What’s easy to throw together, takes almost no prep time and makes a solid, hearty meal for the whole family? You guessed right—it’s a casserole!
This dish is every cook’s best friend, especially when you’ve had a long day or have too much produce or meat in the refrigerator. You can stash the leftovers for later, too, especially when you know how to freeze casseroles. (While you’re at it, here’s how to freeze other foods, too.)
1. Avoid freezing dairy-heavy casseroles
Yes, dairy-heavy casseroles are delicious, but cottage cheese, sour cream or creme fraiche won’t hold up in the freezer. Instead, polish this kind of casserole off right away—or store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
2. Freeze crunchy toppings separately
Crunchy toppings add a lot of texture to a casserole but will get soggy in the freezer. That doesn’t mean you need to skip them, though—just add them on the day you’re eating the casserole, or freeze them separately in a zip-top bag and sprinkle them on after defrosting your main dish.
3. Separate the casserole into smaller portions
If there are only one or two people in the house, or you want to save the leftovers for work/school lunches, cut your casserole into smaller portions instead of freezing the whole dish. If you’re looking for a new recipe, we’ve rounded up our favorite casseroles.
4. Label everything
You’ve taken the casserole out of the freezer, stuck it in the oven and—wait, how long is it supposed to bake for? Stick a label on the casserole with the recipe name, directions for baking and the use-by date. Most casseroles will last in your freezer for up to 3 months.
Find our favorite labels (and containers) on this list of freezer organization tools.
5. Line the dish with parchment paper
We use our favorite 13×9 baking dish for everything, and we definitely don’t want it tied up in the freezer for months. Instead of freezing your casserole directly in the dish, line it with parchment paper before filling it. Pop it into the freezer, let the casserole become solid, then pop the parchment paper out and load everything in a separate container before putting it back into the freezer until you’re ready to bake.
6. Thaw before baking
Before you pop your casserole into the oven, don’t forget to thaw it. The safest way is to let it thaw overnight in the fridge before baking, so make sure to plan ahead.
Layered Beef Casserole
With my busy days, I treasure meal-in-one recipes like this. Toss together a salad, and dinner is ready in no time. - Dorothy Wiedeman, Eaton, Colorado
Smoky Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas
My hearty, delicious, nutrient-packed vegetarian dish is amazingly healthy for you. Everyone I've made it for has loved it—even carnivores! I always make two batches and freeze one. You'll want to eat this every week! —Elizabeth Lindemann, Salem, Massachusetts
Artichoke Chicken
Rosemary, mushrooms and artichokes combine to give chicken a wonderful, savory flavor. I've served this dish for a large group by doubling the recipe. It's always a big hit with everyone—especially my family! —Ruth Stenson, Santa Ana, California
Texas-Style Lasagna
With its spicy flavor, this dish is a real crowd-pleaser. It's great with side servings of picante sauce, guacamole and tortilla chips.— Effie Gish, Fort Worth, Texas
Vegetable Strata
We always serve food at our Bunco games, and since one of us is a vegetarian we like to make fun meatless dishes we can all enjoy. This strata can easily be doubled and tastes fantastic hot or at room temperature. —Doris Mancini, Port Orchard, Washington
Deluxe Hash Brown Casserole
My son-in-law gave me the recipe for this hash brown casserole, which my kids say is addictive. It's an amazing make-ahead dish.—Amy Oswalt, Burr, Nebraska
Zippy Chicken Enchiladas
Leftover chicken gets an awesome makeover in this rich and creamy casserole. This colorful dish is loaded with flavor. It's a nice change of pace from beef enchiladas. —Julie Moutray, Wichita, Kansas
Perfect Four-Cheese Lasagna
Lasagna is one of my favorite meals, and this is the recipe I’ve been making since I was a teenager. It’s a tantalizing combo of pasta, meat sauce, cheese and more cheese that really lives up to its name! —Lauren Delaney-Wallace, Glen Carbon, Illinois
Beef Noodle Casserole
This beef noodle casserole is perfect when there's a busy day coming up, because you can prepare it ahead of time. It's ideal for a potluck, too. The flavors blend together to create a delicious combination. —Grace Lema, Winton, California
Chicken Tortilla Bake
