Make one base recipe go a deliciously long way, and enjoy easy weeknight dinners or leftover lunches in the process
Batch cooking is a great way to make the most of your time spent cooking; you’ll have dinner sorted, yep, but you’ll also have leftovers available to eat throughout the week. Creating a base meal also saves time by ensuring you have a versatile dinner shortcut on hand to transform into a variety of delicious meals whenever you need. If you’re worried about eating the same food and flavours on repeat, don’t stress. These recipes all feature unique twists on the main event, and they’re freezer-friendly – so you can spread them across your weekly menu. Enjoy three meals for the price of one!
01
Batch cooking with beef mince
We accepted the challenge of turning one packet of mince into three affordable family dinners. Cooking a batch of mince to use for multiple meals is the ultimate budget-friendly hack. It’s freezer-friendly and so versatile. Try our kofta mince recipe and turn it into three dinner favourites, or go for a basic batch of mince with Italian flavours, perfect as a topping or a pasta sauce.
Cheat's ragu with creamy polenta
Cooler nights call for quick meals that feel like a hug in a bowl. This cheat's ragu pairs beautifully with creamy, buttery polenta, offering a comforting dish that ticks all the boxes. Perfect for those chilly evenings when you crave something warming.
Jacket potatoes with ricotta and basil leaves
Transform your batch-cooked mince into a filling for these delectable jacket potatoes. Topped with creamy ricotta and fresh basil leaves, this dish is a fantastic option for a no-fuss dinner that packs a flavour punch. Simply bake the spuds, heat your mince and assemble.
Easy pastitso
Savour the layers of this easy [Pastitsio, a delightful Greek-inspired dish that combines pasta, mince, and creamy béchamel sauce. It’s a wonderful way to use your batch-cooked mince for a meal that promises to transport your tastebuds straight to the Mediterranean.
02
Kofta mince
Try this freezer-friendly kofta mince recipe to get ahead with meal prep for the week. Shape the kofta mixture into ovals, thread onto pre-soaked bamboo skewers and cook. Serve the juicy kofta skewers with tabouli and hummus for a tasty Lebanese-inspired dinner. You can also roll the mince into meatballs to use in a variety of mid-week meals.
Kofta pizza
It’s best to use your fresh kofta mixture in this recipe. Make sure you spread the mince right to the edge of the pizza base to enjoy more flavour in every bite. Paired with rocket, red onion, beetroot hummus and crumbled Danish-style feta, this pizza definitely has the wow factor!
Kofta bowls
These hearty kofta bowls with couscous are the perfect way to use up everything you might already have at home. Take your meatball-shaped koftas out of the freezer, and grill. Use up whatever rice, beans and veg you’ve already got on hand to toss with lettuce, cucumber and cherry tomatoes. Don’t forget the tzatziki!
Kofta hot dog
Prepared with pre-made kofta mince, this easy family dinner is ready in just 25 minutes. Enjoy these flavour-packed kofta hot dogs while relaxing on the couch watching the footy for a match made in heaven.
03
Roast chicken
Masterfully batch-cook a roast chicken and transform it into culinary masterpieces throughout the week. Shredded chicken adds savory richness to a cheesy tortilla bake, while the succulent meat elevates a nourishing chicken soup. Layer roasted chicken with pasta, cheese, and tomato sauce for a hearty lasagna. Save time, minimize waste, and enjoy versatile meals that showcase the roasted chicken's delectable flavors.
Mexican-style chicken tortilla bake
Take your roast chicken to the next level with this simple Mexican-style traybake. Perfect for batch portions, this recipe creates eight servings that you can divide and freeze for up to three months! Make the most of great value chicken, affordable canned produce and fresh Hass avocados, with a midweek dinner the whole family will love.
Italian-style chicken & bean soup
This warming Italian-style chicken & bean soup is an affordable winter dinner, and a great way to use up leftover roast chicken. While the whole chook is the star of this soup, cannellini beans, spiral pasta and lots of parmesan add crunchy texture and flavour to make this hearty meal an instant favourite.
Roast Chicken Lasagne
Looking for a twist on an old classic? With familiar flavours, this roast chicken lasagne is bound to make it on the regular rotation. This recipe serves eight, so cut up your leftover cold lasagne into portions and freeze it for up to three months. It’s perfect for lunches or reheated dinners. This affordable winter winner is one you’ll want to bookmark.
04
Prawn dumplings
Just six ingredients are needed to make 60 dumplings. Place uncooked dumplings on a baking paper-lined tray and freeze for two hours, then transfer the dumplings to an airtight container and pop them in the freezer. (This will make sure they don’t stick together.) Versatile, delicious and perfect for a warming weeknight dinner.
Prawn dumplings with vegetable fried rice
You’ll save time with pre-made prawn dumplings regardless of whether you choose to make your fried rice from scratch or with quick microwave rice. Make sure you raid your fridge to use up any leftover veggies you have on hand.
Prawn dumpling soup
For a tasty, comforting meal, try prawn dumplings in a fragrant ginger, soy and garlic vegetable soup. This great meal makes the most of any leftover veg you might have in the fridge. Try your hand at making homemade vegetable stock with your food scraps. Roughly chop all the scraps. Cook for about five minutes, before adding water and seasoning. Let it simmer for a bit, then strain.
Prawn dumpling pad Thai
This Thai classic is super speedy when you’ve got pre-made prawn dumplings on hand. With a powerful Asian flavour combination like no other, it’s a family favourite recipe to keep up your sleeve when you’re short on time.
