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 storyThere's Still Time to Order Ina Garten's Signature Carrot Cake for Your Easter Dinner

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

    17 Ina Garten Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze for Later (14)

    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 cooked meals can be frozen? ›

Choose from dozens of delicious freezer meals including casseroles, baked pasta dishes, gumbo, pot roast, slow-cooker soups and stews, and more. You guests will never guess that you just popped that Turkey-Noodle-Poppy Seed Casserole out of the freezer.

Can you freeze Ina Garten tomato soup? ›

I use my garden plum tomatoes and fresh garden basil and thyme for this recipe. Other then that I stick to the Contessa’s recipe, you can’t go wrong. I freeze most of it for the colder months, works out well. So don’t be afraid to freeze this soup.

What food should not be frozen? ›

Here are 12 common ingredients that don't freeze well due to quality issues and safety concerns.
  • 01 of 12. Milk. ...
  • 02 of 12. Mayonnaise. ...
  • 03 of 12. Cream Cheese. ...
  • 04 of 12. Cucumbers. ...
  • 05 of 12. Zucchini. ...
  • 06 of 12. Lettuce and Cabbage. ...
  • 07 of 12. Tomatoes. ...
  • 08 of 12. Baked and Boiled Potatoes.
Oct 5, 2022

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.

Can you pre cook meals and freeze them? ›

A simple quick-cooking technique is to make extra food at one meal and freeze for future meals. Or, to prepare food ahead and freeze for enjoying at a later time. One easy method of freezing foods, including liquid foods such as soups and stews, is to freeze them in freezer bags.

Does mashed potato freeze well? ›

Yes, you can. Freezing mashed potatoes is a great way to plan for the holidays or avoid wasting any leftovers. Read on to learn how to freeze mashed potatoes for later. You'll also find the best way to reheat frozen mashed potatoes so they are still amazingly fluffy and creamy.

What is Ina Garten's favorite meal? ›

The one meal Ina simply couldn't live without is roast chicken. She even cites it as one of the reasons her husband, Jeffrey, proposed marriage in 1968.

What is Ina Garten most famous for? ›

The recipes that made Ina Garten Famous!
  • the ultimate chocolate cake. If you haven't tried this classic Ina Garten recipe yet, prepare to shove aside every other chocolate cake you've ever tried. ...
  • cauliflower gratin. ...
  • brownie pudding. ...
  • buttermilk bran muffins. ...
  • 1770 House meatloaf.
Mar 12, 2022

What does Ina Garten not like? ›

During an interview on Vice's "Munchies: The Podcast", Garten revealed that cilantro is actually one of her most hated foods. While she hates the flavor of cilantro, she also feels it steals too much of the spotlight.

What soups should not be frozen? ›

Soups with a creamy consistency, like potato or chowders, might not taste good after freezing because it affects the texture and makes potatoes mushy. Rice, beans, and noodle soups might also taste different or become mushy. Typically, broth-based soups will freeze well.

Can you freeze tomato soup in Ziploc bags? ›

Portion It Out

Quart-size freezer bags (or 4-cup freezer-safe plastic or glass containers) will accommodate a single serving while giving the soup room to expand as it freezes, plus when frozen flat, they stack easily. You'll have the perfect amount of soup when you want just one meal—ideal for portion control.

How long does homemade tomato soup last in the freezer? ›

Tomato soup can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

What are three foods that don't freeze well? ›

8 foods your freezer can ruin, if you're not careful
  • Certain vegetables.
  • Fresh herbs.
  • Liquid and cultured dairy.
  • Cheese.
  • Eggs.
  • Custard or meringue-based desserts.
  • Cured meats.
  • Spices.
Mar 26, 2024

How do you batch cook and freeze meals? ›

Cool the food quickly after cooking and before freezing. One way of doing this is to split the food out into smaller portions. One of the simplest ways to approach batch cooking is to make one base recipe which can be adapted into different dishes.

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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