17 Ina Garten Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze for Later (2024)

There are so many reasons to love Ina Garten, that it’s hard to choose just one. Her recipes are always a win, and they’re practically foolproof. She also makes entertaining look easy and makes cooking look fun. But one of the lesser-known reasons that we love Ina is because so many of her recipes can be made ahead of time and frozen for later. You know, like those days when each kid has three after-school activities, you have a migraine, and the last thing you feel like doing is going home and making a meal? That’s when those make-ahead recipes from Ina really shine.

Related storyIna Garten's Easy Sticky Buns Are the Perfect Easter Breakfast

The key to delicious frozen meals is to let them cool before you store them in an airtight container to freeze. That way, you won’t get any excess moisture gumming up your food, making it soggy on the reheat. Whether you’re looking for something to eat next week or next month, make one of these freezable Ina Garten meals. They’re guaranteed to impress.

  • Baked Rigatoni With Lamb Ragù

    17 Ina Garten Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze for Later (2)

    Similar to lasagna, this baked rigatoni freezes well and can even be reheated in the microwave when you’re ready to dig in.

    Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa

  • Penne Alla Vodka

    17 Ina Garten Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze for Later (4)

    You can either make the entire dish and freeze it, or for optimal freshness, make the sauce ahead of time and freeze it, then just cook your pasta when you’re ready to serve it.

    Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa

  • Zucchini Basil Soup

    17 Ina Garten Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze for Later (5)

    Soup is one of the best make-ahead meals because it freezes so well. This zucchini basil soup from Ina Garten is simple, yet flavorful and it will last at least a couple months in your freezer.

    Get the recipe from What’s Margot Making

  • Mexican Chicken Soup

    17 Ina Garten Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze for Later (6)

    How about the same old comforting chicken soup you love but with a Mexican twist? Even better, you can use your leftover Costco rotisserie chicken to make this recipe even easier.

    Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.

  • Ina Garten’s Unforgettable Beef Stew

    17 Ina Garten Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze for Later (7)

    Winter might be long this year. Make a big batch of this beef stew for the freezer, so that cozy meals are easy and you can get back to hibernating as quickly as possible.

    Get the recipe from Veggies by Candlelight.

  • Ina Garten’s Easy Tomato Soup

    17 Ina Garten Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze for Later (9)

    Ina would definitely want you to eat this soup with grilled cheese croutons. Or if you prefer a full-sized grilled cheese sandwich, you may want to try one of these recipes.

    Get the recipe at Leite’s Culinaria.

  • Ina Garten’s Roasted Tomato Basil Soup

    17 Ina Garten Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze for Later (10)

    Make a big batch of this in the summer, and you can have peak-season tomato soup all year.

    Get the recipe from Little Broken.

  • Baked Pasta With Tomatoes and Eggplant

    17 Ina Garten Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze for Later (11)

    Need a veggie pasta that’s freezable and sure to satisfy? This cheesy tomato-eggplant dish is it.

    Get the recipe from Leite’s Culinaria.

  • Ina Garten’s Roast Chicken

    17 Ina Garten Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze for Later (12)

    To keep this chicken moist in the freezer, cut it into quarters with the bone and skin still on. Then, seal it in a vacuum-packed bag and freeze.

    Get the recipe from The Cozy Cook.

  • Ina Garten’s Root Vegetable Gratin

    17 Ina Garten Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze for Later (13)

    Whether you’re in need of a side dish or a vegetarian main, this root veggie gratin will satisfy. Make it ahead, and thaw the whole thing in the oven when you feel like something meatless and cozy.

    Get the recipe from Smitten Kitchen.

  • Ina Garten’s Outrageous Brownies

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    What makes these brownies so outrageous? Besides walnuts, you’ll need to try them and see.

    Get the recipe from Brown Eyed Baker.

  • Ina Garten’s Pastit*io

    17 Ina Garten Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze for Later (15)

    Never had pastit*io? It’s a little like baked ziti’s more mature older sibling. And trust us, that’s a good thing.

    Get the recipe from Vodka and Biscuits.

  • Ina Garten’s Fresh Salmon Cakes

    17 Ina Garten Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze for Later (16)

    These freeze great cooked or raw, and make for an easy quick dinner over salad, in pasta, or on a sandwich.

    Get the recipe from Whisk it Real Gud.

  • Ina Garten’s Lemon Chicken

    17 Ina Garten Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze for Later (17)

    The juice from this lemon chicken keeps everything tasting great, and also makes the dish perfect to make ahead and freeze.

    Get the recipe from The PKP Way.

  • Ina Garten’s Cioppino

    17 Ina Garten Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze for Later (18)

    Think you’re not fancy enough to make seafood stew? Think again.

    Get the recipe from Foodie Crush.

  • 17 Ina Garten Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze Later

    17 Ina Garten Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze for Later (19)

    Don’t forget to pin these for later!

