18 Homestead Pantry Meals  

I was just watching a video of yours from the 2022 pantry challenge, and I was reminded about the "ugly food" issue. Homemade meals aren't ugly. Being resourceful isn't ugly. Providing your children with a happy, loving, and safe home isn't ugly. Not wasting food isn't ugly. Modelling respectful treatment of livestock isn't ugly. Thank you for _choosing_ to share your life with us.

Your phrases "It gets the job done" and "it fills bellies" run through the back of my mind, frequently. I appreciate these self kindness mantras - it helps remind me, as a home cooking mom, I don't have to do things perfectly. Thank you!

The big siblings with their baby sister🥰🥹🥰🥹🥰🥹🥰 it doesn’t get more special than that❣️🥰❣️

I can't believe I never thought to replace butter with bacon grease in mashed potatoes. Excellent idea!

You are so inspiring! Your planning and use of every last item is making me rethink how we cook at our house!

You amaze me !!! Not only do you have a new born to care for but also the littlies wanting your attention as well but still you manage to give your large family three NUTRITIOUS home cooked meals a day never forgetting your children’s likes & dislikes or allergies !!!! You truly are an inspiration!!!!🎉

Your videos are the best part of my Sunday morning. Thank you Jessica.

Hannah is the epitome of God's perfection!!! Thank you for sharing her with us!❤

The meals looked Delicious! Great job Jessica, you are a supermom! Loved seeing the expressions on the kids faces when they tasted your creations.

I have 7 kids and I'm nursing too and paper plates are great 👍, I always turn Leftovers into a dish . Hanna is so adorable 🥰

I love watching you cook. When I look up recipes online, sometimes they seem so complicated and too fancy for a meat and potatoes gal like myself… but watching you makes me feel better about my "practical" cooking. I am totally making mashed potatoes with bacon grease! Thanks for sharing and the inspiration!

I don’t mind if you have repeats in the coming weeks. There is actually something so comforting and cool about seeing things repeated and knowing how often you go to these tried and true recipes!

I loved using the pot roast drippings on the rice, putting the soup on the homemade mashed potatoes, and using the bacon grease instead of butter. Oh, and I want to try your French toast casserole, and I’d kind of forgotten about wanting to make those pastry “tarts” (I can’t remember what you call them - lol). Thanks! Good week. 😊

She is so adorable!!! She looks like both her parents! And I see all her siblings in her too! Can’t wait to see her continue to blossom! Thanks for sharing your life and family. I know our kids are our pride and joy. We always want to protect them and safe guard but you have opened your home and family to us and I truly appreciate it. Cause as moms we always want to make sure we are doing the right thing! Beloved so far on your channel you have done it right with pride and not a forgetting about your belief and values and I love it ❤ from a mom of 5 to you.

Jessica, you are a wonderful mother. You are hands on and a teacher. When I see your children sitting at the table ready to eat, it shows the time you have put into your children. Your 2 year old, sits at the table like a 15 year old, waiting for his meal, knows how to handle silverware, knows how to eat with table manners. I have seen many 2-5 years olds that don't do this. All parents are not teaching manners these days.

Hannah is absolutely perfect! I love hearing her little coos. You give yourself some grace with a baby and don't worry about what people think, you deserve it! Love, Sue ❤️

Good morning! I've been looking forward to your video. Little Miss Hannah is beautiful. Our newest great granddaughter will be here next week! Bless you all!

What a busy Mom you are. Thank you for letting us spend the week with you and your family.

I love how you explain nutrition. It is so refreshing to hear the benefits of things without shaming a little glaze or sugar to recipes!

Well I didn't have a baby in December but we had paper plates to help me! Sometimes the little things make a huge difference! 😄

So smart to use paper plates! We're getting adjusted to baby number 3 here and I'm already so busy with 3. I can totally imagine that the load of dishes is too much right now. I'm grateful for my dishwasher! Hope you have a lovely Sunday

I respect how much you work to feed your kids nutritionally balanced meals. I have a daughter with anaphylaxis food allergy as well and it is difficult at times to make a quick meal -but you inspire me to be creative. Thank you for sharing.

