Cooking in bulk to save time and money- help

[Gemsi83]

Hi this is what ive been wanting to do for ages but my issue is what containers to use, i want to cook a cottage pie for all of us and freeze it but what can i put it in that i can freeze and then also put in the oven to heat up without it cracking or melting! Anyone got any advice plz x

Often I use a large deep sided roasting pan, I don't make the shepards pie too deep so it defrosts in less time and put just a thin layer of potato on top. I use ordinary casserole dishes too and have never had a problem, except that I need a bigger freezer ( and kitchen, and house!)

I have quite a few earthenware lasagne-size dishes for this kind of thing. What I would suggest, however, is that you don't put them straight from the freezer into the oven. Something large and dense like a cottage pie should be allowed to defrost before reheating or you risk cold spots.

I used foil dishes in various sizes, rather then china dishes.

But yes defrost first before cooking large size shepherd pies. I try to make sure it at room temp as I find it cook more evenly.

Line your oven dishes with oiled foil before using them to make your meals, then freeze in the dish. When the food is solid, pop it out, remove the foil and rewrap it (make a note of which food goes in which dish). You can then unwrap it and return it to the dish to defrost and cook when you're ready...

I buy these on amazon for bulk cooking. Just write on the lids what's inside and freeze away.

So do I mumtothenipper I also use These 9in x 9in ones when doing lasagne, shepherd pie.

Thanks guys all your advice is much appricated and im goimg to to buy some of them now mumtothenipper x