Our Top Freezer Meals

Freezing is the ultimate way to make your food go further and is the perfect option when you've had a long day at work and need something hearty and comforting in no time.

We particularly love batch cooking to make sure we always have lots of leftovers on hand, and these are our top picks for the best freezer-friendly meals. Plus, the freezer is just a great way to save any wilting fruit, veg, herbs, dairy and wine (yes you read that right).

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.

Here are some of our top freezing tips if you're looking to reduce your food waste and save time.

Top Freezing Tips:

• Freezing things in individual portions is very handy if you are cooking for one or two people more frequently. (If you're looking for more advice on what you can freeze see our feature on 13 foods you didn't know you could freeze.)

• Check the freezing times for individual ingredients so you can make the best of your produce.

• Check what you can actually freeze - the list might surprise you.

• Vegetarian recipes will keep longer than recipes containing meat.

• Always safely de-frost by slowly thawing in the fridge (forward planning is necessary here).

• Re-usable food bags allow for more space-efficient stacking than freezer-safe boxes. Just fill the bags, remove the air before sealing and freeze them flat so they can be stacked neatly.

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

• Label everything clearly with a marker or label maker as all meals starts to look the same when frozen. The Good Housekeeping Institute has advice on 10 tips make the most of your freezer to avoid this happening.

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

Shaped to resemble grains of barley, orzo is a type of pasta that adds an interesting texture to soups and increases your pasta repertoire. We think this is a great hearty meal and it's great to make in advance and then freeze.

Freeze Ahead

Prepare to end of step 2, then leave to cool completely. Transfer mixture to a freezer-proof container, cover and freeze for up to three months.

Recipe: Lamb and Orzo Stew

A family favourite made extra luxurious for special occasions, this fish pie is particularly good for Christmas.

Freeze Ahead

Allow to cool fully, cover with buttered foil and wrap tightly in clingfilm, then freeze for up to 2 months.

Recipe: Luxury Bisque Fish Pie

This hearty and warming stew flavoured with cinnamon is packed with slow-cooked vegetables and just the thing for a cold day.

Freeze ahead

Prepare to end of step 3. Cool, transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 1 month.

Recipe: Greek-inspired lamb stew

Comfort food that's ideal for a vegetarian family meal or sharing with friends.

Freeze Ahead

Prepare up to end of step 5, then cover in foil or clingfilm and freeze.

Recipe: Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Pasta

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

Monkfish and prawns make this worthy of a dinner party.

Freeze Ahead

Wrap cooled naan breads individually in clingfilm; freeze for up 3 months. For the curry; after cooking the monkfish and before heating the prawns, cool the curry. Transfer to a freezeable container and freeze for up to 2 months.

Recipe: Goan Fish Curry with Garlic and Coriander Naans

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

The flavours of pork and fennel work wonderfully together - we reckon this lasagne recipe will become a new favourite.

Freeze ahead

Prepare to end of step 4. Cool, wrap well and freeze for up to 1 month.

Recipe: Sausage and Fennel Lasagne

There's no need to brown the meat for this beef stew recipe, so it couldn't be easier.

Freeze Ahead

Prepare to end of step 2, then allow to cool completely. Transfer to an airtight container and freeze for up to a month.

Recipe: Beef Stew with Dumplings Recipe

If you want to stretch this dish to feed more mouths, add in another tin of coconut milk and 200g (7oz) more prawns.

Freeze ahead

Prepare to end of step 4. Cool, transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 1 month. To serve, defrost in fridge, reheat in a pan until piping hot and complete recipe.

Recipe: Keralan-Style Prawn and Coconut Curry

Even meat eaters will be fully satisfied with these morsels.

Freeze Ahead

Fry the meatballs then leave to cool completely. Open freeze on a baking sheet and when solid, bag or box the balls and freeze for up to three months.

Recipe: Meatless Meatballs

A timeless dinner party staple, our recipe uses brioche for a decadent, sweet stuffing and can be cooked from frozen.

