Jamie Oliver has launched a new range of frozen ready meals based on the most loved recipes from his cookbooks.

The meals, which are currently available in Iceland, will also be rolled out to upmarket retailer Waitrose in October, and have been in development for two years, The Times reported.

The range will initially launch with seven main courses, including a moussaka based on a recipe in Jamie’s Comfort Food, as well as a chicken tikka masala and cottage pie from Jamie’s Dinners, while sides include marmalade-glazed carrots and hasselback potatoes.

Speaking at a launch dinner this week, Jamie Oliver said: “My dream has always been to inspire more people to cook but I know time and inspiration are the biggest barriers for busy people.”

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The British chef continued: “The reality is that we’ve never cooked less than we do now, and that’s a tricky pill for me to swallow.

“But my philosophy is that you’re not either in or out and, even if it’s starting with frozen meals, or upgrading in that section, you are still going on a food journey.”

The new range comes amid a rise in demand for frozen food, as Oliver believes “the freezer section in supermarkets should be twice the size”.

“Freezing means less waste, less reliance on stabilisers, artificial colouring and preservatives, higher ethics and it is more price competitive. It’s also super-convenient, so, yes, I’ve always included frozen stuff in my weekly shop.”