16 best batch recipes

Perfect for the cooler months, this hearty soup eats like a meal with big chunks of sausage and lots of soft veg to sink your teeth into. Get the recipe: Hearty Sausage and Quinoa Minestrone

Almost as easy as take-out, this flavourful curry comes together in just over 30 minutes. Pack it in the freezer then reheat when the time is right and serve alongside basmati rice. Get the recipe: Thai Red Shrimp Curry

Cold and flu season is no match for you with a big batch of this hearty soup simmering away. Get the recipe: Chicken Alphabet-Noodle Soup

This rich, chunky bowl of kid-friendly corn chowder has layers of flavour (hi, leeks!) and goes from kernel to table in half an hour. You’ll be happy you froze a batch when the cold weather hits. Get the recipe: Corn Chowder with Chicken and Bacon

Meet the ultimate batch-cooked recipe. Freeze this jam-packed soup (there’s lentils, kale, bacon and smoky paprika), defrost fully and reheat gently in a saucepan over medium-low, adding a little water and salt if needed. This soup will do you no harm. Get the recipe: Delicious Lentil and Kale Soup

Nothing says wholesome as much as a hearty bowl of stew. The slow cooker does most of the work for this recipe, so sit back and relax. When it’s time to reheat, try going old-school by adding dumplings on top. Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stew

A vegan soup doesn’t have to leave you starved. The plant-based protein of lentils will fill you up good. Warm whole-wheat pita does such a good job sopping up this creamy soup, you might not need to wash any spoons. Get the recipe: Curried Lentil-Coconut Soup

It’s nice having a meatless meal. This thick chili is minimum prep with maximum results and is so filling you won’t even miss the meat. Get the recipe: Make-Ahead Lentil Chili

It’s a classic for a reason. This veggie-stacked meat pie gets better with age and those potatoes on top? They get nice and crispy when reheated in the oven. Get the recipe: Shepherd’s Pie

We updated traditional cabbage rolls with lean ground turkey and bulgur—a whole grain that’s rich in protein and fibre—creating a recipe that’s great rolled up or deconstructed. Get the recipe: Turkey-Bulgur Cabbage Rolls

Chicken thighs are more tender and flavourful than chicken breasts, perfect for saucy dishes like butter chicken. Freeze your extras then reheat and make rice for a quick, family-pleasing meal. Get the recipe: Easy Butter Chicken

We’re not messing around with this bolognese. It’s got ground beef, pork and Italian sausage and lends itself to many dishes beyond pasta. Get the recipe: Slow-Cooked Big Batch Bolognese

Brisket is a humble cut of beef—inexpensive and easy to prep. All it asks for in return is a little time. Braised over hours, brisket comes out succulent and tender. Pile it high on sandwiches or alongside a more formal spread like mashed potatoes and blanched vegetables. Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Braised Brisket

This side dish can be made entirely ahead and reheats beautifully (but also tastes amazing cold)—almost as easy as cracking a can of beans, but way more delicious. Get the recipe: Smoky Campfire Beans

Giant gooey cheese-stuffed shells are ready for your freezer. Make sure to double the recipe, because you’ll want to dig in right away. These are the best. Get the recipe: Giant Stuffed Cheesy Shells

It’s nice to have pulled pork on your side for busy weeknights. Allot your portions so there’s packages with enough for a few weekday sandwiches (those lunches aren’t going to make themselves) or for a feeding frenzy at dinner. Get the recipe: Pulled Pork with Ginger-Bourbon Sauce

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