Food hacks

Four cheap and easy batch-cooking recipes that will feed you all week long

HAVING a busy summer, with no time to whip up a tasty lunch?

These quick, easy, affordable recipes for batch cooking will keep you fed all week.

Store in freezer bags or old takeaway tubs for no-fuss dining.

Here’s how to do it . . . 

PASTA POWER: This no-cook wonder is perfect for hot days.

Simply boil 500g penne until al dente, then mix with two tins of drained tuna, four tablespoons of mayo, a handful of sweetcorn and some diced cucumber.

The creamy, crunchy combo makes four generous servings and keeps fresh in the fridge for up to three days.

For extra zing, add a squeeze of lemon or a sprinkle of chilli flakes.

SALAD SAVIOUR: Massage 200g of kale with olive oil to soften the leaves, then toss with 400g of fluffy cooked couscous, crumbled feta and charred roasted peppers.

Packed with Mediterranean flavours, this veggie bowl stays fresh for 72 hours — ideal for work lunches or lazy dinners.

Want more protein? Throw in some leftover grilled chicken or chickpeas.

BBQ BEANS: For a protein-packed staple, soak 500g of dried butter beans overnight then slow-cook with two tins of chopped tomatoes, a tablespoon of smoked paprika and a drizzle of honey.

The smoky-sweet beans can be frozen for three months and they are perfect with crusty bread or as a veggie BBQ side.

They can also make a great baked potato topping or a lovely addition to morning eggs.

COOL SOUP: Blitz two chopped cucumbers with 500ml of natural yoghurt, a garlic clove and handful of fresh mint for a refreshing, chilled soup that can be kept in a tub in the fridge until needed.

Mrs Hinch shares epic air fryer nacho recipe that takes only 10 minutes to make & loaded with hidden veggies for the kids

Serve with warm pitta bread for dipping.

For extra texture, add in chopped nuts or croutons made from stale bread.

  • All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers all subject to availability.
A mother teaches her young daughter to chop an onion.

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Batch-cooking can save you a fortune – try these recipesCredit: Getty

Deal of the day

Wooden chair with patterned woven seat on a deck.

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Save £34.50 on the Sophie Robinson Deck ChairCredit: supplied

ADD some colour to your patio with the Sophie Robinson Deck Chair, previously £69, now £34.50 at Dunelm.

SAVE: £34.50

Cheap treat

Package of four pre-sliced St. Pierre burger buns.

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These St Pierre buns, usually £2.43 for four, are now £2.08, at AsdaCredit: supplied

HAVING a BBQ?

Pick up a pack of St Pierre buns – usually £2.43 for four, now £2.08, at Asda.

SAVE: 35p

What’s new?

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Top swap

K18 Biomimetic HairScience leave-in molecular repair hair mask.

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Repair your hair with the amazing K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Leave-in Molecular Repair Hair Mask, £30 from Cultbeauty.co.ukCredit: supplied
Hairfication H24 Complex Leave-in Repair Hair Mask, 50ml.

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Or try the viral Hairification H24 Complex Leave-in Repair Mask 50ml, £10.99 at BootsCredit: supplied

REPAIR your hair with the amazing K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Leave-in Molecular Repair Hair Mask, £30 from Cultbeauty.co.uk.

Or try the viral Hairification H24 Complex Leave-in Repair Mask 50ml, £10.99 at Boots.

SAVE: £19.01

Little helper

CHECK out the clearance section at next.co.uk for huge discounts across adults, kids and homeware sections, including baby hats from £2.

Shop & save

Folding wagon loaded with camping gear.

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The Neo foldable collapsible garden cart was £79.99, now £34.99Credit: supplied

EVERY camper needs a storage trolley.

The Neo foldable collapsible garden cart was £79.99, now £34.99.

SAVE: £45

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The Sun raffle ticket.

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I saved hundreds of pounds by DIY-ing my daughter’s birthday cake – it only cost me £18 and people think it’s ‘genius’

IF your child’s birthday is coming up and the thought of splashing the cash on a lavish cake sends shivers down your spine, fear not, you’ve come to the right place.

Many parents will know that ordering a personalised birthday cake can often end up costing hundreds of pounds.

Homemade pink birthday cake costing £18.

