Freezer-friendly dinners for meal prepSBy Sonya GeeABC LifestyleTopic:Recipes24m ago24 minutes agoSun 4 May 2025 at 12:00amHeidi Sze's fall-apart beef and sweet potato stew is cosy, easy and tasty. (ABC News: Heidi Sze)abc.net.au/news/freezer-friendly-dinners-for-meal-prep/105161486Link copiedShareShare articleLife is busy and it always helps to have a few meals in the freezer.Here are five that are suitable for freezing, which taste just as good on the reheat as they do cooked fresh.Beef stew with sweet potatoIf you can, make the stew the day before and rest in the fridge for maximum flavour. (ABC News: Heidi Sze)This fall-apart beef stew includes a healthy amount of sweet potato, so there's no need to make extra veggies when it comes time to serve. Enjoy over couscous, or with a chunk of buttered bread. Vegetarian bean chilliChilli can be made ahead of time and freezes well, too. (ABC Everyday: Hetty Lui McKinnon)There are so many ways to enjoy this vegetarian chilli, which is made from mostly tinned ingredients. Top it with avocado, sour cream, grated cheese and a squeeze of lime and use the leftovers to make nachos. One batch will feed six.Lentil bologneseThe ingredients I've used here are purposefully basic and pantry-friendly. (ABC News: Hetty Lui McKinnon)Bolognese is a classic freezer meal and this vegetarian version hits many of the same flavour notes, only without the meat. It's cooked low and slow to build flavour and feeds six.Spiced chicken stew This warming chicken stew includes plenty of veggies. (ABC News: Heidi Sze)Stock your freezer with this simple and filling meal, which includes plenty of veggies. Serve it over rice or your favourite grain. It can also be enjoyed as a soup-like meal with plenty of coriander and fresh lime juice.Spiced pumpkin soupA pumpkin soup with a kick that's topped with coconut milk, fresh coriander and spicy roast cashews. (ABC News: Hetty McKinnon)Red curry paste adds spice and flavour to this pumpkin soup, which is finished with coconut milk. While the soup is reheating, make the roast curry cashews in the oven for added crunch.Tips for freezing and defrosting food Check the containers or bags you're using are freezer-safe by looking at the label or for a snowflake symbol on the basePortion meals into smaller servings as this will be more difficult to do once meals are frozenShallow containers will mean food freezes and defrosts faster and move evenlyA clear labelling system will help you keep track of what you have and how old it isWhen it comes to food safety, it's best to defrost meals in the fridge. The bottom of the fridge is the best place, as the risk of it dripping onto read-to-eat foods is reducedFrozen food should not be defrosted on a benchtop Posted 24m ago24 minutes agoSun 4 May 2025 at 12:00amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesLABOR'S LANDSLIDE WINTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows A close up of Peter Dutton on stage. It took just over two hours to call time on Dutton's two decades in politicsTopic:ElectionsGreens including leader Adam Bandt at risk of wipe-outTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows Adam Bandt and Max Chandler-Mather in the chamberLabor gains seats across Queensland, picks up extra Senate seatTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows A woman in a felt hat smirks. What was the result in your seat? Look up the map of your regionTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows An illustration of the map of Australia with multicoloured lines behind itRelated storiesGet cosy with our 10 most popular autumn recipesTopic:RecipesPhoto shows A speckled white bowl of lentil bolognese ragu topped with vegan parmesan cheese and fresh basil.Not all foods should be frozen — here's what to avoidTopic:Food and DrinkPhoto shows Woman placing container with frozen mixed vegetables in freezer.The quickest and safest methods for defrosting food Topic:ExplainerPhoto shows A person's hand holding a packet of frozen minceRelated topicsRecipesTop StoriesLABOR'S LANDSLIDE WINTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows A close up of Peter Dutton on stage. It took just over two hours to call time on Dutton's two decades in politicsTopic:ElectionsGreens including leader Adam Bandt at risk of wipe-outTopic:ElectionsLabor gains seats across Queensland, picks up extra Senate seatTopic:ElectionsWhat was the result in your seat? Look up the map of your regionTopic:ElectionsJust InLiberal hopes in Victoria dashed amid big Labor swings Topic:Liberal Party of Australia1m ago1 minutes agoSun 4 May 2025 at 12:23amThe party of Howard and Menzies is searching for what comes nextTopic:Federal Government3m ago3 minutes agoSun 4 May 2025 at 12:20amFreezer-friendly meals to help you get aheadTopic:Recipes24m ago24 minutes agoSun 4 May 2025 at 12:00amGoodbye Adelaide, we hardly knew ye: Liberals locked out of capital city seats in SALAnalysis by Leah MacLennan32m ago32 minutes agoSat 3 May 2025 at 11:52pmMore Just InBack to top