Our Top Freezer Meals

If you're a fan of batch cooking, then these top freezer meals will come in handy. A freezer is very useful when it comes to batch cooking recipes as it ensures you can have a varied diet throughout the week, rather than having to eat the same meal everyday before it goes off.

Top Freezing Tips:

• Freezing things in individual portions can be very useful if you are cooking for 1 or 2 more frequently.

• Check the freezing times for individual ingredients.

• Check what can be frozen.

• Vegetarian recipes will keep longer than recipes containing meat.

• Always safely de-frost.

• Re-usable food bags allow for more efficient storage opportunity than freezer-safe boxes. Just try to freeze the full bags flat so they can be stacked neatly.

• Get rid of the air in reusable food bags before sealing to create more space in your freezer.

• Think about the re-heating of food and if an ingredient is supposed to be eaten cold, then don’t add this to the recipe until you’re ready to serve.

• Label everything clearly as all meals starts to look the same when frozen!

• If you have a big enough freezer, freeze things like lasagnes in a freezer-safe oven proof dish, to make it easier to reheat.

This classic Italian vegetarian main can be prepared ahead and cooked from frozen.

Freeze Ahead

Prepare to end of step 3 (no need to preheat oven), making sure your dish is freezer-safe. Wrap and freeze for up to 1 month.

Recipe: Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni

You can swap the cod for another white fish, haddock would work well, too. Up the chilli if you like things a little spicier.

Freeze Ahead:

Prepare to end of step 5. Stack patties into a freezer-safe container, separating each layer with baking parchment. Cover and freeze for up to 1 month.

Recipe: Cod and Saag Aloo Fish Cakes

These parcels are perfect for freezing ahead as they can be cooked form frozen.

Freeze ahead

Prepare to end of step 3. Wrap in clingfilm, trying not to squash the filo too much. Freeze for up to 1 month.

Recipe: Lamb and Lentil Filo Parcels

This spicy stew is rich and creamy and can be served on its own or with rice. Be aware that Scotch bonnets do vary considerably in heat, so go slowly if you are heat-cautious!

Freeze ahead

Prepare to end of step 3. Cool completely. Transfer to a freezerproof container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

Recipe: West African Chicken and Peanut Stew

For when you can’t decide between curry and pie – have both!

Freeze ahead

Prepare to end of step 4 (but don’t preheat oven). Wrap in clingfilm and freeze for up to 3 months.

Recipe: Curried Chicken Pie

The aubergine acts as the pasta in this recipe. If you can’t find a pack of sausage meat, squeeze out the same weight of meat from your favourite bangers.

Freeze ahead

Prepare to end of step 4. Cool completely, wrap in clingfilm and freeze for up to 3 months.

Recipe: Sausage and Aubergine Lasagne

Fragrant Thai curry paste and lime juice give this hearty soup punch.

Freeze ahead

Prepare to end of step 1. Cool completely, then stir in the mangetout, cannellini beans and lime zest and juice. Decant into a freezeproof bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

Recipe: Thai-Style Minestrone

Fish pie gets an American makeover, topped with fluffy scone-like dumplings made with tangy cream cheese and smoked salmon.

Freeze ahead

Prepare to end of step 3. Cool, wrap and freeze for up to 1 month.

Recipe: Creamy Smoked Salmon Cobbler

This warming stew is packed full of flavour, with a hearty base and fresh salsa verde topping. If you can’t find mixed beans, use any other tinned or combination of tinned of beans you like.

Freeze ahead

Prepare stew up to the addition of the cabbage. Leave to cool completely, then freeze for up to 1 month.

Recipe: Mixed Bean Stew with Salsa Verde

These salmon and prawn fishcakes are zesty and fragrant in equal measure. You could swap the salmon for another meaty fish such as cod.

Freeze ahead:

Prepare to end of step 4. Layer in a freezer-safe container between baking parchment and freeze for up to 1 month.

Recipe: Lime and Coriander Fish Cakes

The whole family will enjoy these rolled pizza breads, crammed full of flavour and oozing with cheesiness. If you’re cooking for veggies, omit the mortadella and pepperoni and make sure to use vegetarian mozzarella.

Freeze ahead:

Assemble and cook stromboli, then cool completely. Wrap well individually and freeze up to 1 month.

Recipe: Stromboli

Use any sustainably sourced fish you fancy in this crispy golden pie.

Freeze ahead:

Prepare to end of step 3, leaving the white sauce and rösti topping to cool completely before assembling. Wrap dish well and freeze for up to 1 month.

Recipe: Rösti-Topped Fish Pie

If you like things a little more fiery, add a finely chopped red chilli to your stew along with the garlic and spices.

Freeze ahead:

Make stew to end of step 2. Cool completely and freeze for up to 1 month.

Recipe: Fragrant Lamb and Chickpea Stew with Spiced Flatbreads

Flaxseed is the secret to these protein-packed black bean and mushroom 'meatballs' – it helps bind and keep them moist in the absence of meat, eggs or cheese.

Freeze ahead:

Prepare to end of step 7. Cool and freeze 'meatballs', sauce and mash separately, for up to 1 month.

Recipe: Smoky Porcini Vegan Meatballs and Creamy Mash

This showstopper tart takes a little while to put together, but is so delicious it’s worth the effort – and as it can be completely made and frozen ahead, you have an impressive meal for guests ready and waiting.

Freeze ahead

Cool tart completely in tin, wrap well and freeze for up to 1 month.

Recipe: Butternut, Cavolo Nero and Goat’s Cheese Tart

The perfect get-ahead winter warmer. Swap the thyme for rosemary or sage, if you like.

Freeze Ahead

Prepare to end of step 4 (no need to preheat oven) and leave the pork to cool completely before topping with the cobbler. Wrap and freeze for up to 1 month.

Recipe: Pork and Cheddar Cobbler

This pork-pie style pie is made with ham, chicken and pistachios.

Freeze ahead:

Prepare to end of step 9 and freeze cooked pie whole, or in slices, well-wrapped for up to 1 month.

Recipe: Chicken, Pistachio and Ham Pie

This hearty dish is deliciously versatile. Serve simply as a stew once you’ve stirred the duck back in (reheating on the hob first briefly if needed) or, as is more traditional, baked with a crispy breadcrumb topping.

Freeze Ahead:

Prepare to end of step 5. Cool then freeze cassoulet mixture and breadcrumbs separately for up to 3 months.

Recipe: Duck Cassoulet