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Putting aside some time to get batch cooking and filling your freezer is a perfect future time-and-sanity saver when it comes to feeding your family.
This collection of batch cooking ideas is filled with recipes that are ideal for busy weeks, if you’re a new parent or just someone who is juggling. You will thank your future self for a little dedicated time in the kitchen when you’re reaping the rewards on a hectic weeknight!
Struggling to find the brain space and time to think of dinner during the week?
Me too!
Over the years I’ve realised that if I can keep even just a handful of precooked homemade meals ready (either in the freezer or the fridge), it makes my week so much calmer.
Why batch cook?
Batch cooking is actually a form of self care in these busy times we live it!
I mostly do this by doubling up a recipe a couple of times a week when I cook dinner, or putting aside a quiet day when I can load up on ingredients and spend a blissful few hours in the kitchen.
Want to get ideas for dinner next week? Try out my Weekly Meal Plans, which come with a free detailed shopping list.
Batch cooking tips
➡️ FREEZER SPACE: Try to clear some space in your freezer before you cook to make sure there’s room for everything as you don’t want anything going to waste.
That said, if you don’t have freezer space, it’s still worth batch cooking for later in the week, as long as you store things well in the fridge. You can always eat a different version of the same meal, for example.
➡️ FOOD HYGIENE: Read this advice from the Food Standards Agency about freezing food if you’re unsure. Basically, if you have defrosted meat or fish, then cooked it, it’s fine to refreeze again once. However, you shouldn’t refreeze it again raw.
➡️ STORAGE: Which container you should use depends on the size and style of your batch cook. I try to stay away from single use plastic where possible but it can be very tricky!
For foil trays I use these disposable ones, which are great for pies and lasagnes etc. You could also use plastic containers with lids or heavy duty food bags like these, which I really recommend.
BATCH COOKING IDEAS ON A BUDGET
You will find that almost all of my recipes are made with budget and convenience in mind. I don’t focus too much on authenticity or the long way around a recipe. It’s all about what tastes good, what is healthy, what is quick and how can we keep costs down.
Batch cooking ideas for beginners
Don’t worry if you’re not an accomplished cook! My recipes are easy-to-follow and are not overly complicated.
Below you will find a huge variety of dishes, from curries to soups, stews to pies, breakfast muffins to gravy and much more! There is a good selection of vegetarian options too.
Notes on these batch cooking recipe
⭐️ All of the recipes below link to the respective recipe pages, which include portion sizes, nutrition and information for each meal.
⭐️ I always like to include some soup recipes in my freezer filling as these make a really quick shortcut meal when we are late home.
⭐️All of the portion sizes are for adult portions. If you’re feeding children they will obviously make even more.
⭐️ If you’d like to get ahead but don’t have the time to batch cook, you could try using my Dump Bag method instead. This is when you put the ingredients into a food bag and freeze them, meaning all you have to do is defrost it and add everything to your slow cooker on the day!
Here are the batch cooking recipes:
4.88 from 62 votes
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork {The BEST Recipe!}
The ultimateSlow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe– Smothered in honey and chipotle, this easy crock pot pork shoulder creates a delicious sticky and smoky sauce. A winning base for so many meals, thispulled porkfreezes well too.
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4.73 from 90 votes
Easy Chicken Curry {Quick & Healthy}
This is a delicious, healthy and easy Chicken Curry recipe for those days without much time or energy. You'll have a tasty, satisfying meal on the table in about 30 minutes.
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5 from 21 votes
Easy Spaghetti Bolognese {with Hidden Vegetables!}
This classic easySpaghetti Bolognese recipe is delicious AND it has hidden vegetables! A perfect batch cook recipe and midweek win for family dinners.
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5 from 20 votes
Shepherd’s Pie {Easiest Ever Recipe}
This easy, comforting Simple Shepherd's Pie recipe is the perfect antidote toa cold winter's day. It is also ideal for batch cooking and freezing ahead of time. It's hearty, delicious and perfect for the whole family.
