookbooks and I am going to purchase one..
    Can you plz tell me the Amish ones you use also..looking for some recipes from the Amish . I have seen many on Amazon, but it becomes overwhelming trying to pick…
    Thanks so much,
    GOD bless Sarah Kuentz

  54. Kimberly A Zimmerman

    Do you have a meal plan schedule you’d go off of to fill in? Like a certain kind of layout?

    1. I do not..I just make whatever we have on hand, usually plan a monthly meal plan then I go shopping, I have done it multiple ways over the years

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