A new year, new school term or even just a new week usually heralds a time to get organised. Check the school clothes are in order, re-stock the pantry and cook freezer-friendly meals. Bulk cooking meals is a great way to save time during the week. Enjoy one meal now and freeze the rest for later! Frozen meals maintain their nutrition and flavour and are a convenient solution for busy individuals and families.
Some of the best meals to freeze include curries, pies, ragus, pasta sauces, stews, casseroles and soups.
Remember, your freezer is your ally. It’s not just a place for ice cream and frozen peas, make it a treasure trove of freezer friendly meals AKA pre-prepared goodness that make mealtime a breeze.
How to freeze pre-cooked meals
To freeze meals safely, the freezer temperature needs to be at -18°C. Divide meals amongst clean, airtight containers. Freezing in smaller serves, for example, for two people, makes defrosting and then reheating the food faster. Let the food cool completely before sealing and freezing to prevent temperature fluctuations in the freezer that could spoil other items.
How to defrost frozen meals
The best practice for defrosting meals, is to place the frozen meal in the fridge 24 hours before heating. Alternatively it is safe to defrost the food in the microwave using the defrost function, if it is going to be heated and eaten straight after defrosting. Heat isn’t evenly distributed through the food when microwaved so it will need to be stirred several times during the defrosting process.
What to serve with freezer-friendly meals?
Whilst the meal is heating, steam some vegetables, cook some pasta, make some mash or whip up a salad to complete the meal.
Here’s to convenient, delicious meals that make life just that bit easier!
60 freezer friendly recipes
Slow cooker satay pork stew
Comfort food made easy.
Grated potato fritters
Similar to a potato rosti or latke, this recipe can also be made bite sized and used as a base for canapes.
Zucchini slice
It’s an easy family favourite that can be enjoyed warm or cold.
Chicken cacciatore
Warm up with this hearty favourite.
Creamy pumpkin and potato soup
There are many variations of this classic soup but the original is often the best.
Women’s Weekly sausage rolls
Our Test Kitchen Sausage Rolls, beloved by The Weekly team.
Classic beef lasagne
This classic Italian pasta bake is the ultimate comfort food.
Pork burgers with easy slaw
Spice up burger night with miso and chilli.
Savoury mince
This savoury mince is so tasty and versatile.
Cottage pie
This comfort food classic is a favourite in the cooler months but pair it with a fresh salad and you can enjoy it all year round.
Corn fritters with Manchego & jalapeno
A spicy, cheesy recipe for any time of day.
Beef, spinach & ricotta lasagne
A family favourite with extra veggies.
Slow cooker pulled pork
Serve in tortillas topped with sour cream and coriander.
Slow cooker chilli con carne
A family favourite.
Slow cooker sweet and sour pork
A family favourite dinner idea.
Slow cooker chicken and vegetable soup
Comfort in a bowl.
Yellow chicken curry
A delicately fragrant yellow curry packed full of chicken, cauliflower and barley for a truly satisfying meal.
Easy slow-cooker bolognese sauce
Let dinner take care of itself.
Coconut beef curry
Perfect for dinner tonight.
Swedish-style baked meatballs
Easy to prepare and a guaranteed family favourite, these Swedish meatballs with a twist can be delicious on their own, or scale it up and make it a hearty pasta sauce.
Chickpea, spinach and paneer rogan josh
A slow cooker curry.
Yellow curry chicken cottage pie
This recipe serves eight as part of a banquet. Or four to six people as a main meal.
Creamy baked shell pasta
Nothing says comfort food quite like a creamy pasta bake!
Baked ziti
An impressive, layered pasta bake.
Slow cooker chickpea and sweet potato curry
This vegan curry recipe is perfect for chilly nights. It’s an easy chickpea curry made with sweet potato and a korma curry paste.
Cauliflower, bacon and cheese pasta bake
A simple, budget-friendly pasta bake to feed the family.
50/50 Bolognese
Lentils are added to the beef mince in this delicious spaghetti bolognese.
