Batch cooking inspiration, please!

[BewareOfTheToddler]

I'm keen to get some ideas for batch cooking as I'm in a total rut. We have my parents visiting to help with childcare over the next few weeks. My dad likes a "square meal" rather than just being chucked an omelette after DS (2) has gone to bed, and after a long day at work, plus commute and bedtime, I really don't feel like cooking. So am looking for meals I can freeze or make a day or two in advance. My usual staples are:

Lasagne
Bolognese
Shepherd's pie
Chilli
In winter, things like beef stew and goulash.
Pastitsio

I'd really welcome any ideas that are not mince or pasta-based! Also, my DF won't eat fish or rice, so fish pie is out.

Am wondering about a chicken/chorizo/pepper stew but would really welcome ideas from others.

Thanks in advance!

Roast an oven's worth of chcickens (2-3). The first day eat the meat as a roast, then you'll have several days of salads/risottos/soups. Even better, poach the chickens whole with a few aromats (bay, peppercorns, onions) and you have a gorgeous broth to be eaten as soup (chuck in some of the shredded meat, peas, carrot disks, pearl barley, whatever you fancy) and use as stock.

If your a big fan of homemade - I make a big batch of pizza dough and freeze big balls of it before it proves.

I just take it out the freezer in the morning and then roll it out when I get home from work. Throw a few toppings on and shove it in the oven!

There are two ways to save yourself time:

1. batch cook as you have been
2. batch prep and then throw the preprepped ingredients together for quick meals in the evening. for example have your colcannon prepped and frozen, then just bung chops under the grill while you microwave the spud/veg combo.: home from work to dinner on table in 15 mins.

Also: there are no curries on your list. Would he eat one with naan or flatbread instead of rice?

Sausage casserole
Pork tenderloin with shallots and apples cooked in cider
Chicken, chickpea and apricot tagine
Lots and lots of curry options, even if dd doesn't eat rice could serve with nann, chapati, popadoms, Bombay potatoes etc.
Cod au vin
Could also make pie fillings and just top with ready rolled puff before putting in the oven

Thank you everyone - I knew Mumsnet would have the answers! Some great ideas here - everyone would eat sausage casserole, ditto curry.

Sounds stupid but how would you make a sausage casserole?

Am also embarrassed to say I've not got much experience of making curries and the only one I do make regularly is the kind where the sauce is mainly yogurt and I'm not convinced it would reheat well. Would love any recipe recommendations!

I use this casserole, its lovely and fine to freeze.

A nice tagine- can have cous cups with it and it'll be ready in 2 mins yum

I always make more basic(but good)tomato sauce to freeze. A proper one, cooked for a good 40minutes. Very useful, for pasta,fish,gnocchi,meatballs etc.

I do a chicken tray bake thing and there is this one
I just buy mixed drumsticks/thighs not a chicken
www.nigella.com/recipes/slow-roasted-garlic-and-lemon-chicken
they freeze well

forgot to put this one up - our favourite
www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/nigella-lawson/chicken-with-40-cloves-of-garlic-recipe-2012801

Following!

Atleastitsnotmonday the link didn't work.

I'll ry again! Sausage casserole

Thank you :)

Thank you again - some great ideas here! Always used to make my own tomato sauce pre-toddler but our freezer is quite small.

That sausage casserole recipe looks great! As do the chicken recipes, bookbook

i use my slowcooker for meals like these - sausage casserole works fine in it.
or prep all the ingredients and freeze them in one bad, then take out the night before and sling in the slowcooker next morning.

I didn't read through all but I roast pork chops slowly in stock (add red onions, peppers etc) season with whatever I have in. Freeze in tin foil trays (cajun spice, BBQ, garlic salt) then serve with baby potatoes or rice

I also bake apple crumbles for the freezer scones and often just plain mash so some nights sausages and mash is so quick

Also soup

Following this to see if anyone comes up with an easy recipe for a mild curry.

I do this one, I substitute chicken pieces HERE - scroll down to roast chicken with cardomom and yoghurt

I use the marinades from Hairy Dieters chicken korma and chicken tikka masala recipes, and use a basic curry sauce jar from the supermarket for the korma and a tikka one for the tikka. Marinating makes all the difference, just cook up some rice (Delia's rice recipe has always been foolproof for me) and shop-bought naan.

Korma (just marinate in yoghurt) www.hairybikers.com/recipes/view/chicken-korma#GPp4AFE4PYZxEKbW.97

Tikka www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.pinterest.com/amp/pin/458170962062430810/