Freeze Ahead

Make to end of step 4, then tightly wrap each breast in clingfilm and put into one sealable bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Recipe: Pancetta Chicken Parcels with Brioche Stuffing

This shepherd's pie recipe is a classic for good reason, it's cheap and tasty.

Freeze ahead

Assemble the pie in step 6, but don’t cook. Cool, wrap well and freeze for up to 1 month.

Recipe: Shepherd's Pie

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 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

A bit of effort is required to make these oozy mushroom, kale and cheese pastries, but we promise that even the most hardened meat eaters will fall for their charms. Easy to cook from frozen to impress veggie visitors, too.

Freeze Ahead

Make to end of step 5 (no need to chill) and freeze uncooked Wellingtons on trays until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 1 month.

Recipe: Mini Mushroom Wellingtons

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

This stew can be enjoyed as is, or is great for batch cooking and freezing so you always have a home-cooked meal to hand. This stew is wonderful as the base for a mash- or pastry-topped pie or finished with homemade dumplings.

Freeze ahead:

Cool completely, transfer to an airtight container and freeze up to 1 month.

Recipe: Pesto Chicken Stew

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 American classic includes 3 types of cheeses, and is transformed by a drizzle of luxurious truffle oil.

Freeze Ahead

Make recipe up to end of step 3, spoon into serving dishes, then freeze.

Recipe: Luxury Truffle Mac and Cheese

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 signature dish is a true one-pan wonder. Good enough to serve at a dinner party!

Freeze ahead

Complete recipe but don’t sprinkle with tarragon. Cool, transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 1 month.

Recipe: Chicken Tarragon

What’s even better than a curry? A pastry-topped one of course! This would also be great with turkey breast instead of chicken thighs, if you like.

Freeze Ahead

The cooked pie can be frozen. Cool completely then wrap well and freeze.

Recipe: Chicken Tikka Masala Pie

Hearty and nourishing, this stew is sure to banish the autumn chill.

Freeze Ahead

Complete recipe but don't heat once beans are added. Cool, then transfer to a freezer-proof container, cover and freeze for up to two months.

Recipe: Lentil, Bean and Banger Stew

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

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

Perfect for a Bonfire night dinner, make this quick and simple recipe even easier by asking your butcher to make your sausage whorls for you.

Freeze Ahead

Make the mash ahead and freeze. To reheat, defrost completely, add a splash of milk and heat through. Sausage whorls can be frozen. Defrost fully before cooking according to recipe instructions.

Recipe: Catherine Wheel Sausages with Celeriac and Apple Mash

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

Dousing the avocado in lime juice will help it stay green even after cooking or freezing so this is a great make-ahead dish. You can make this dish with pork fillet, too.

Freeze Ahead

Prepare to end of step 3, wrap well in clingfilm and freeze for up to 1 month.

Recipe: Chicken and Sweetcorn Enchiladas

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 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

Turkey mince is a great low fat alternative to beef and lamb mince. Try it in this delicious seasonal burger recipe.

Freeze Ahead

Brush each burger with oil on both sides. Put in a large freezer-proof container lined with baking parchment. Seal and freeze for up to three months.

Recipe: Turkey Burgers with Crisp Onion Rings

These pizzas each serve two people so, when you have some time on your hands, make a batch an stash them away in your freezer. It's also adaptable, so you can top it with your favourite ingredients.

Freeze Ahead

Prepare pizza up to end of step 5 and cool completely. Open freeze on the baking tray until solid, then wrap the pizza (off the tray) well in clinfgilm and freeze for up to 1 month.

Recipe: Pizza Fiorentina

We’ve used tinned crab to save some pennies, but use fresh white crab meat instead, if you prefer.

Freeze Ahead

Complete recipe, leave to cool completely in tin, then wrap well in clingfilm and freeze for up to 1 month.

Recipe: Crab Quiche