I love your well loved and well used bread pans ! Mine are the same ! I love seeing miss Hannah! She’s growing so fast ! Jessica , it is always a blessing for you to include us in your life !

Jessica I hope that your husband knows just what a special person he has in you. Canning those meals ahead of time and planning saves the day again! Hannah is precious. ❤

Everything you cook looks so yummy! We are enjoying our spin on the pantry (freezer for us) challenge. Even my husband is starting to participate by helping with meal planning week 2. We have to eat at least 1 thing from the freezer every day and no buying new freezer items. We saved money this week because we didn’t even eat out one single meal.

Great video Ms Jessica. That baby is so beautiful. Such great helpers. Some of my fave memories are of my older brothers and sisters taking care of me as mommy worked on the farm.

Paper plates are fantastic. Especially when you are all adjusting to a new baby. Congratulations she is adorable. Love this challenge

I use leftover bacon grease in everything I can put it into, but putting it into mashed potatoes never occurred to me for some reason. Great tip!

Your baby is the sweetest! I just finished restocking the freezer with some excellent scores. We had used everything except a roast and a turkey. I just have a side by side fridge and freezer, so not a lot of space. We are in a very little very plain ranch house in Montana. We are very downsized since senior seniors.

I’m an older person and I wish I had know how to stick up before. I started stocking when I ran my childcare, preschool business because we had to do earthquake preparedness. When we retired and moved I brought my long term pantry with us. This is the first time we’re doing the Pantry Challenge!! So excited to do it. I planned meals for 3 months. We support local farmers and get a Farm Box twice a month so that keeps us in fruits and veggies as well as 1/2 dozen eggs that supplement. We got the smallest box since there’s only 2 of us. Also decided my husband can buy his milk and cottage cheese twice a month and maybe some bananas. That made him happy. Figured out we will be saving tons of money because every time he went to the store he would buy junk food, chips, cookies, etc. I save all the receipts so I know exactly what he spends 😂. Only spent $100 on all the things I don’t have to make all our recipes for 3 months. Will update on how it went!!!

I'm noticing so many people joining you in the pantry challenge. So fun! I'm hoping to be able to join next time. Or maybe the every bit counts challenge this year.

You are so creative in using every last scrap of food so nothing goes to waste. I'm striving to do the same but have a loooong way to go. Thank you for your videos, they are very inspiring and entertaining.

Use paper plates when you need to!! If you need more let me know and I will gladly send more.

Miss Hannah is such a wee little poppet! Simply adorable! Every time I see her it makes me clucky for another baby 🥰😂 Great meals, they looked absolutely delicious!! You’re a champion, Jessica! PS a tip for bulking out food I use with my clan, especially for stews, chilli, etc, is some steamed rice. It soaks up the juices of the meal and is filling too.

What a blessing it is to have all of your easy meals for after the baby arrived.

Jessica you are doing awesome! Hannah is so precious ! All your children seem so sweet & content! They are getting excellent nourishment! Your meals look amazing! 🤗💖

Oh my gosh....paper plates are okay and awesome. Only two in our household and cats and I use paper plates everyday. Saves on water, dishwasher electricity and broken dishes....five bucks for fifty ....saves thirty to forty dollars in water and electricity...and they are recyclable...ignore the nay sayers.

Hannah is perfect and I love watching all your children and your daughter comforting her little brother was precious ❤

This is the second year I’ve done the challenge with you. I really think it’s a fun adventure. Little Hannah is precious. Thank you for your videos.

Jessica You are a amazing mom and homemaker. You waste NOTHING. I try to cook just like you . If we don't use all our drippings,the dogs get a little bit over their kibble and they are in heaven. Love love your family and videos. I do my pantry challenge in February.

