Can you freeze casseroles?

Can you freeze casseroles? Absolutely! Our best freezing tips...

• Prepare your casserole as if you were putting it straight into the oven. So: brown the meat or fish (or not, if you want a veggie casserole), cook the vegetables, make the sauce, and layer everything in a baking dish. Use an earthenware or glass dish that is suitable for both the oven and the freezer.
• You can finish baking your casserole, or freeze it unbaked.
• In any case, let your dish cool down completely before freezing it, whether you have pre-baked it or not.
• Some oven dishes have a handy lid, but most do not. In that case, wrap the dish with several layers of cling film and ensure it fits snugly around the filling to minimize the formation of ice crystals during freezing – otherwise, your casserole will become watery when thawed.
• Stick a label with the date on your casserole so you never have to wonder how old something actually is or if it is still good. Prepared dishes can be stored in the freezer for 3 months, and vegetarian dishes for up to six months.
• If you are not entirely sure whether the dish can go straight from the freezer into the oven (some materials may crack), let your dish thaw in the refrigerator first. This takes about a day, so remember to take it out of the freezer in time.

This is how you warm it up

• A casserole that you froze unbaked can be placed in the oven later while still frozen. However, set the temperature slightly lower to start so that the dish can thaw gently for 10 to 15 minutes. Then increase the temperature so that your dish can cook through and develop a nice crust.
• You must always thaw a casserole that you have already baked and then reheat it. The choice is yours!

Freezing casseroles summarized

• You can freeze a casserole either baked or unbaked.
• Do you have a large freezer? Then choose a baking dish that fits both the freezer and the oven: super convenient. Those with less space can prepare the dish in smaller, sealable glass storage jars that can go straight into the oven or air fryer.
• Let the casserole cool down first, then wrap it in cling film. Press the film firmly against the filling. This prevents a layer of ice from forming on top and your casserole from becoming watery after thawing. For storage jars, simply put the lid on.
• Stick a label with the freezing date on each saucer or write the date with a special chalk marker.
• Store your casserole in the freezer for up to three months (six months for veggie).

These casseroles are perfect for preparing in advance.

Do you want to save these recipes? You can do so with a single click of the button. Read here how to do it.