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4.99 from 159 votes
Easy Chicken Pie {with Bacon & Puff Pastry}
Thissimple recipe for Chicken Pie has everything you need in a comfort food pie. With its tasty meat, extra veggies, creamy sauce and light fluffy pastry topping, it's an ideal and simple homemade pie.
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5 from 4 votes
Meal Prep Breakfast Muffins
Make a batch of these delicious Bacon and Egg Breakfast Muffins ahead of time, then all you have to do is heat them up for those mornings in a hurry. Comfort food to get your day going!
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5 from 175 votes
Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala {SO EASY!}
This tomatoey, creamy-based curry is perfect for a family fakeaway. Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala is not only simple, it's super tasty too.
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4.95 from 35 votes
Chilli Con Carne {Easiest Ever Recipe}
This Chilli Con Carne recipe is packed with minced beef and red kidney beans. The BEST version of the family classic!
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5 from 126 votes
Sweet and Sour Chicken {Slow Cooker Fakeaways}
Replicate a takeaway favourite at home by trying this delicious Sweet and Sour Chicken in the slow cooker. Perfect for weekends or entertaining.
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5 from 221 votes
Sticky Beef Mince Stir Fry
With low cost ingredients, a delicious sticky sauce and a cooking time of 15 minutes, this is an ideal midweek beef mince recipe.
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5 from 46 votes
Slow Cooker Lamb Curry {Easiest EVER Recipe!}
ThisSlow Cooker Lamb Curryis mixed up in just 5 minutes. This ‘fakeaway’ also happens to be packed with extra veg and super tasty.
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5 from 153 votes
Slow Cooker Beef Stew {with Rich Gravy}
Slow Cooker Beef Stew or Slow Cooker Beef Casserole? Whatever you call it, it’s comfort food at its very best. A hearty meal packed with flavour, vegetables and rich gravy for the whole family.
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4.99 from 95 votes
Keema Curry {Easy Beef Mince Recipe!}
This Keema Curryis a really simple mince beef recipe. Cooked in under 30 minutes, it's delicious enough for a weekend fakeaway and easy enough for a midweek meal too.
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5 from 145 votes
Slow Cooker Sausage Casserole {EASY recipe!}
With a rich tomato and bean sauce with added veggies, this easy Slow Cooker Sausage Casserole is a hearty midweek dinner.
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5 from 86 votes
Steak Pie {Easiest EVER Recipe!}
ThisSteak Pie recipe has everything you need in a comfort food pie. Tastyhome cooked meat, delicious gravy and light fluffy pastry topping.
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4.93 from 56 votes
Easy Fish Pie
This EasyFish Pierecipe with deliciouscheesy mash topping is the ultimate comfort food. It has a really simple sauce, involves no pre-cooking the fish, just assemble for a delicious, hearty favourite.
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4.95 from 478 votes
Slow Cooker Beef Curry
ThisSlow Cooker Beef Curryis mixed up in just 5 minutes, no preparation required. A tasty 'fakeaway' it also happens to be light and healthy.
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5 from 315 votes
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken {with Sticky Sauce}
This recipe forHoney Garlic Chicken is cooked in the slow cooker with just 5 minutes preparation needed. It cooks up a sticky, Asian-style sauce and super tender meat.
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4.95 from 359 votes
Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole {with Crispy Bacon}
This Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole recipe is so quick to prepare. The stew is packed with vegetables and in a delicious creamy sauce with crispy bacon bits. Cosiness in a bowl!
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4.85 from 92 votes
Easy Teriyaki Chicken {with Sticky Sauce}
This Teriyaki Chicken recipe with a delicious sticky sauce makes a brilliant, quick, healthy, midweek meal. No need to marinate, juststir fry and serve.
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4.94 from 713 votes
Slow Cooker Chicken Curry – easiest EVER recipe
This healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Curry is SO incredibly easy. No browning, no preparation. Just leave it to bubble away and come home to the most delicious, creamy but light, coconut milk curry.
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4.46 from 46 votes
Beef and Guinness Stew
This traditional Irish Beef and Guinness Stew is the most delicious and hearty comfort food for the whole family. Slow cooked for meltingly soft and tender beef and ale flavours.
