Will this work to stop us buying takeaways?

[AgesAndAges]

We need to cut back on takeaways, more for the expense than anything else. DH and I would generally have one maybe every 10 days- 2 weeks, and the kids would probably get a maccys every 2 weeks too. Not too often in the greater scheme of things, but it's costing us about 100 a month that could be better spent elsewhere.

Problem is, we have a few busy days in the week when there are different clubs and activities, and it's just easier to go for the quick option. I've had an idea that maybe if I buy a good stock of freezer convenience food, we'll be less likely to end up with takeaways on the no time/can't be arsed evenings. I generally cook from scratch every other day so I'm sure a few frozen pizzas won't hurt.

Will this work? What kind of frozen convenience foods are worthy replacements for takeaways?

Instead of batch cooking, just make more of what you're cooking anyway and put one or two portions in the freezer (clearly labelled!). Just keep a bit of what's in there so you know your options.

Mashed potato freezes really well - if we have shepherds pie, I always mash a whole bag of spuds and freeze portions of mash for a quick sausage & mash weekday meal.

Jamie Oliver has some great fakeaway recipes in Save With Jamie - not all of them are quick though.

*keep a list

Iceland sell "one pan" meals such as paella, bolognese, curries, risotto that you just chuck in a pan and cook from frozen. They serve 2 and and cheap and tasty. I used to get them in for easy things to cook when my middle child was a baby. Takes about 15 mins in total to cook.

There are some good "takeaway" style frozen pizzas. I think theyre Chicago Town and Aldi (of course) do a knock off version.

As pp have said, frozen burgers in a bun, chicken and beef can be quite nice with some oven chips or onion rings.

I like cooking too but we always have a few things in for a freezer tea if we can't be bothered too.

DS plays academy football 5-6 times a week.

On the days he plays he eats sandwiches or wraps in the car after a full cooked meal at school. Half through training he eats a peanut butter oat ball (google it). Full of instant and slow release energy. That sorts him out.

I had this same thought recently, for the same reason as you. But then realised I don't really have the freezer space and I don't like going shopping regularly, so it never took off in this household. Tortellini's a good one to have in. Five minutes to cook, bit of butter, parmesan and black pepper or a jarred sauce. That's my go to easy meal on busy days. And eggs of some kind on toast. But that really doesn't fulfil the psychological/emotional need for a takeaway...

I'm in the habit of cooking or prepping dinners the night before so they can just be bunged in the microwave or oven with no thought.
It's extra work in the evening but I'm always glad of it come dinner time.

I always batch cook burgers, meatballs and meatloaf (slice up then freeze)
It’s so easy to make burgers for the kids or spaghetti meatballs. It doesn’t seem the same as batch cooking ‘wet’ food.
There’s nothing wrong with frozen pizza every now and then.

DS loves the fresh pasta ravioli type things and sauce as a quick tea. Only takes 5 minutes to cook the pasta and the sauce goes in the microwave. Link
www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/promotions/A32690347

We have 3 - 4 nights where it's a rush so my go to easy meals are:

Sausages with instant mash, tinned carrots, frozen peas & instant gravy.

Frozen pizza & salad.

Pasta with a jar of sauce & frozen garlic bread slices.

Egg fried rice with a bag of microwave rice, handful of frozen peas & sweetcorn & then a couple of eggs cracked it & cooked quickly.

Frozen cheese & veg pies & oven chips

Scrambled eggs & beans on toast.

I also like chilled foods which can also be frozen - Aldi's fishcakes are all good. And I also find frozen non meat substitute veggie options good too - things like cauliflower cheese bakes, sweet potato and beanburgers etc. Chips, pizza, garlic bread. Jacket potatoes are also quick if you microwave them for 10 mins first - blast in microwave then oven for 10-15 mins to finish off.

M&S ready meals are cheaper than takeaway.

My quick meal is pasta fried bacon ( and onions, mushrooms, peppers , whatever is going a bit wrinkly) add chopped tinned tomatoes Tabasco/ soy/ w'shire. Reduce to thicken a bit, drain pasta chuck it and tomato & bacon back in the pan add treated cheese, stir serve it can be ready in 15 mins.

I cook my own rice and veg and then a Chinese or Thai is much cheaper. Also means that there will be enough for the next day. Equally I will cook a couple Indian veg dishes with my curry and naan order. Makes it all healthier, too, but it's little effort to put rice on while DP phones in the order and it's done by the time food arrives.

thebatchlady.com/. I hear she’s got it sorted.

Sometimes we get a selection of frozrn party food to have in the freezer for can't be arsed to cook nights.

Chips, onion rings, spring rolls, breaded mushrooms, chicken skerewrs.

A couple of oven trays and a few dips make a good cheap treat.

A lot of what we do has been suggested, but one of our favourites is quick fried rice.
Pack of microwaveable rice (we buy firecracker as we like so you food but any will do), ready cooked chicken or pork either leftovers or deli meat, Frozen peas and sweet corn, an egg and soy sauce.
Stir fry the meat in oil, throw in the rice and veg then add the egg to the bottom of the wok and scramble into the rice mix. Add soy sauce to taste and serve.
Takes 10 minutes max and the whole family love it.

fluffiest frozen party food is Ds favourite treat

We have one day a week where we have a freezer or convenience meal cos kids clubs mean we have v little time at home. They like

Pizza, doughballs, raw veg sticks
Aldi chicken tempura (15 mins in oven) with stir fried rice (ready cooked packet rice) and tinned sweetcorn
Chicken kievs, chips and peas
Tacos (one of those packs where you just cook the mince with the taco seasoning for 10 mins). Served with chopped lettuce, tomato and grated cheese.

On busy nights we have scrambled egg, beans and toast, blts, fish finger sandwich with salad, jacket potatoes (microwaved or slow cooker) with tuna / beans/ cheese and salad, pizza, freezer fish and chips.

This isnt an ad, but we've started using HelloFresh for our meals during the week. They are convenient, healthy, quick to make and actually really tasty! It works well for us and our busy schedule esp. as hubby and both work late 3 times a week. We were struggling to find quick tasty meals to cook (I have no time for batch cooking either!) and always ended up having the same thing. This option has broadened our taste buds and actually saved us money. I dont spend anywhere near as much as if I did a big supermarket shop.

Get yourself down to the coop. They have a freezer meal deal. It changed every week or 2 (I can't remember) it costs a fiver. It is usually something like... big bag of chips, fish fingers, frozen veg, ice cream and onion rings. OR frozen wedges, crispy chicken, veg, garlic bread, ice cream. Etc... I think it is always 5 things and usually branded stuff too! It is a bargain for these sorts of dinners! You could stock up!

I've always got some of that fresh stuffed pasta and a pot of sauce in the freezer for days I don't have time to cook.

I'm another one who doesn't get on with batch cooking - not sure why.

I do also always have eggs in as we all like omelettes with piles of cheese and some oven chips. What about scrambled eggs for the DCs? Or just good old beans on toast is another favorite of ours.

You say you don't like batch cooking but I don't really understand why.

I batch cook chilli, spag Bol, spag Bol meatballs, chicken curry.

How can you go wrong with the above?

On busy nights we have soup (sometimes homemade, sometimes not) or something on toast (beans/eggs). We also have filled pasta with a tub of sauce and zhoosh it up a bit with chopped chorizo (but we live chorizo in anything!) which takes 5 mins or halloumi burgers on brioche rolls. They only take about 10 mins.

I do love takeaways though, but at the weekend when I really can't be bothered with all the clearing up.