How to meal prep and freeze?

[Cocacolathanks]

Hi guys, sorry this isn’t really an AIBU but the traffic here is much better.

So I’ve decided to finally start prepping better meals for my kids and myself. I have ideas in mind like mini fish pie portions, lasagnas, spring rolls etc.

I have a few questions around it and I was hoping Mumsnet could give me some tips like equipment, easy meals, freezing tips and more.

One question is how would you freeze fish pie - in glass containers or small ramekins? Or plastic food boxes?

Any other help would be really good!

Thank you

@Cocacolathanks
I bought some glass containers from Pyrex to move away from the disposable foil ones.
Really pleased with them. They can be cooked in and then pop on the lid once cool and straight in the freezer. Also useful for just fridge storage too and dishwasher proof.

Yesterday I made a bean stew/casserole type dish, we had some with duck legs (on special at Lidl) I then froze the rest into old yogurt and cream pots (sharing size) for use as size dishes, on toast etc. The bean dish cost under £2 for around 12 portions, is a complete meal with lots of veg, vegan a gluten free, ideal for stretching meals

I also make two lasagnes at the same time, I have two relatively small terracotta type dishes so freeze one uncooked and cook the other.

I freeze meat in old plastic takeaway containers. Like a PP I didn't like using single use plastic bags due to the waste or difficulty in cleaning, but the takeaway boxes go in the dishwasher and also stack better in the freezer.

They hold about 300 g mince or chicken thighs or a couple of chicken breasts and I often add Extra veg or pulses if less meat than specified in a recipe.

I use plastic lidded takeaway containers too. I put sticky labels on and write on them with a sharpie. They stack, which helps. We tend to eat together these days, so I freeze in quantities that feed us all for one meal. When we were all eating separately, I’d freezer in single portions.

I make sun dried tomato or basil pesto as a batch and I put that in the type of lidded takeaway container that you get sauces in.

I’ve also started to freeze leftover crumble mix, which is useful. I can then put some blackberries and sugar or something in the bottom of a pie ramekin, add the crumble mix, and I can cook a one portion pudding in 15 minutes.

I dont like the foils as sometimes I need to defrost in the microwave. But I suppose the plastic containers can’t be used in the oven, so.

I prep a lot of ingredients on the way to other meals: eg

Chopped onion - I bung loads through the food processor in one go (we grow a fair few onions).
Chopped or crushed garlic again why not do masses while the garlic press is out - I freeze in a bag in clumps, so 1 clump = approx 1 clove

etc

Then meals, eg lasagne, I make a huge one, serve ours, portion and freeze the rest into a smaller container - you can easily sever the portions when frozen.

@gogohm

I use plastic boxes, 2 different sizes when kids were small. For fish pie I wouldn't actually cook the fish, just mix into cooled sauce and top then freeze

I cook the whole thing then portion ready to microwave. That way you dont need to waste electricity cooking each one individually. Use old takeaway boxes

I use takeaway boxes as well. I have 2 different sizes. The short tubs are used for single person meals, and the taller tubs are used for family sized meals. They are really good for stacking and I write on the lid in sharpie what is in there.
Most of the time I'll cook a dish, bulk it out with veg and freeze the leftovers. Usually dishes like spag bol, curry, chilli, casseroles, soups. Then when it's time to eat I take out of the freezer the night before and defrost in the fridge. Will cook the rice/pasta/veg on the day.
Sometimes I'll cook a dish purely to freeze, but once it's cooked i'll still dish it up into the portion tubs. There is only 2 adults and 1 4yo so freezing a meal like lasagna whole wouldn't work for us.

I also use plastic bags to freeze smaller portions of things like chilli or pasta sauce. They take up less freezer space than boxes. I do rinse and re-use the bags!