When planning meals for your family, the idea of cooking after a long day can feel overwhelming. However, casseroles provide dual benefits in that they are easy to make and can be frozen ahead of time for an easy weeknight meal. Frozen casseroles can be made in a variety of ways and can store for several weeks, as long as you prepare them correctly before placing them in the freezer.
Step 1
Choose the vegetables for your casserole. Casseroles can be made using just about any vegetable, but some of the most common options include potatoes, green beans, thinly sliced carrots, onions, corn, broccoli or zucchini. This list is by no means comprehensive; most vegetables can be used in your casserole, as long as they freeze well. Choose items that freeze well by following a recommended food freezing list, such as those provided by the National Center for Home Food Preservation.
Step 2
Include a protein. Proteins can be both animal-based and plant-based. Popular animal-based options include tuna, ground beef, turkey, sausage, bacon or chicken but can be expanded to other animal products as well. Plant-based proteins include beans such as black beans, pinto beans or garbanzo beans, as well as soy products like tofu.
Step 3
Add a grain to your casserole to help soak up the sauce and hold flavor for each bite. Although a grain is not required, options such as pasta and rice can help increase how filling the casserole is, as well as help stretch your budget by creating more food for less money. Aim to include whole-wheat pastas or brown rice for a healthy fiber boost to your meal.
Step 4
Choose a sauce for your casserole. Sauce can vary based on both taste and the ingredients being used. Choose from ideas such as cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, marinara sauce for pasta-based casseroles or Alfredo or cheese sauces. Add milk or chicken stock as needed if the sauce components are too thick to evenly coat your other ingredients.
Step 5
Combine the ingredients together in a large bowl until each ingredient is coated with the sauce. Move the casserole into freezer-safe containers or bags to help prevent freezer burn. Leave the ingredients in the pan you plan to bake the casserole in if only planning to freeze the meal for a couple days, but wrap the pan tightly with plastic wrap to help prevent freezer burn. Cook the casserole before you freeze it if you plan to use the casserole for individual meals throughout the month.
Step 6
Mark each container with the date the casserole was made. This will help ensure that your casserole will be fresh. Casseroles should optimally be baked within a month of the time you freeze them. Precooked casseroles may last longer.
Tips and Warnings
- Leave out breaded toppings or cheese toppings. Add them fresh right before you bake the casserole.
Things You'll Need
- Large bowl
- Freezer storage containers or bags
- Casserole dish
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