Tim Laielli, a Texas wedding photographer and father of two daughters, transformed his family’s meal routine.
Tim implemented an innovative freezer meal preparation system.
By preparing and freezing 16-serving meals, Laielli saves time, reduces costs and offers your family flexibility in meal times.
The traditional method of meal preparation did not fit his busy lifestyle, as his wife and two teenage daughters often had incompatible schedules.
To solve this problem, he began cooking large batches of meals once a week and freezing portions for later use.
This approach allows the family to enjoy a variety of homemade options: soups, chicken teriyaki or curry, whenever they need a quick meal.
The two savings
Laielli highlights the cost-benefit ratio of his method. Saves time and money.
About money: on average, meals cost between 2 and 3 dollars per portion (between 1.91 euros and 2.86 euros); and with high quality ingredients, count on .
For example, a batch of 16 breakfast burritos costs just 1.75 euros per serving.
By purchasing ingredients in large quantities and using dry products such as beans, you can further reduce costs.
This strategy also eliminates the need for expensive takeout meals, which is a common solution for families with busy schedules.
To store meals, Laielli uses a combination of glass containers, vacuum-sealed bags and plastic containers, preventing freezer burn and maximizing freshness.
A chest freezer – from €190 – in your garage provides additional storage space, allowing you to store meals that can last up to a year.
Time savings is another significant advantage.
Cooking large portions only adds 20 minutes to normal prep time, but covers several meals.
Reheating is simple, with customized methods depending on the dish.
Laielli’s system not only frees up time for personal hobbies—running and reading—but also allows you to participate in your daughters’ activities without worrying about dinner.
His approach has won over other parents, who are looking for an efficient way to manage family meals.
