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How To Cook Quality Casseroles that Freeze Well

By: Bridget Hardy, Editor, AllFreeChickenCasseroleRecipes.com

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Want to know the tricks behind a perfect casserole? Look at How To Cook Quality Casseroles that Freeze Well for helpful tips and awesome recipes! You will fall in love with make ahead meals.

 

 

 

 

 

Make dinner easier and prepare make ahead casseroles that freeze quickly and can be thawed and baked later. For your chicken casseroles to freeze well, simply use quality ingredients and learn How To Cook Quality Casseroles that Freeze Well.

 

Table of Contents

How To Freeze Your Casserole
Featured Recipe: Penne with Chicken Sausage and Cheese
Hints for Freezing Your Casserole
Hints for Thawing and Baking Your Casserole
Dependabel Make Ahead Meals to Freeze

 

 

How To Freeze Your Casserole

 

  1. Line casserole dish with heavy duty aluminum foil. Leave enough foil overflowing edges to cover the top of the casserole.
     
  2. Fill casserole in order recipe calls for.
     
  3. Fold foil over top.
     
  4. Freeze until all ingredients are fully frozen.
     
  5. Remove from freezer, remove foil and place casserole in heavy duty resealable plastic freezer bag.
     
  6. Freeze up to 3 months.
     
  7. When ready to eat, place casserole in original container to thaw overnight in refrigerator.
     
  8. Bake casserole as directed by instructions in original container.

 

 

Featured Recipe: Penne with Chicken Sausage and Cheese

 

 

 Penne with Chicken Sausage and Cheese

 

 

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
     
  • 1 yellow onion, chopped
     
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
     
  • 1 pound chicken or turkey sausage, casings removed
     
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
     
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
     
  • 1/4 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes (optional)
     
  • 1 can (28-ounce) tomatoes in puree, tomatoes coarsely chopped and puree reserved
     
  • salt, to taste
     
  • 1 pound penne pasta
     
  • 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
     
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
     
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated

 

Instructions to Prepare:

  1. Line 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish with heavy duty aluminum foil.
     
  2. In a heavy bottomed saucepan, heat olive oil. Add onion, cook until golden. Add garlic. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
     
  3. Add sausage and cook until no longer pink, breaking it apart.
     
  4. Add tomatoes, puree, bring to a boil.
     
  5. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
     
  6. Cook penne according to instructions.
     
  7. Mix pasta with sauce, mozzarella and mascarpone.
     
  8. Spread in the foil-lined baking dish and sprinkle with parmesan.
     
  9. Fold aluminum foil over top tightly. Freeze.
     
  10. When frozen, replace casserole to heavy duty resealable plastic freezer bag.

 

Instructions to Thaw and Cook:

  1. Remove from freezer and thaw in refrigerator overnight.
     
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
     
  3. Bake until cheese melts and tips of pasta are crusty, about 30 minutes.
     
  4. Let stand 5 mintues before serving hot.

 

 

Hints for Freezing Your Casserole

 

 

 

 

  • Ensure everything is cooled completely before freezing.
     
  • Tightly wrap and label every piece of food. Poor wrapping will lead to dehydration and freezer burn.
     
  • Always cook meat fully.

 

 

Hints for Thawing and Baking Your Casserole

 

 

 

 

  • If thawing casserole in microwave, bake immediately and thoroughly.
     
  • Otherwise, thaw casserole in refrigerator overnight.
     
  • Freezing maintains food at original freshness and quality. Use quality ingredients whenever possiible.

 

 

Dependable Make Ahead Meals to Freeze

 

 

Chicken Zucchini Bake

 

 

 

 

 

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