Chicken fricassee with mushroom and leek
A simple dinner option when entertaining in the cooler months. It’s also a good one for batch cooking – freeze half for dinner another day.
Chai-roasted pumpkin soup with honey walnuts
Give your classic pumpkin soup some spice.
Slow-cooker lamb madras
Put your slow cooker to good use with this rich slow-cooked curry recipe.
Aussie meat pies
Nothing beats a hot meat pie in your hand.
Chilli con carne
This spicy Mexican beef and bean stew is a real crowd-pleaser that the whole family will love.
Butter chicken hand pies
A classic Indian dish re-created into a delicious hand-held feast for the whole family to enjoy!
Italian meatballs
Reconnect with childhood memories and sit down with a big bowl of spaghetti and meatballs.
Ragù alla bolognese
The whole family will love this rich and comforting dish.
Pea and ham soup
A classic favourite.
Lamb ragù moussaka
Rich and comforting.
Pork and apple sausage rolls
It’s a long way to the shop…
Roasted tomato and white bean soup
Simple to prepare and rich in flavour.
Garam masala chicken with potatoes
Spice things up.
Slow-cooker apricot chicken
Set and forget!
Classic tomato pasta sauce
Make a double batch and put it on everything.
Chicken paprikash
Rich and inviting.
Beef and mushroom stew
The ideal comfort food.
Curried pork rissoles
Tasty rissoles full of fresh herbs and a curry punch.
Chicken tagine with dates and honey
A little bit sweet, a little bit savoury and a whole lot delicious.
Quick & easy minestrone
Achieve that deep rich flavour in under an hour!
Vegetable lasagne
This delicious vegetarian lasagne might start out as your Meat-free Monday inspiration but, believe us, it’s just as good on Tuesday for lunch!
Beef green curry
Fragrant, flavoursome and filling, this quick Thai beef green curry is just what you need when you don’t have time to cook. It’s freezer-friendly, too, and can even be transformed into a tasty pot pie. Dig in!
Slow-cooker Italian pork and capsicum ragu
Packed full of flavour, this hearty meat dish is delicious served up for the family on a cool Winter’s evening. Tender Italian sausages go beautifully with this flavoursome capsicum ragu, to create a hearty, warming dish.
Smoky chickpea stew
Conjure images of India with this colourful vegetarian stew. Cooked in paprika, this spicy dish will invigorate the senses from the smokey capsicum to the tiny chickpeas.
Cheesy lentil pies
These cheesy lentil pies will satisfy your meat-free cravings while packing a flavourful punch. Full of protein and vegetable goodness, they’re also perfect for little hands.
Chicken pot pies with leek and asparagus
Looking for a make ahead dinner? These chicken pot pies freeze well.
Beef casserole with cheesy herb dumplings
Stay cosy indoors this weekend with this hearty, slow-cooked beef casserole topped with dumplings. A side order of mash and greens completes the meal.
Beef and barley soup
This recipe can be frozen. Just complete the recipe to the end of step 2. Cool to room temperature. Spoon into freezer-proof containers, leaving a 2.5cm space to allow for expansion. Seal, label and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat in a saucepan or microwave on medium power (50%) […]
Vegie curry pies
Easy and tasty vegetable curry pies from Australian Women’s Weekly.
Bean and spinach ragù
A traditional Sunday lunch for many Italian families – this ragu is a flavour-filled delight.
Braised lamb shanks with tzatziki and tomato salad
Served with grilled pita bread, this beautiful slow-cooked lamb stew is just what you need on a cold day.
Slow-cooked lamb shank and bean ragu
From the humble baked bean to the chickpea, legumes contain healthy components linked with protection against diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart problems.
Sour pork curry
Thai basil, also known as horapa, is available from greengrocers and Asian supermarkets. To freeze; pack into freezerproof containers, leaving a 2.5cm space to allow for expansion. Seal, label and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat in a saucepan or microwave on medium power (50%) until heated through. Note
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