Mother frequently made this comforting chicken tortilla casserole when I was growing up. Our family would scrape the pan clean. Chicken, cheese and zippy green chiles are a mouthwatering mix.—Jerri Moror, Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Potluck Taco Casserole
This is the dish I most often take to potlucks, and the pan comes home empty every time. It has the irresistible taco taste that everybody craves. —Kim Stoller, Smithville, Ohio
Cornbread Chicken Bake
To make the most of leftover cornbread, try this hearty main dish casserole. It's moist, delicious and good on any occasion. —Madge Britton, Afton, Tennessee
Mushroom Sausage Strata
This flavorful casserole is a hearty mainstay for our family's Christmas Day brunch menu. Being able to assemble the recipe ahead of time is a real plus! —Julie Sterchi, Jackson, Missouri
Chicken and Swiss Stuffing Bake
I love to cook but just don't have much time. This casserole is both comforting and fast, which makes it my favorite kind of recipe. I serve it with a green salad. —Jena Coffey, Sunset Hills, Missouri
Fiesta Chicken
Chili powder and picante sauce add just the right dash to this hearty main dish. It's a snap to assemble since it uses convenience foods. —Teresa Peterson, Kasson, Minnesota
Penne and Smoked Sausage
My sausage pasta is a must-try dish. It just tastes so good when it’s hot and bubbly from the oven. The cheddar french-fried onions lend a cheesy, crunchy touch. —Margaret Wilson, Sun City, California
Pizza Noodle Bake
Here’s a family-pleasing casserole that comes together in a snap, making it perfect for a weeknight meal. Double the recipe and freeze one for later! —Bernice Knutson, Soldier, Iowa
Ham & Cheese Casseroles
I got this recipe from my mother and love it because it’s easy and I’ve usually got the ingredients on hand. It freezes well, so I can have an extra ham and cheese casserole handy for when guests show up. Everyone always likes it; there are never leftovers. —Jan Schoshke, Brookville, Kansas
Chicken Cordon Bleu Bake
I got this easy chicken cordon bleu recipe from a friend years ago. I freeze several half recipes in disposable pans to share with neighbors or for when I'm pressed for time myself. —Rea Newell, Decatur, Illinois
Turkey Enchilada Lasagna
The whole family will love the familiar southwestern flavors in this turkey Mexican lasagna. —Julie Cackler, West Des Moines, Iowa
Hearty Chicken Spaghetti Casserole
This gooey casserole is so hearty and homey that second helpings are a must! —Lynne German, Woodland Hills, California
Broccoli Tuna Casserole
When I was in the Navy, a co-worker's wife shared this recipe with me. I’ve tweaked it over the years, but it still brings back memories of my "family" away from home. —Yvonne Cook, Haskins, Ohio
Chicken Enchilada Bake
Your family is going to gobble up this cheesy, southwestern and easy chicken enchilada casserole…and will ask for it again and again. It’s real comfort food! —Melanie Burns, Pueblo West, Colorado
Turkey Cordon Bleu Casserole
Impress your holiday visitors with this fancier twist on the traditional casserole. —Kristine Blauert, Wabasha, Minnesota
Make-Ahead Spinach Manicotti
When I invite people to dinner, many have started requesting this pasta bake ahead of time because it's that good. Plus, the manicotti is stuffed before it's cooked, making it even more convenient. —Christy Freeman, Central Point, Oregon
Baked Two-Cheese & Bacon Grits
In the South, everyone loves three things: bacon, cheese and grits! After playing around with this recipe, I took it to my first family party as a newlywed, and it was a huge hit. This recipe has become a family tradition that I'm sure will be passed down for generations. —Melissa Rogers, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Pasta Fagioli al Forno
The name of this Italian-inspired dish means "baked pasta with beans." But my busy family translates it as "super satisfying dinner." —Cindy Preller, Grayslake, Illinois
Contest-Winning Greek Pasta Bake
I've taken this hot dish to potlucks and it's received rave reviews. There's never a morsel left. Best of all, it's a simple, healthy and hearty supper made with ingredients that are easy to find. —Anne Taglienti, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes & Ham
Creamy, cheesy and easy to make, this casserole is the definition of comfort food. This makes two casseroles, so it's great for a crowd; it freezes nicely, too. —Salina Bontrager, Kalona, Iowa
New England Lamb Bake
This dish is hearty and perfect for warming up on a chilly winter evening. The aroma is almost as delightful as the dish itself. —Frank Grady, Fort Kent, MaineThe post How to Freeze a Casserole the Right Way appeared first on Taste of Home.
Amrita Thakkar