I LOVE cooking with my Instant Pot. I LOVE not using my stove or oven at all. I just want to throw some food in, walk away, and resume chasing my toddler and telling him no. While there are a lot of one pot recipes out there for the instant pot, there are twice as many that aren’t. I can’t just have some Chinese chicken thighs alone. Ya girl needs some sides! Some of the easiest and cheapest make ahead sides are rice and mashed potatoes. Below you will find how to make, freeze, and prepare these (using the Instant Pot, because of course.)

Mashed Potatoes

You will need:

  • 10 lb bag Russet Potatoes (Aldi/Instacart – $3.85)
  • 2 cups chicken broth (Aldi – $0.67)
  • 3 cups of milk (Aldi – $0.54)
  • 4 Gallon Bags (Sam’s – $0.32 *Would be cheaper @ Aldi*)
  • Salt, Pepper, and Butter to taste (Butter @ Aldi approx $0.39)

Directions

  • Peel and divide potatoes in half, approximately 5 lbs
  • Place into Instant Pot whole
  • Add 1 cup chicken broth
  • Sprinkle Generously with salt and pepper
  • Cook on high pressure for 20 minutes
  • Quick release
  • Add 1 1/2 cups milk and butter (I used about 1/2 stick)
  • Mix with hand or stand mixer. (I do not own a hand mixer, so Ole Red did the job.)
  • Add more salt and pepper to taste
  • Add 5 cups to each gallon bag. Smoosh as much air out as possible. Smoosh flat and freeze.
  • Repeat process for 2nd batch
  • To serve thaw in fridge over night, place in a microwave safe dish, and microwave in 4 minute intervals until completely warm, stirring in-between.

In total I spend $5.77 on 20 cups of freeze ahead mashed potatoes. Bob Evans brand is $3.27 for 3 cups. That’s $0.28 per cup vs $1.09! Huge savings for something SO simple! I have no problem with instant potato flakes in a fix, but having these on hand is so much better. 😋

Rice

You will need:

  • 4 cups of white/jasmine rice (Great Value – $0.99)
  • 4 cups of water (From my sink – fo free)
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil (Aldi – $0.07)
  • Vacuum Sealer and Bags -OR- gallon bags (Vacuum Bags approximately $1.20 from Cabela’s / Gallon bags from Sam’s $0.32)

Directions:

  • Place rice into instant pot
  • Add water and oil
  • Stir
  • Use rice setting to cook on high pressure for 15 minutes
  • Quick Release
  • Lay flat on cookie sheet or cutting board and allow to cool for 20-30 minutes
  • Place 4 cups into either vacuum seal or gallon bags. (I choose to vacuum seal since I don’t feel I get enough air out with gallon bags, but from what I read it works.)
  • Freeze
  • To serve thaw rice, place in microwave safe dish and microwave in 3 minute intervals until completely warm, fluffing rice in between intervals. Add salt and butter for taste.

In total I spent $2.26 to make about 12 cups of cooked white rice. Uncle Ben’s ready rice is $1.98 for just under a 1 1/2 cups. That’s $0.18 per cup vs $1.32 per cup. It’s SO cheap and SO easy to do it yourself!

We are really not hard to please when it comes to meals. Some meat, a side or two, some bread and we’re good. These are so easy to make ahead of time and have on hand to whip up quick meal. Believe me, if it took real effort, I wouldn’t do it.

Some things that helped do the bare minimum when cooking were the true staples in my life my instant pot, my stand mixer, and my vacuum sealer.

I only recommend things I personally own and love. As an Amazon affiliate I make commission on qualifying items.

Links below for these life necessities! ⬇⬇⬇

Until next time, save that money!

Mountain Mama 💙💛🤍