I thought the name of the store you get your bulk items from was called As Your Standard. But it's Azure Standard. Silly me but everything looks so good. Simple but delicious. Beautiful family.

I love how you find substitutions for the dairy and the peanut and gluten. That is a huge list of ingredients for many families. I follow a biblical diet and am thinking about your ideas for different meals

Hannah is adorable as are all of your children!!!! The bacon grease in potatoes sounds great. I love how you roll things over into other meals and do not waste anything. More people need to practice this. I really enjoy your sweet family!!!

Hannah is beautiful and no worries about using paper plates or other items. You do a lot and it's okay to take a break every so often, spending time and bonding with Hannah is much more important. The meals look delicious! I want to try that applesauce loaf for my one year old grandson. He loves applesauce.

Yummy meals! The chicken soup over mashed potatoes looks like a perfect winter meal. 😋

It's no one's business about your use of paper plates. I have 6 adult children who bring along their family, and I use paper plates all the time. If it's just a couple, I won't use them, but four or more extra, those bad boys are coming out. If someone wants to do my dishes, I will gladly comply. Lol

The love your children have for each other is so refreshing in this world we live in now ❤

Thank you for showing your bread pans that do not look brand new! I have ones that look similar and have always felt shamed if anyone saw them. I know my pans are clean but I know how judgemental people can be. You have made me feel so much better about it.

I’ve been loving these videos lately. My mom actually got me onto watching your videos and it really helps give me ideas. I’m learning to be more frugal everyday

By the way I think you are the epitome of super mom. I feel so humbled as a mother watching you.

I’m loving the pantry challenge so far! It’s my first year and I enjoy setting my own rules - I’ve listed 20 items I want to use up (older ingredients or just far too much in the house) and a weekly budget restriction. I’m surprised how much I’m enjoying it. Thank you for bringing some fun into the gloomiest month of the year! Hannah is gorgeous 😊

Hi there! Your new addition is beautiful!! I wanted to ask you about your connection with ordering bulk lemons. I thought you previously said you purchase them through the Amish. Would you be able to share that contact with me or give me advise to how I can have a contact like that. I live in Indianapolis, Indiana.

If you have any crackers left over - I love to use crackers in my meatloaf: Jan's most remembered: Mom's Meat Loaf From the Kitchen of: Alderson Family Favorite Meals Ingredients: 2 lbs. ground beef 1/2 lb. pork sausage I some times use Mild Italian sausage 3 eggs, beaten 2 cups crushed soda crackers 1/2 cup water 1 tsp. garlic salt 1 med. onion, chopped 1 bell pepper, diced 1/2 tsp pepper Ingredients: 1/2 cup ketchup, divided Recipe instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients except 2 Tbsp. ketchup. Shape into loaf and place in loaf pan. Spread rest of ketchup on top and bake in 350 degree oven for 1 1/2 hours.

Oh my goodness 😍 Hannah is beautiful and getting big so fast. Thank you for letting us see her. Thank you for being such a super Mom. Makes me feel so happy to see your older children helping you. There's just so much love in your home.

Looks like a wonderful week of meals. Thanks for sharing a peek into your family's life with us.

My parents raised 11 children and my mom & dad used paper plates after about the 8th or 9th child. So even though us kids washed dishes and cleaned the kitchen after meals it helped us get everything tidy a lot quicker! So in my humble opinion I think paper plates are wonderful😊

I just watched the Q & A with you and Adam and was wondering how many cows you have and how many laying hens you have?

I love seeing you use up everything, no waste! So many people waste so much. All the little dibs and dabs.. I do the same lol. The meals look wonderful. Made me hungry 😁. Not that my opinion matters but I think you do an awesome job raising your family. God bless❤

What a blessing to see your lovely children thanking God when they eat. You have served God well by teaching him to your children.