05
Basa fish cakes
Put aside 20 minutes to prepare these hearty fish cakes for three different weeknight dinners. You only need six ingredients to make 36 fish cakes, which you can freeze until you’re ready to use. Simply shallow-fry for two minutes each side until the fish cakes turn crispy and golden-brown. These delicious fish cakes make the perfect base for a quick and affordable dinner.
Fish rolls with onion aioli
Ready in a flash and perfect for lunch or dinner, these fish rolls are sure to satisfy. Serve up a batch of your pre-made fish cakes drizzled with an onion-based aioli on toasted hot dog rolls. If you’re short on time, you could always use a store-bought aioli. Shoestring fries make a perfect crunchy side.
Fish-cake salad with sweet and sour dressing
Serve Asian-style fish cakes with a sweet and sour salad for a light, fresh and tasty midweek meal. This recipe has dinner on the table in two simple steps. Simply shallow-fry fish cakes for two minutes each side, then toss together your salad and pour over your dressing.
Fish-cake san choy bow
Fish-cake san choy bow makes a deliciously easy midweek dinner. Serve leftover fish-cake patties and slaw in a lettuce cup for a twist on the popular Chinese starter. Time-saving and budget-friendly – what a winner!
06
Fragrant pork larb
A little planning can help you stick to your goals and this recipe ensures you’ll get three light and refreshing meals out of the one batch. This Thai-inspired pork larb is fragrant and versatile, using affordable pantry staples and fresh herbs and spices.
Pork larb and veg stir-fry
This colourful stir-fry makes the most of your pre-made batch of pork larb. Just add a convenient vegetable mix and a bit of fluffy microwaveable rice for a quick and easy weeknight win.
Pork larb and noodle salad
Delight in a mid-week lunch or dinner that’s speedy and tasty. Slurpy noodles and crunchy veggies are a match made in heaven when paired with this pre-made portion of fragrant pork larb.
Pork larb and mint pizza
Trust us: this one works! Premade pizza bases, a batch of made-in-advance pork larb, and fragrant fresh mint truly change the game for this weeknight wonder. Pizza night never looked so tasty.
07
Beef bolognese
Batch-cooking a bolognese sauce is a time-saving and versatile way to enjoy delicious Italian flavors in various dishes throughout the week. Start by browning ground beef and vegetables, then simmer in a rich tomato sauce with herbs and spices. This hearty sauce can be transformed into a flavorful chili con carne by adding beans and Mexican seasonings. For a comforting pot pie, top mashed potatoes with the bolognese sauce and bake until golden brown. Create loaded fries by smothering fries with cheese, bolognese sauce, and your favorite toppings for a quick and satisfying meal.
Freezer-friendly chilli con carne
Double up the quantities for this recipe, because it’s sure to be on high rotation as a midweek (or weekend) dinner. This warm and spicy chilli con carne, and any leftovers are perfect for nachos night, if you feel like mixing things up. I sometimes swap out the black beans for red kidney beans and chop up any leftover coriander to stir through the mixture before I freeze it..
Bolognese pot pies with cheesy mash
Comfort food at its finest: savoury bolognese pot pies with cheesy mashed potatoes! This recipe is easy on the wallet and time-saving, using store-bought beef mince or leftover bolognese mix. Layer up some bolognese sauce, creamy mashed potatoes, and you've got yourself a hearty and scrumptious meal. Perfect for batch cooking and freezing, so you can always have some on hand when you need a quick and satisfying meal.
Loaded sweet potato fries
Indulge in a wholesome twist on classic fries with our loaded sweet potato fries recipe! These crispy fries are topped with juicy mince beef, tangy Greek yogurt, and refreshing cherry tomatoes. Perfect for using leftover beef bolognese or creating a satisfying meal prep. Enjoy a budget-friendly, comforting, and nutritious dish that's sure to delight your taste buds!
08
Lentil bolognese
Try our lentil bolognese! This hearty and flavorful dish is a great way to use pantry staples. Lentils are a budget-friendly protein source, and they're also a good source of fiber and iron. Plus, this dish is naturally vegan and gluten-free, making it a great option for people with dietary restrictions. With its rich tomato sauce and tender lentils, this bolognese is sure to be a hit with the whole family.
Easy lentil bolognese
This easy lentil bolognese is made with spiral pasta and leftover lentils, making it a quick and delicious weeknight meal. The lentils are simmered in a rich tomato sauce with vegetables, herbs, and spices, then tossed with spiral pasta. It's a flavorful and satisfying dish that's perfect for busy families.
Healthier shakshuka
This hearty and flavorful shakshuka recipe is made with lentils, making it a budget-friendly and protein-packed breakfast or brunch option. Simply spoon leftover lentil bolognese into a skillet, crack in some eggs, and bake until the eggs are set and the lentils are warmed through. Top with fresh herbs, avocado, ricotta, and a drizzle of olive oil for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Lentil cottage pie
This vegetarian version of a hearty family favourite is just what the doctor ordered on a cold winter’s night. It also freezes and reheats well. I’ll often divide the leftovers into individual serves before freezing to make them easier to reheat quickly. Once the leftover cottage pie has been heated through, pop it under a preheated grill to brown the top. Classic beef-mince cottage pie or lamb-mince shepherd’s pie are also on my bulk-cooking roster.
*Based on actual ingredient portion size used and standard shelf prices in NSW Woolworths supermarkets as at 27/07/2023. Prices and product availability may vary by state and store.