Shelf Stable Meal Bag Ideas

Below you’ll find some ideas for complete meal bags you can prep and leave in little food pantries. These easy grab and go options for families.

Turkey Dinner (Price ~$17.79 per bag)

1 28-oz can of turkey ($8.82)
1 box stuffing mix ($1.88)
1 can green beans (can sub other canned vegetable) ($1.25)
1-2 packets turkey gravy (enough to make 2 cups) ($0.67 x 2)
2 packets flavored instant mashed potatoes ($1.27 x 2)
Packet of dried cranberries (optional) ($1.96)

Prepare mashed potatoes according to package and spread over bottom of casserole dish.
Layer drained green beans on top of the potatoes.
Drain the turkey but reserve the broth. Shred the turkey with a fork and spread over the top of the green beans.
Prepare the turkey gravy, substituting some of the water with the turkey broth from the can.
Pour this on as the next layer.
Prepare the stuffing mix (add dried cranberries if using) and layer on top of everything.
If you have some butter you can put some pieces on top to aid in browning.
Bake at 400 for 30-40 minutes.

*submitted by Horizon Creative Studio

Creamy Chicken and Dumplings (~$10.93 per bag)

1 Box Biscuit Mix ($0.93)
2 cans chicken ($2.38 x 2)
1 can cream of chicken soup ($1.26)
1 can evaporated milk ($1.34)
1 can mixed vegetables (drained) ($1.48)
1 can diced potatoes (drained) ($0.96)
1-2 bouillon cubes ($2.48 for 24 pack $0.10 each)

Drain the chicken, reserving the broth.
In a large pot, combine shredded chicken, broth, cream of chicken soup, evaporated milk, potatoes, mixed vegetables, bouillon cubes, seasoning packet from the biscuit mix, and 2 cups of water.
Heat soup to a boil.
Mix the biscuit mix according to instructions.
Dollop teaspoonfuls of the prepared biscuit mix into the soup.
Cover and simmer for 12 minutes, until the dumplings are cooked.

*submitted by Horizon Creative Studio