Every meal looked delicious. Enjoy these challenge meal videos. Lot of great ideas for using up leftovers. Hannah is growing fast. Happy New Years!!

Thx so much . I just love your videos. U r great speaker. Thx for taking viewers along on your life’s journey.

Jessica your videos are so uplifting, great start to my week!!!! Hannah is precious!!!

Great ideas for the pantry challenge! You got me baking this morning. Made an applesauce loaf ( gf with bobs Redmill 1 to 1), some mini cornbread muffins, 2 dozen chocolate chip cookies, a breakfast casserole, and a spaghetti squash for dinner. Baked them all at the same time to save energy. Thanks for the encouragement! Week one done!

Great vlog, but I must say my favourite parts are watching your children pray before a meal. You’re a wonderful mother, may God Bless you all

My favorite ❤️ tea/coffee time Sunday mornings with Jessica and family. Thank you for sharing.

While I’ve been following you for several months, along with a few other homesteaders I learn from, I have not tried before to chase down information that is shared below the video. I found the Applesauce load recipe and the fruit cobbler recipe but I do not see the others. I know it’s me missing something but can you direct me please?

Enjoyed seeing pictures of your family and with your sweet little Hannah! My Hannah was the youngest of five children and now she’s a grown godly woman with her sweet baby boy!😊 She was shown lots of love by her older sister and brothers! What a joy it was to watch the love between siblings.❤

I've been thinking. How can an old person who cooks for herself. By herself do this kind of challenge. When my husband was alive and the children were home. I Did Lot a home cooking. Has anybody got any ideas for me to start doing this for February. Thank you for any suggestions. I go to the store twice a month. I still do big pot cooking. Can't get out of that habit. So I put things in the freezer. God-bless you all. And the children are so well behaved. And taken care of their baby sister. You and Adam are blessed.

Do any of your younger children fight and argue about things ? I see how soft and caring they all are. I have a new 7 month old and I want to do things differently with him. My 6 and 8 year old are always poking and prodding each other and I really want to foster a better attitude with the baby. Do you have any tips for me ?

Did you have all your kids receive their infant shots according to the typical schedule? I was wondering why your oldest has 2 serious allergies.

Great video Jessica. How on earth did you get the time to do all that and look after 7 children & a newborn 👍👍🎉🎉🎉🥰🥰🥰

Hannah is growing so fast & looks very healthy & blessed! My mom & dad didn't cure the hams either when I was young... I think it was because they lacked the time & energy with 10 children 😏

Paper plate are definitely something I will be buying for baby #2, I struggle with dishes as it is! And I feel you! Such a convenience!!! 🥰🤗❤️ hope you're feeling well! ❤️

I’m not sure if the same is true in the US but most paper plates here are made from recycled paper so I don’t feel bad using them ..when you add up cost of water , detergent and time when bought in bulk they possibly work out cheaper than washing dishes 😊too ……….

Your life is very inspiring to me! As a young Christian aspiring to live a lifestyle similar to this it’s nice to see how your family does it❤

I'm trying the pantry challenge for the first time. I cooked chicken yesterday for three meals this week. Chicken tacos, chicken and rice and chicken salad.

I absolutely love pantry challenge time. I learn so much. It’s summer here downunder in Western Australia and very hot. But I got 20 kegs of apricots and I canned them. My mother used to keep the leftover syrups or juice (depending on what method she was using to can) and we would have it cold on our cereal. I’m not sure if I saw you or Becky of acre homestead reduce the syrup juice down but that’s what I did. It’s now in cans, waiting to be used in making ice cream. I hope you know how special you are to all of your subscribers. I pray that god will continue to bless you and your very sweet family. 🌹Rosie of Oz🇦🇺 & 🐶Omega the Cavalier🐶

Wait!! You can just boil whole potatoes for mashed potatoes?

I always make a bechamel sauce to my dairy free lasagna. That way it gets super juicy. You can even add nutritional yeast to the sauce for a cheesy flavour

Bulk ordering citrus...where can I order this from?