17 Ina Garten Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze for Later (2024)

FAQs

What foods can you cook then freeze? ›

15 freezer friendly foods
  • 1) Cheese. Toggle accord. ...
  • 2) Milk and dairy free milk. Toggle accord. ...
  • 3) Eggs. Toggle accord. ...
  • 4) Mushrooms, broccoli and other vegetables. Toggle accord. ...
  • 5) Cooked rice. Toggle accord. ...
  • 6) Potatoes. Toggle accord. ...
  • 7) Cooked pasta. Toggle accord. ...
  • 8) Bananas. Toggle accord.

What recipes are in Make It Ahead by Ina Garten? ›

More Books From Ina
  • Cranberry Martinis, 27. Jalapeño Margaritas, 26. ...
  • Bruschettas with Sautéed Chard, 61. ...
  • Cauliflower & Celery Root Soup, 54. ...
  • Caesar Salad with Blue Cheese & Bacon, 43. ...
  • Ham & Leek Empanadas, 70. ...
  • Easy Coquilles Saint Jacques, 133. ...
  • Asparagus & Prosciutto Bundles, 148. ...
  • Chocolate Cake with Mocha Frosting, 199.

What is best to freeze meals in? ›

Zip-top bags are great for freezing food because it's easier to get all the air out of them than it is with rigid containers. And zip-top bags have an added space-saving benefit: You can stack them, if you lay them flat to freeze first.

What food can you freeze and for how long? ›

Cold Food Storage Chart
FoodTypeFreezer [0°F (-18°C) or below]
Soups and stewsVegetable or meat added2 to 3 months
LeftoversCooked meat or poultry2 to 6 months
Chicken nuggets or patties1 to 3 months
Pizza1 to 2 months
49 more rows
Sep 19, 2023

Which of the following foods should not be frozen? ›

Milk, yogurt, cream, sour cream, buttermilk, and soft cheeses all become inedible once frozen, since they separate and curdle upon defrosting, changing the texture and consistency entirely. Your milk will separate into a watery mess, for example, and your yogurt will become grainy, curdle, and separate when defrosted.

What does Ina Garten eat every day? ›

Not just any old oatmeal will do when it comes to the Barefoot Contessa. "I've had the same thing for breakfast every single day for ten years: coffee and McCann's quick-cooking Irish oatmeal," Garten told Bon Appétit in a 2017 article. And her love of the stuff is well-documented.

What is Ina Garten most famous for? ›

She is host of the Food Network program Barefoot Contessa, and was a former staff member of the Office of Management and Budget. Among her dishes are Perfect Roast Chicken, Weeknight Bolognese, French Apple Tart, and a simplified version of beef bourguignon.

What white dishes does Ina Garten use? ›

Another, pricier option is the White Dinnerware set from Pillivuyt, a French brand Ina recommends for serving ware as well. Aside from the simple, clean lines, both sets are dishwasher-, microwave-, and oven-safe, a must in Ina's—and our—book.

What meat dishes freeze well? ›

15 Best Freezer Friendly Meals with Beef
  • Beef Sausage & Egg Muffin Cups. A breakfast with protein can be so quick and easy with make-ahead egg muffin cups. ...
  • Lean Mean Cheeseburger. Prep ground beef into patties ahead of time and freeze for any day of the week. ...
  • Barbacoa Empanadas.

How do you freeze meals in Ziploc bags? ›

Freeze Foods Flat for Smart Storage

Here's the scoop: freeze them flat. Get yourself some sturdy zip-top freezer bags and fill them up. Press out as much air as you can, place the bags on a baking sheet or the floor of your freezer, and freeze.

Can I freeze mashed potatoes? ›

Yes you can. You can freeze mashed potatoes made with plenty of butter and cream, and then reheat them on the big day using one of four methods. Here's how to ace the time management portion of prepping your thanksgiving dinner.

What is the best container to freeze casseroles in? ›

For family sized layered casseroles, I like to use a 9×13 foil pan. You can find them at the dollar store or the grocery store. Sometimes they have cardboard lids and sometimes I just use foil.

Is it better to freeze meals, cooked or uncooked? ›

Foods you might overcook: Foods that cook quickly like homemade burgers or marinated chicken stir-fry should be frozen raw so that reheating doesn't overcook them.

Are Ziploc bags freezer safe? ›

Our Ziploc® products are suitable for food contact use for microwave defrosting and reheating, room temperature, refrigeration, and freezing. Remember, it's always important to follow each product's usage instructions. Furthermore, Ziploc® brand products are made in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices.

How soon after cooking can you freeze? ›

Timing: It's best to freeze food as soon as possible after cooking or purchasing it. The longer food stays in the fridge, the more it can deteriorate in quality and safety. Proper Storage: Before freezing, ensure that the food is properly stored in airtight containers or freezer-safe bags to prevent freezer burn a.

What odd foods can you freeze? ›

Here are some of the more surprising options.
  • Avocados. Storing slices of avocado in the freezer doesn't work perfectly, but freezing pureed avocado does. ...
  • Baked goods. ...
  • Butter. ...
  • Bread. ...
  • Buttermilk. ...
  • Chocolate. ...
  • Citrus Fruits. ...
  • Cookie dough.

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