Family life · 3 min read
Batch cooking for a big family on a weeknight budget
When you're feeding a crowd, the 5pm "what's for tea?" question can tip a whole evening into chaos. Batch cooking takes that decision away, and it can save real money too.
Pick three bases
Choose three dishes your family already eats: a mince base, a tomato and veg sauce, and a slow-cooked chicken. Each one can become several meals, from cottage pie to pasta bakes to wraps.
One cook-up, once a fortnight
Cook double or triple quantities in one session. Cool, portion into family-sized tubs and label them with the date. A couple of hours on a Sunday covers most weeknights.
Shop from the list, not the shelves
Write the shopping list from your three bases and stick to it. Supermarket own-brand tins, frozen veg and big bags of pasta and rice keep the cost down.
Keep it safe
Cool food quickly, freeze within two hours, and defrost in the fridge overnight. Reheat until piping hot all the way through. The NHS and Food Standards Agency websites have handy guides if you want to double-check.