Family dinners call for meals that are both healthy and packed with flavour, but getting them on the table shouldn’t require hours of preparation. I find that when I am in a rush, having batch cooked sauces ready in the fridge or freezer can help ease the stress of getting the dinner served to my hungry family. Here, I want to share some of the most popular recipes from my Baby and Family Recipe Book, and show you how to make the most of your batch cooked sauces to get these delicious family meals on the table in a mere 20 minutes or less without sacrificing an ounce of quality!
Tomato Sauce
Tomato Sauce is a go-to batch cooking recipe in my home. I love this sauce as it is so versatile and can be used in a range of delicious dishes! Serve it as a dip for your chopped veggies, as a base for a pizza or simply as a delicious sauce to mix in with some pasta. Find the recipe for my tasty Tomato Sauce here
Meatballs and Tomato Sauce
Spaghetti and meatballs has to be one of the most delicious comfort foods out there, and is a huge hit with my girls. To get it on the table in 20 minutes, reheat your batch cooked tomato sauce whilst you’re making your meatballs and boiling your spaghetti, and when everything is ready just mix together and serve! If you’re stuck on what to make for the school lunches the next day, whip up an extra batch and pop these tasty meatballs into your kids food flask. And if you're in the mood to try something different, go check out my Chicken Meatballs!
Find my Meatballs and Tomato Sauce recipe here.
Chicken Parmigiana
Crispy breaded chicken, tomato sauce and cheese… What’s not to love? This recipe is perfect for when you’re in need for a speedy midweek meal that is still packed with flavour. This dish will definitely become a favourite with your family, and is a great finger food for your weaning baby. Use your batch cooked tomato sauce to have this dinner ready in less than 20 minutes! Find my Chicken Parmigiana recipe here.
Homemade Tortilla Pizza
Everybody loves pizza, but if you’re looking for a lighter option then my Homemade Tortilla Pizza is the recipe for you! Use your batch cooked tomato sauce as the base and all that’s left to do is add the toppings of your choice and pop in the oven. You can even get the kids involved as a fun family activity by letting them design their own pizzas! Find my Homemade Tortilla Pizza recipe here.
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Marinara Sauce
This classic sauce is simple and super tasty, but most importantly won't take you long in the kitchen to whip up a big batch! This is a great sauce for batch cooking, and can easily be stored using the portion pots from the Ultimate Batch Cooking Set. Filled to the brim with fresh, wholesome veg, this recipe is a great alternative to shop-bought sauces that are typically high in sugar and salt. Mix it in with some pasta for a tasty lunch or dinner! And if you're looking to bulk up the dish, you can add some extra veg alongside or a protein source such as chicken. Find the recipe for my Marinara Sauce here.
Pesto Sauce
Pesto sauce is so yummy and a great sauce to have in the house, but shop-bought version can be very high in suitable making them unsuitable for your weaning baby. My homemade recipes are made up of fresh, wholesome ingredients and are so easy to prepare! Have a look inside my Baby and Family Recipe Book to check out the "Pesto 3 ways" section for a bit of variety. Find the recipe for my Basil Pesto Sauce here.
Courgetti (or Zoodles) with Chicken and Pesto
This tasty, healthy dish is super easy to make and my family absolutely loves the delicious combination of Chicken and Pesto. Mixing some courgetti in with the spaghetti gives this classic Italian dish a gorgeous healthy twist and a great way to get your little ones eating more veg! Find the recipe for my Courgetti with Chicken and Pesto here.