Does anyone batch cook on a weekend for meals for the following week?

[QueenOfIce]

I'm thinking of starting to batch cook on a Saturday and put mon-fri meals in those little boxes and either freeze or refrigerate.

I am so fed up off cooking, planning each meal and shopping, dh does cook but he's not great. We like pretty healthy foods I'm not a pasta fan at all.

If you also do this what sort of meals do you make and does it ruin the nutritional value very much when you reheat?

[DeepfriedPizza]

We don't always batch cook on a weekend but we often cook double on the night we are doing it. For example, tonight we are having curry, I am making it for 4 instead of for 2. I sometimes don't have half a day at the weekend to do it and this way it takes no more extra time.

Saying that last weekend was quiet so DH done some batch cooking.
He made:
Lentil soup
taco mince
meatballs in tomato sauce
chicken fajita innards

[Ricekrispie22]

Salmon and broccoli fish cakes
Tomato Quiche
Moussaka
Chilli con carne
Fish pie
Bean burgers

[TeeBee]

Yep, I do. This week I've done beef bourginon, bolognese, chicken in red wine sauce (in the slow cooker), leek and potato soup.

[QueenOfIce]

Lots of good ideas, thank you

[FusionChefGeoff]

Rather than set aside a whole day, I just make masses every time I cook which generally leaves at least one meal for the freezer, alternate that with quick meals eg jackets / omelettes / chicken Kievs etc then by the end of the week you'd have 3 freezer meals..

Makes it less of a chore IMHO

[LtGreggs]

I'm also one for cooking double when possible.

That said, I've done batch of carrot & lentil soup and batch of veggie chilli this weekend, both for freezer. Batch-cook-reheat works best for 'wet' things like stew, chilli, mince etc.

Part-baked rolls/baguettes freeze really well and bake from frozen - that's a good option to make eg soup or stew in to a hearty dinner and even easier than potatoes or rice. Also the pre-cooked rice or grain pouches are good (if pricey) to serve alongside as instant "proper" dinner.

[ChaircatMiaow]

Do you all take them straight from the freezer and reheat or do you need to take them out the night before?

[snewsname]

I don't have a set time to batch cook but when I cook I always do huge quantities in massive pots that freeze into loads of portions. I then do another load as and when I run out. Ikea do huge pots which aren't that expensive. Make sure it is one that goes in the oven as well as on the hob. For example I make a chili that would separate into 4 meals for 4 people and may even stretch to a couple of single portions too. For this I would use 3 of the huge packs of mince from tesco, about 4/5 tins of kidney beans, probably 7/8 tins of tomatoes and bulk it out with a tin of lentils or tin of mashed carrots as well as lots of the mushrooms and onions..
As well as other pp's suggestions, I also batch cook cheese sauce so I can make a quick macaroni cheese or can add to batch cooked Bolognese to make quick lasagne.

[BrutusMcDogface]

I reheat from frozen! I add water to taco mince but everything else is fine (curry, bolognese etc) I wouldn't recommend heating cheese sauce from frozen though as it went a bit Lumpy...think I did it for too long. I freeze cheese sauce in freezer bags and defrost in warm water before putting in a pan to heat up.

[Thebluedog]

I batch cook mainly for the kids, but I batch cook and freeze:

Plain pasta
Pasta chicken and bacon in a tomato sauce
Shepherds pie
Chilli
Several different types of curry
Mashed potato
Sausages
Spaghetti Bol
Chicken gumbo

I also use the microwave rice and micro baked potato too as it’s quicker.

I generally reheat from frozen, at least this way I know the kids get a home cooked meal. I go in fits and starts with the batch cooking. Sometimes I’m really motivated to do it other weekends I can’t be arsed

[Thebluedog]

Ohh I forgot stews, meatballs or I over cook meals and set aside what’s left over. One pot things are generally good

[QueenOfIce]

Thanks all, I was thinking more along the lines of those food delivery type things, so cook 5 days worth of meals put them in those portion boxes and either freeze or refrigerate.

I do often make double but I am sick of cooking most nights!