Batch-cooked meals I can hear straight from the freezer

[sycamore54321]

For those nights when otherwise it would be a takeaway, what meals can I have prepared and frozen but that don't need to be defrosted for hours in advance? i heat frozen vegetable soup directly and haven't come to any harm yet, but I'm not sure about more substantial meals. Any ideas? I'm not a huge fan of microwave defrosting but maybe I'm looking for the impossible.

Thanks!

[Closetlibrarian]

I heat things like chill con carne, stew, curry, etc from frozen on the hob.

[Blondie1984]

Lasagne, fish pie, shepherds pie....

[sycamore54321]

Are those sort of things safe to heat directly from frozen? I was always taught they had to be defrosted first, particularly if they contained any meat, but if not, then wow, this is a game changer!

[GreyStars]

I thought you had to defrost them too, because they are not quick frozen like the frozen ready meals you would buy in the supermarket.

So watching with interest :)

[Closetlibrarian]

Well I always heat them from frozen and I'm still alive, as is my family :)

[wobblywonderwoman]

I always freeze them in tin foil trays and then cook them thoroughly in the oven - you can do this with shop bought meals so I imagine it is fine.

[senua]

I'm not a huge fan of microwave defrosting

Why on earth not?

[minipie]

My approach (could well be wrong) is that anything is ok as long as you get it absolutely blisteringly hot (hot enough to kill nasties) all the way to the middle.

The issue with things like lasagne or pies from frozen is that by the time the middle is hot enough, the outside may be overdone. So I tend to stick to things you can stir like chilli. Maybe if you make it thin it's ok though?

[ferriswheel]

Get a defrosting plate. They are amazing.

[InTheDessert]

As above, if it can be stirred, I'll cook from frozen. So mince based sauces, stew etc etc.