So you made mac and cheese and determined to make an enormous, no an enormous, batch so you may have “extras” for a future meal. Good concept, since I do that myself typically!
Now you’re asking your self how you can freeze mac and cheese so it’s simply pretty much as good when you reheat it sooner or later. My buddy, I’m right here to assist.
Reading: Can you freeze mac and cheese
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The best way to finest prepare dinner mac and cheese for freezing
Whether or not you made it out of the field or determined to make a do-it-yourself mac and cheese recipe, the excellent news is that you can freeze it!
Creamy variations of mac and cheese are finest for freezing as a result of they’ve extra “sauce” or liquid to maintain the pasta moist when reheating.
Baked macaroni casseroles are often dryer in texture however can nonetheless be frozen though not my favourite (see extra particulars beneath).
The best way to freeze cooked mac and cheese
Freezing mac and cheese is simple. You’ll be able to freeze it in an air-tight container or in a zip-bag. Crucial half is deciding how a lot to freeze at one time.
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To freeze in zip luggage or containers:
- Be sure the mac and cheese has absolutely cooled off to room temperature.
- Divide cooked mac and cheese into an hermetic container or zip bag, within the serving measurement you wish to serve it in. Single, two servings, family-sized.
- Freeze flat if utilizing a zipper bag or place container within the freezer.
To freeze in plastic wrap:
- Be sure the mac and cheese has absolutely cooled off to room temperature.
- Unfold plastic wrap in your counter and minimize to measurement, sufficient to wrap round mac and cheese a few instances.
- Place the specified serving of cooked mac and cheese on prime of the plastic wrap. Fold the perimeters in and wrap a few instances with plastic.
- Take the plastic-wrapped mac and cheese and wrap in a single layer of foil. It will assist to cut back freezer frost.
- Freeze.
Necessary notice about heating plastic-wrapped mac and cheese: you should take away the foil when heating up within the microwave and take away the plastic wrap. Place the mac and cheese in a microwave-safe bowl and warmth in there.
The best way to thaw frozen mac and cheese
One of the best ways to thaw frozen mac and cheese is at all times in a single day, within the fridge. In any other case, on the counter for a few hours. And on the final resort, immediately within the microwave however this tends to dry it out typically, will fluctuate by recipe.
The best way to warmth up frozen mac and cheese
You’ll be able to warmth up frozen mac and cheese immediately within the microwave, out of it’s zip bag or plastic wrap. If the mac and cheese remains to be frozen, merely run water on the surface of the zip bag to separate the mac and cheese from the bag and then place it in a microwave-safe bowl.
Throughout the heating course of, be certain to cease it sometimes and stir the mac and cheese combination for even heating.
Greatest approach to warmth up thawed mac and cheese
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One of the best ways to warmth up frozen mac and cheese is to permit it to thaw out first. Then, you can warmth up beforehand frozen, now thawed out, mac and cheese within the microwave, the stove-top, and within the oven.
Within the microwave: place thawed mac and cheese within the microwave, on excessive, and warmth for 1 to 2-minute increments, stopping to stir the combination till it’s heated by way of.
Within the stove-top: positioned thawed mac and cheese in a pot that’s measurement applicable for the serving, add a couple of tablespoons of milk or water, and warmth on medium-low warmth stirring continuously.
Within the oven: place thawed mac and cheese in an oven-safe dish. Preheat oven to 350F and then bake it for 15-20 minutes, relying on the quantity of mac and cheese you have this may fluctuate.
Greatest approach to reheat baked mac and cheese
Bear in mind I discussed that baked mac and cheese has a barely completely different texture than creamy, stove-top mac and cheese? Heating it up will make a little bit of a distinction.
I extremely counsel you reheat the baked mac and cheese both within the microwave or within the oven. For each strategies you’ll want:
- An oven save or microwave-safe dish
- Add some liquid (ideally milk) to the baked mac and cheese, about 1 tablespoon per serving.
- Cowl with plastic wrap for the microwave, or foil for the oven technique. You wan the liquid to warmth and steam the pasta to forestall it from drying out.
Freezer-friendly mac and cheese recipes
If you wish to make boxed mac and cheese and freeze it, nice! No judgment. If you’re searching for a couple of freezer-friendly mac and cheese recipes listed here are some you can attempt:
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- Do-it-yourself Range-High Mac and Cheese
- Oat Milk Mac and Cheese (Vegan)
- Wholesome Veggie Mac & Cheese
