The ultimate time-saver – batch cooking. Here’s how

Batch cooking can really help save both time and money. It's all about getting your freezer working for you. Try to factor in some time at some stage during your week to whip up some family-friendly recipes you can freeze. Then, on the nights you know you won't have time or the inclination to cook, pop one out the evening before. Bingo, you have homemade, healthy and nutritious meals to pop in the oven to reheat. Master batch cooking with these top 5 tips from ilovecooking.ie.

1. Make a plan

Start by planning 6-7 recipes that are suitable for freezing and easy ones you're comfortable making. Think stews, casseroles, pies and soups – all ideal for freezing. Then check your cupboards and freezer to see what you have and make a shopping list of the ingredients you will need. Shopping lists save time and money in the supermarket.

2. Containers

Do you have freezer-friendly containers? You can also use freezer bags for certain dishes, but air-tight food containers work best. Find containers that are suitable for freezing but can also be thawed and reheated in the same container for ultimate time-saving.

Top tip: If you're storing soups or sauces, store them in specific portion sizes, so you don't need to defrost it all at once.

3. Double your recipe

Think of the meals you eat on a weekly basis that would be suitable for batch cooking. Dishes like bolognese, lasagne, chicken and broccoli bake, and cottage pie are easy, plus they're crowd-pleasers too, so double the recipe and keep some in the freezer for the following week.

4. Labelling

Make sure to label everything you put in the freezer, and don't forget about the time you put it in. This way you can tell which tub holds what and most importantly, that it's safe to eat. The general rule of thumb is not to freeze anything past six months. Pick up some small white stickers at your next supermarket visit to you have them to-hand.

5. Freezing

Always bring cooked meals to room temperature before you pop it in the freezer. Another tip would be to remove any air to stop freezer burn. If you're using freezer bags, seal them nearly the full way and make sure you push the remaining air out of the bag. If you're using a container that doesn't fill the whole way, place some parchment paper over the food and tuck it in at the sides.