Freezing a casserole...

[bunch]

I just made pastitsio (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/pastitsio-recipe/index.html) and put it in 2 casserole dishes. Do I prebake it before freezing? Half way?

[speckledfrog]

I would freeze it unbaked.

[CloudBee]

I always pre-bake things like this, let them thaw about halfway when we want it, then toss into the oven.

[sjh722]

I wouldn't bake before freezing.

[isabel]

I never bake before freezing something like this. If you put it in the oven before thawing slightly I would just be sure to cover with foil first and let it bake a little longer. Remove foil at the end for browning.

[bunch]

Ok, I didn't pre bake. We had the other for dinner, it was FANTASTIC!

[froggy76]

Mmmm... I love pastitsio. Gotta try this!

[Pilsy]

I have a dumb question for those of you who don't prebake. If you're giving a casserole to a friend (say, one with a new baby), do you prebake or deliver it unbaked and frozen?

Whether it's for you or someone else, what is the harm in baking it when you make it? Does the quality really deteriorate if you freeze it after baking and are simply reheating when you want to eat it?

I am new to cooking and need all the tips you can give. Thanks!

[froggy76]

Oct 8, 2012 7:27:31 GMT -5 Pilsy said:

I have a dumb question for those of you who don't prebake. If you're giving a casserole to a friend (say, one with a new baby), do you prebake or deliver it unbaked and frozen?

A friend brought us a bunch of frozen casseroles after DD was born and she didn't pre-bake them. She just wrapped each one in plastic wrap and aluminum foil and stuck a post-it on top with baking instructions.

I don't see the benefit of pre-baking because you'll just need to bake it again when you want to eat it. With something like pasta, baking it twice would probably overcook the pasta.

[Deleted]

Oct 8, 2012 7:27:31 GMT -5 Pilsy said:

I have a dumb question for those of you who don't prebake. If you're giving a casserole to a friend (say, one with a new baby), do you prebake or deliver it unbaked and frozen?

Whether it's for you or someone else, what is the harm in baking it when you make it? Does the quality really deteriorate if you freeze it after baking and are simply reheating when you want to eat it?

I am new to cooking and need all the tips you can give. Thanks!

Depending on the item, it can affect the food quality. So can thawing a frozen meat before it is cooked.