How do you batch-cook with hollow-legged teenagers?

[CookingApron]

I used to be able to make a couple of lasagnas or a massive pot of chili and I could either freeze half for another meal, or there would be leftovers enough to do another meal that week.

I now have three teenagers in the house and I simply can't cook enough food for there to be any left. My biggest pots and pans are licked clean, and everyone is making cheese toasties an hour and a half later.

My fridge and freezer are too small to accommodate enough food.

I use my biggest crocpot to make 'extra' dahl for after school snacking.

I'm not going to upgrade to catering pots because at some point we'll be back to DH and me, making normal sized meals again.

Because this is Mumsnet, I'll add that they're all very sporty and a healthy weight.

I'm forever cooking. Made a massive moussaka yesterday that was a bit of a faff. Would have loved to make the effort once to get 2 meals but nope. Gone.

Isn't that the whole point that it's so nice it's inhaled? Better that than fussiness and it being not eaten.

I remember this stage well with ds but he always has mates round so had to feed them too.
I seem to remember them making lots of -
Cheese Toasties
Part baked rolls
Flap jacks - last time I mentioned that on here I was shot down as it was sooooooo unhealthy 🙄😂
Overnight oats ,they keep for a couple of days
Tons of bananas
Frozen berries to have with Greek yogurt
Boiled eggs
Noodles
Beans of toast
Frozen pizzas
Jacket potatoes

Buy the bigger pans/ dishes ,they don't have to be super duper ones , double what you are making now and freeze what they don't eat. They will be at home for a good while yet and it'll be worth it. Serve loads more veggies with the meals if you don't already.

Accept that whatever you cook and they eat an hour after they've eaten they'll be making cheese toasties.

I used to make lasagne
Cottage pie
Casseroles
Gammon in the slow cooker
Bolognese
Huge roasts

Ds doesn't have a big appetite now compared to back then weirdly 😂

Keep a stash of a whole roast chicken + veg for snacks - easy to cook. My two boys are 8 & 11 - I have already started prepping ideas for when they get to this stage!

I'm hoping to keep it healthy - not too much processed meat or bread. Not sure how realstic that is!

🤣 yes I don't think I'm that bad a cook! I think/hope being anti stew is just a tiktok trend🙏

i think answer must be, deal out the food and put the rest in the freezer

How about a pressure cooker ? Mine easily makes ragu for 10 people - just hide half before they can raid it for seconds.

It also does duty as a huge ordinary saucepan.

Get them to take turns cooking. The food will still be gone but at least you can get a few nights off.

Why can't you just say "you've had enough to eat, you're not having any more". Dish up the dinner and make sure there aren't any leftovers by putting the extra away before you dish up. If we have pasta I usually serve 2/3 of the regular portion first to account for the mental desire for another helping.

i say this as the owner of one "very active" Mumsnet teenage girl and a builder husband. Neither of whom have endless access to food and both of whom seem to survive the night without starving to death as I'm sure yours would too.

there would be absolutely no chance anyone was making toasted sandwiches an hour after dinner here !

Something I've been planning on doing but ha entirely got round to is bulk breakfast muffins, which is English muffins, make an omelette ina baking tray, cook some bacon or a pack of sausage patties, a slice of cheese then make up 6 of them and stick them in the freezer. They can then take them out and stick them in the microwave.

Hate to say it but teen girls are different from teen boys,as I said earlier it settles down but omg until you've experienced it you can imagine how hungry they get.

I'm totally convinced batch cooking is a massive waste of time. You're better off with quick meals... jacket potato, stir fry etc.

So true. I remember my mum saying my brother grew before her eyes and he ate relentlessly. Now I have my own teenage boys I really appreciate how much cooking my mum had to do! "Hollow legs" was what she used to say he had and I see her point as no idea where all the food goes. Unbelievable.