31 batch cooking recipes for freezing
Get inventive and batch cook these easy yet achievable recipes to enjoy now or freeze for later, from classic cottage pie and creamy coconut dahl to cook-from-frozen fish fingers and cinnamon buns
Looking for expert advice on recipes to freeze, the best ways to freeze food and clever ways in which you can use your freezer? Check out our guide to freezing food here. Plus, discover our best-ever freezer recipe ideas below, including family meals, recipes to batch cook and freeze for later, and ready-made breakfasts and desserts to whip out in emergencies (try the cinnamon rolls!).
Need some containers to freezer all your food in? Click here to buy an eight-piece container set, or invest in these reusable food bags
Easy recipes for batch cooking
Chicken tinga
This smoky, spicy Mexican one-pot freezes well if you have any leftover – serve in tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, or simply in bowls with rice and a dollop of yogurt as a comforting Friday night dinner.
Classic freezer fish pie
A comforting pie filled with white fish, smoked haddock, prawns and leeks, topped with fluffy mash, that you can make in advance and freeze.
Mini chicken, leek and mushroom pies
Beat the blues with these deliciously creamy individual chicken, leek and mushroom pot pies. Easy to make and suitable for freezing when you're in need of a quick midweek meal.
Pork pibil
Pork pibil is a great weekend slow-cook recipe, it may take a bit of time but it's very easy. This one-pot dish is low in calories and can feed up to eight people. Freeze and portion this pork pibil and give your midweek meals some Mexican zing.
Coconut dahl with naans
Make a batch of this vegetarian coconut dahl with naans and freeze for later. We've also included instructions on how to make the dahl in a slow cooker.
Lamb shank rogan josh
We use lamb shanks for our rogan josh – they're seriously tender and full of flavour. No need for a takeaway when you can devour these straight from the oven! Or simply freeze in portions for a warming and aromatic midweek meal.
Chicken normandy
Make a batch of this comforting, freezer-friendly chicken dish. If you fancy adding some fruit, cook cored apple wedges in a knob of butter until golden, then stir through before reheating.
Classic cottage pie
This is our take on a classic cottage pie. With rich beef and creamy mash, it's a long-standing family favourite and a good one to have in the freezer for emergencies.
Chicken, red pepper and olive cacciatore
This Italian one-pot is easy to make and freezes brilliantly, plus it's low cal and gluten-free. The recipe is easily halved if you only want to serve three or four people. Make one to eat now and one to freeze for later.
Classic freezer moussaka
Layers of minced lamb, potato and aubergine, covered in a white sauce and baked to make the classic Greek dish moussaka. Greek salad is all you need on the side. Eat now or freeze ahead.
Mini lamb hotpots
Make a batch of these mini lamb hotpots and freeze them for later. They're easy to make and under 500 calories each.
Lamb tagine
Spicy lamb tagine is a real crowd pleaser. It serves six so is great for feeding the family, or you can freeze it in smaller batches so that it'll do for several nights.
Easy hash browns
Make a batch of our clever, cook-from-frozen hash browns for lazy weekend brunches. They're easy to make and vegetarian.
Beef shin and red wine pie
This meaty pie is an indulgent, comforting family classic. Using beef shin keeps the cost down as it's a cheaper cut. You can easily freeze this ahead for a stress-free weekday meal.
Italian spaghetti and meatballs
This is a classic Italian staple that you can cook and eat now, or freeze for later. Serve with pasta for a delicious quick dinner during the week.
Batch-cook ossobuco
Nothing beats a classic ossobuco with gremolata. Freeze in portions for comforting midweek meals – serve with risotto, polenta or mash.
Ready-from-frozen calzones
It's easier to make this family favourite than you think with our recipe for spicy sausage calzones – plus they're freezer-friendly.
Baked-not-fried chicken
This is a brilliant lower calorie alternative to traditional fried chicken. It's also suitable for freezing, so make a big batch and have a ready stash of crispy, juicy chicken.
Smoked haddock and chive fishcakes
These smoked haddock and chive fishcakes will be loved by the whole family and are a handy standby for when you're too busy to cook. Eat half now and freeze the rest.
Cheshire cheese and walnut scones
Our freezable cheese scones take just 30 minutes to bake and make a great emergency snack that cooks straight from frozen. The toasted walnuts give them a little extra crunch.
Homemade frozen fish fingers
Have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes with these homemade cook-from-frozen fish fingers. This quick and easy crunchy fish fingers recipe makes for a great family meal.
Melanzane parmigiana
Make a batch of this Italian veggie classic to feed the whole family, or make two smaller dishes and freeze one for later. Plus, it's gluten-free.
Cook-from-frozen hash browns
Make a batch of our clever, cook-from-frozen hash browns for lazy weekend brunches. They're easy to make and vegetarian.
Dauphinoise potatoes
Dauphinoise potatoes are an absolute classic. We love the combination of cream, garlic and cheese smothered on thinly sliced potatoes, and it makes any meal feel more special. What's even better is that you can cook and eat this now, or freeze ahead to have ready when you need it.
Freezable dessert recipes
Freezer key lime pie
This freezes brilliantly, so it’s a great make-ahead pud for an easy dinner. It’s best to freeze it before the cream goes on top, then just add the topping before serving.
Apricot, blueberry and almond breakfast muffins
Banana and yogurt keep these muffins moist, while the butter, ground almonds and oats make them filling. No added sugar means you’re getting the day off to a good start, too.
Black forest profiteroles
With chocolate, double cream, black cherries and a splash of brandy, make and freeze these black forest cake inspired choux buns ahead of time to create a delicious, sophisticated dessert in minutes.
Easy cinnamon buns
Check out our easiest ever cinnamon buns. Bake and enjoy now or save for a weekend breakfast – just make sure to eat them warm from the oven.
Cinnamon gooseberry crumbles
This mini crumble recipe is really easy to follow for an individual pud. Make a batch and freeze some for when you need a sweet hit.
Spiced berry slump
A slump is similar to a cobbler but with less fuss. Berries bubbling through the topping give this a more rustic feel. It cooks from frozen with ease.
Brown butter frangipane and nectarine tart
Our brown butter frangipane tart is an impressive dessert to serve to a group of friends, or freeze for later.
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