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Hello Everyone! I am here today to share what I hope is a helpful library of recipes to lighten the load of cooking. If you’re anything like me, there will be days when you are inspired to cook, and days where even putting together a PB&J feels burdensome. No matter what you are cooking, preparing food is hard work. Batch making recipes can be so wonderful for blessing your family in the future. Or other families in need of a casserole in a hard season.
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Depending on the size of your family, some of these meals will naturally give you a fair amount of leftovers. And some of the recipes you may want to double to enjoy down the road when you are burnt out from cooking. I love sticking leftovers in the freezer if it’s something I worked hard on but we are simply tired of eating. That way, the food can be ENJOYED another time and I have a delicious meal I didn’t have to cook. What a gift to my future self.
Finding another person to batch cook with (for me it’s my mom but it doesn’t have to be!) can be such a gift. You can double what you make, make 2-3 things at once, share favorite recipes, or rotate who is cooking so one person is always on child duty. You both leave with meals for weeks to come and the blessing of time spent with another human being. Chopping is so much more enjoyable when there’s someone to talk to.
Without further ado, here are my favorite recipes to make in bulk and freeze for later consumption. You can find them all right here on the blog!
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Winter is the perfect time of year to cook casseroles and soups. They are cozy and warm and there’s just something about having a hot meal on a cold night. The best part: most soups and casseroles freeze super well! Here’s a few of my favorites to double or triple and freeze for a day when I don’t want to cook. All the recipes are linked.
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This is a major favorite because it makes delicious, homemade spaghetti come together in no time. You can also go ahead and cook pasta and prep some spaghetti casseroles to make the whole process that much easier.
Wow have these been such a hit on the blog! Everyone loves them. Every time I take them to someone they ask for the recipe. It’s so flexible and truly makes a ton!
A favorite for winter time. I love freezing in my 2-cup soupercubes to have for quick lunches in the winter. This recipe is also dairy free!
Mom and I love to prep for a delicious, veggie filled lunch (again, freezing in the soupercubes). You can add any veggies you have on hand to bulk it up and doubling the recipe is super easy.
Major comfort food; even with the cottage cheese it freezes so well! There’s a ton of cheesy pasta casseroles out there, but trust me, the top layer of cream cheese and sour cream is heavenly.
This soup is like a big warm hug! And if you’re vegetarian, you could totally leave out the meat and try my original vegetable soup. Add anything you have on hand; it is very (very) hard to mess up vegetable soup. When in doubt, add salt.
One of the first NTK recipes I created and it remains popular for good reason! The love is in the title: NO CHOP! Save yourself a ton of time and try this one.
For years, this recipe has been a fan favorite. And for good reason! It makes a ton, freezes so well, and is unique in flavor. It is perfect for taking to a new mom who wants something healthy but also comforting. It’s gluten free (leave off the cheese to make it dairy free too).
This might be one of the easiest recipes on the blog. But don’t let easy make you think it’s not delicious! This recipe is also one of the most popular with kids (they tend to trust brown things) and packs an awesome protein/fiber punch. Be aware: there’s a lot of beans in this baby; it could make you gassy.
I wanted to add one easy option for quick breakfasts and breakfast-for-dinner. And you don’t have to use my recipe! Most any pancake and waffle recipe can be doubled and the leftovers frozen. Same goes for the majority of muffins and other baked goods. Whenever I make any baked good, I always double and freeze half. They defrost on the counter super fast (or in the toaster if making waffles).
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Overwhelmed by how/what to freeze?
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I know the entire method of freezing can be overwhelming. How do you package it? How do you defrost? What can you freeze?! I have gotten these questions so much I made an entire guide about it! it’s $12 and I can pretty much promise you it will pay for itself in no time with all the food you will save and energy you will conserve by learning to cook less and freeze more! Check it out here.
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I will beat this dead horse into the ground: what you are doing is good and faithful work. The budgeting, the shopping, the cooking. All of it takes mental energy to plan and physical energy to prepare. So on the days where you feel like you may have a little extra mental and physical energy, I hope these recipes bless you and inspire you to batch cook (maybe even with a friend or family member)!
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