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4.78 from 27 votes
Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
This rich, flavour-filled and aromatic Chicken Cacciatore (a hearty, rustic Italian-style stew) is a perfect slow cooker recipe for a midweek dinner that the whole family will love.
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4.63 from 27 votes
Sweet Potato Cottage Pie
This healthy, hearty Sweet Potato Cottage Pie recipe makes the perfect comforting family dinner. Make a double batch of this British classic for the double win – one for now, one for the freezer!
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4.52 from 94 votes
Easy Lamb Keema Curry
A delicious, quick and easy, family-friendly Lamb Keema Curry recipe. Perfect for a midweek dinner or weekend fakeaway. Here's how to make one of the tastiest and easiest curry recipes.
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5 from 37 votes
Slow Cooker Gravy {Make Ahead}
This is the ultimate gravy recipe for convenience and flavour. It's roasted then slow cooked for depth of flavour, making it perfect to make ahead for a special meal.
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Vegetarian batch cook recipes:
4.79 from 90 votes
Easy Courgette Fritters {with Feta Cheese}
These Easy Courgette and Feta Fritters are as simple as they are delicious. Oven-bake for a healthy, golden finish and enjoy as finger food or as part of a meal. Packed with flavour and mouth-wateringly good.
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5 from 25 votes
Vegetarian Cottage Pie
This easy Vegetarian Cottage Pie recipe is filled with goodness, is wonderfully hearty and totally delicious. Comfort food that’s so good and full of flavour and texture, even meat eaters will love this dish.
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5 from 27 votes
Easy Tomato Soup {Storecupboard Ingredients}
An easy Tomato Soup recipe from store cupboard ingredients, swirled with pesto, and ready in just 20 minutes.
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4.68 from 28 votes
Broccoli and Cauliflower Soup {Easy 20 Minute Recipe}
This easy Broccoli and Cauliflower Soup recipe makes a quick family lunch or no-fuss dinner. Full of nutrients and flavour, you can batch cook for convenience and use frozen veg for a super quick method!
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5 from 48 votes
Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup
This Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup is a fantastic ‘dump recipe’ – one of those favourites where you can stick all the ingredients in together and let the slow cooker do the rest. Out comes delicious, hearty, healthy soup after just a few hours!
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5 from 40 votes
Cheesy Vegetarian Pie {with Puff Pastry}
This quick and easy Cheesy Vegetarian Pie is ready in 40 minutes and is packed full of veggies and cheese for that hearty, delicious flavour.
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4.99 from 128 votes
Sweet Potato & Peanut Butter Vegan Stew {Slow Cooker Recipe}
ThisSweet Potato & Peanut Butter Vegan Stewis comforting, creamy and totally delicious. Perfect for vegetarians, vegans or if you just want to reduce your meat intake.
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4.88 from 56 votes
Vegetarian Moussaka
This simple Vegetarian Moussaka is made with aubergines, potatoes and courgettes, topped with a creamy cheese sauce. It's a delicious family-friendly recipe that makes a great midweek meal, and is also perfect to batch cook and freeze for later.
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4.87 from 15 votes
Easy Courgette Soup {with Parmesan}
This simple and tastyCourgette Soup recipe makes an easy lunch or simple dinner in less than half an hour. It's gluten free, easily made dairy free and vegetarian – perfect for the whole family.
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4.77 from 17 votes
Courgette Lasagne {with Double Cheese Topping}
This super healthy and delicious vegetarian Courgette Lasagne is perfect for family suppers and is the ideal for a meat lasagne alternative.
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4.96 from 62 votes
Easy Butternut Squash Curry {Ready in 30 Minutes}
This vegan Butternut Squash Curry recipe is a deliciously comforting and nourishing dish. It’s also easy, ready in 30 minutes, is full of flavour and the whole family will love it.
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Welcome!
Hi, I'm Sarah. I help busy people decide 'What's for Dinner?' Find hundreds of recipes here, and also in my bestselling recipe book. Hope my recipes make your life easier ❤️
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