I love your pantry challenge videos because it gives me so many meal ideas! Thank you! How long do you bake your cobbler?

I am sitting here eating Sonic...you are teaching me it "is" possible to learn and eat healthy and push myself outside my comfort zone and save a ton of money and not to mention to be proud of myself! I stumbled on your channel&I am watching all your videos..your doing this with so much kindness with your babies&teaching them fundamental skills for their life and for their wife they will one day Marry! You are amazing 👏 ❤ 💖 💕

I love ❤️ paper plates!

When l first watched your vlogs I didn't like the way you cooked your food but I was wrongly accusing you l am ashamed of themselves, you have so many things to overcome and you are a great mother and home maker

My goodness - if the only thing someone takes away from this video is condemning the use of paper plates, I feel sorry for them! You are such a force to be reckoned with, Mama! Keep doing you 💕

May this year bring lots of health, wealth, love, and exciting new things to you and your beautiful family. Love watching your videos. Little Hannah is as perfect as they come. God bless you all 💜💜💜💜

The filming of this must be very challenging in a busy schedule. Thank you- I got several good ideas!

My pantry challenge seems miniature when compared to yours. Just me eating through the freezer, fridge and 'bursting at the seams' cupboard. But watching your videos and taking inspiration is just brilliant. Thank you for sharing your lives with us. xx

I was inspired by your video today to use my peach salsa to make the pork roast in the crockpot. Never thought of it before! And I kept the juices to use later in the week! I am not a homesteader, but a busy working mom who watches your videos and learns SO MUCH from you! Thank you!

How do you get your kids to eat what you make? Mine are so picky!! Most things I make, I serve to them and then it gets scraped in the trash can when they refuse to eat it. Alternative meals are not an option when I have made supper though.

Great looking meals! And precious new baby! Getting ready to watch your meal plan video now! I guess we are pigs... Most meals I cook for me and my husband are as big as yours for your family! Lol! And you use those paper plates! Just because we try to be frugal doesn't mean we have to live like we are in a third world country. It is ok to take advantage of convenience when it is helpful! Everything in moderation :)

Jessica, you look great 😊 thank you for your videos. It's not easy with all those babies I'm sure but you do an amazing job

Hannah is so beautiful! All of these meals looked so delicious 😋. I like how resourceful you are and you use every bit of food. Nothing goes to waste. The children are all growing and thriving. Good job Momma!

Lots of work one day makes for easy meals on another day!

Oh how I missed your challenge videos and what a nice surprise it was when I saw it on my feed. Your pantry challenge fascinates me and sometimes I pause a video to just spread it and enjoy it more like a good candy;) I feel so peaceful when watching it. I think you have this effect on many of us. I love everything you cook and how uncomplicated it is and just real because most of us don't live an instagram perfect life and we don't always have time to make a fancy meal and serve it in a fancy way. Thank you Jessica!! And what a pleasure to see your kids and especially glimpses of miss Hannah;)

Wow…it’s incredible what you do and how you use different ingredients infooods and put together amazing meals for your family. Absolutely incredible. I love watching your videos

I would freeze some of the convenience food such as some of the breads

I love watching the pantry challenge your recipes look so good. Just love the children pray before the meal. Your children are so well rounded and so well behaved to go out into the world when the time comes. Great job Jessica and Adam! Job well done. I also live in Ohio but southern part waiting for a good snow fall again!

I loved this! You encouraged me to do this myself. I plan to do this starting tomorrow! You are such a blessing. I occasionally do what I call my toss together meals in a pinch. I want to try to challenge myself for a week and maybe even more! I'll work from my refrigerator this week and my pantry next! I do need to hit my soon to expire items. This is perfect and the ideas I have now seem endless.

This is why I do the pantry challenge! We are often gifted seasoning mixes etc. As I don’t normally use the gifted items, they would sit on the shelf forever.