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A mother has revealed that rather than forking out hundreds of pounds for a personalised cake for her daughter’s birthday, she DIY-ed a supermarket buyCredit: TikTok/@mummyandmylaa
Pink birthday cake that says "Myla is One."

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For less than £20, Amy was able to celebrate her child’s birthday in styleCredit: TikTok/@mummyandmylaa
Box of Waitrose Pretty in Pink Lambeth Cake.

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Amy nabbed the Pretty in Pink Lambeth Cake from WaitroseCredit: Waitrose

But in a bid to save cash, one savvy mum took matters into her own hands and was able to cut costs by DIY-ing her little darling’s birthday dessert.

Posting on social media, a mother named Amy shared a step-by-step tutorial of how she DIY-ed her daughter Myla’s pink birthday cake – and it cost her less than £20.

So if you’re on a budget and your purse is feeling tighter than ever before, then you’ll need to listen up. 

The UGC content creator explained that to celebrate her daughter turning one, she decorated the Pretty in Pink Lambeth Cake, which she bought from Waitrose.

Read more Fabulous stories

The pink coloured golden sponge cake, which is filled with raspberry jam and topped and decorated with pale pink and dark pink buttercream, cost Amy just £18.

Then, using some pink icing and ribbons she already had, she was able to personalise the cake – and we think it looks incredibly professional.

Alongside a short clip shared online, the influencer penned: “Making my daughter’s first birthday cake, saving £100s!”

Showing off the box-fresh vintage-style cake, which is decorated with whirls and swirls of piping, Amy beamed: “Come with me to DIY my daughter’s first birthday cake for only £18!” 

Amy confirmed that she used letter cutters to cut out “Myla is one” in pink icing, which she placed on top of the cake.

Following this, she attached pretty pink bows, which she already had from Shein, and was able to stick these to the cake with cocktail sticks. 

The simple chocolate cake recipe using only TWO ingredients – it’s sweet and you won’t even need to put it in the oven

We think Amy’s DIY cake looks brilliant and is a great way for those strapped for cash to save money, without having to scrimp on the celebrations. 

The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @mummyandmylaa, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 178,600 views.

Not only this, but it’s also amassed 2,782 likes, 31 comments and 780 saves. 

Social media users were impressed with the jaw-dropping cake and many eagerly raced to the comments to express this. 

Time-saving mum hacks

Morning Routine

Nighttime Preparation: Set out clothes for yourself and the kids, pack lunches, and organise backpacks before bed.

Effortless Breakfasts: Keep simple, healthy breakfast options on hand, such as overnight oats, smoothie packs, or pre-made breakfast burritos.

Meal Planning

Weekly Meal Prep: Dedicate time each week to plan your meals to eliminate daily decision-making.

Bulk Cooking: Prepare larger quantities and freeze portions for future use.

Hands-Off Cooking: Make use of slow cookers or Instant Pots for easy, unattended meal prep.

Ready-to-Use Veggies: Purchase pre-chopped vegetables or chop them all at once to save time during the week.

Household Chores

Daily Laundry: Do a load of laundry every day to prevent a buildup of dirty clothes.

Continuous Cleaning: Encourage kids to clean up after themselves and perform small cleaning tasks throughout the day.

Efficient Multitasking: Fold laundry while watching TV or listen to audiobooks/podcasts while cleaning.

Organisation

Family Command Centre: Set up a central hub with a calendar, to-do lists, and important documents.

Daily Decluttering: Spend a few minutes each day decluttering to maintain an organised home.

Organised Storage: Use bins and baskets to keep items neat and easy to locate.

Kid Management

Prepared Activity Bags: Have bags packed with essentials for various activities (e.g., swimming, sports).

Routine Visuals: Implement visual charts to help kids follow their routines independently.

Task Delegation: Assign age-appropriate chores to children to foster responsibility and reduce your workload.

One person said: “Love that. Wish I hadn’t already ordered a cake almost the exact same.”

Another added: “This is genius!” 

A third commented: “Super cute!”

Not only this, but another parent beamed: “Omg that cake is adorable, I wish I knew about it before!” 

This is genius!

TikTok user

At the same time, one user wondered: “What it nice? I worry that supermarket cakes can be dry inside as they are sat on the aisle for a while.”

To this, the content creator replied and confirmed: “Not dry at all!!! 

“Honestly, it tasted AMAZING, no regrets!!!” 

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