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.

  • Barefoot Contessa Company Pot Roast

    17 Ina Garten Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze for Later (8)

    If you’re in the mood for pot roast but only have a few mouths to feed, freeze the leftovers! Everyone knows leftovers taste better the second time anyway.

    Get the recipe from Leite’s Culinaria.

  • 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 homemade food can you freeze? ›

Not all recipes are freezer-friendly, but these dishes—from chicken noodle soup to classic lasagna—are sure to reheat beautifully and taste as good as new. Choose from dozens of delicious freezer meals including casseroles, baked pasta dishes, gumbo, pot roast, slow-cooker soups and stews, and more.

How do you freeze meals in advance? ›

Freeze in Airtight Bags or Containers. Using an airtight container or bag to freeze your food will help increase the quality of your frozen food for a longer period of time because it will limit the food's exposure to air.

Is Ina Garten leaving Food Network? ›

Barefoot Contessa hasn't produced new episodes since 2021, and anyone who still has cable knows that Food Network doesn't show Garten's TV shows as often as we'd like. However, Garten recently announced that she's working on new episodes for the cooking network.

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 meals can I batch cook and freeze? ›

Freezable family recipes
  • Sausage pasta bake. A star rating of 4.4 out of 5. ...
  • Meatballs in tomato, cardamom & lime sauce. A star rating of 3.8 out of 5. ...
  • Chicken & chorizo ragu. ...
  • Broccoli stem falafel bowl. ...
  • Creamy halloumi & tomato curry. ...
  • Chicken & bacon pie. ...
  • App onlyCheesy potato patchwork pie. ...
  • Peanut butter chicken.

What foods shouldn't be frozen? ›

These foods should never be stored in your freezer, but if you do, we have a few tips on how you can use them.
  • 01 of 14. Leafy Greens. Akepong Srichaichana / EyeEm/Getty Images. ...
  • 02 of 14. Raw Eggs. ...
  • 03 of 14. Cheese. ...
  • 04 of 14. Avocado. ...
  • 05 of 14. Sour Cream. ...
  • 06 of 14. Yogurt. ...
  • 07 of 14. Jell-O. ...
  • 08 of 14. Cream Cheese.
Aug 27, 2023

Which food is not okay to freeze? ›

These include anything with both a high water content and a cell structure that will burst from the expansion of the freezing water. Examples include cucumbers, grapes, and all but the firmest vegetables. Some cheeses freeze well but others like ricotta or even sour cream tend to get gritty.

What are good casseroles to freeze? ›

15 Make-and-Freeze Casseroles for Time-Saving Dinners
  • 01 of 15. Tuna Noodle Casserole I. ...
  • 02 of 15. Pesto Chicken Penne Casserole. ...
  • 03 of 15. Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups. ...
  • 04 of 15. Baked Ziti IV. ...
  • 05 of 15. Ham, Potato and Broccoli Casserole. ...
  • 06 of 15. Hot Tamale Pie. ...
  • 07 of 15. Spaghetti Pie II. ...
  • 08 of 15. Crunchy Eggplant Parmesan.
Jan 29, 2021

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

Foods That Do Not Freeze Well (SP 50-766)
FoodsUsual use
Icings made from egg whitesCakes, cookies
Cream or custard fillingsPies, baked goods
Milk sauces and graviesFor casseroles or gravies
Sour creamAs topping, in salads
15 more rows

Can you freeze scrambled eggs? ›

You can also freeze scrambled eggs after they have been cooked. This is a good way to meal prep for the week and to use in dishes like ham fried rice, or for a quick breakfast. They freeze well and taste really good. Let the cooked scrambled eggs cool completely.

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.

Do mashed potatoes freeze well? ›

Schmidt tells us that, for best results, you can keep mashed potatoes in "a freezer set to 0°F or colder" for "up to one year." At this temperature and for this length of time, frozen mashed potatoes can be thawed and reheated without losing texture or flavor (and without risking the transmission of foodborne bacteria) ...

Can I freeze spaghetti? ›

You can! Just make sure to cool the spaghetti completely before freezing, transfer properly in an airtight container or freezer bag, and label it with the date. Can you freeze cooked pasta with sauce? You can, but if possible, it is best to freeze the sauce and pasta separately for best texture.

What brand of dishes does Ina Garten use? ›

If you're looking for a Barefoot Contessa-approved set, check out the Maison pattern from Crate and Barrel, a mainstay Ina has said she owns over the years. Another, pricier option is the White Dinnerware set from Pillivuyt, a French brand Ina recommends for serving ware as well.

What is the order of Ina Garten's cookbooks? ›

Ina Garten Books Overview
  • The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook. ...
  • Barefoot Contessa Parties! ...
  • Barefoot Contessa Family Style. ...
  • Barefoot in Paris. ...
  • Barefoot Contessa at Home. ...
  • Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics.

Which Ina Garten cookbook should I buy first? ›

Garten answered her fan from Nebraska's pressing question by suggesting she start with "The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook." Garten wrote, "I always recommend that beginner cooks start with 'The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook,' which is filled with the easy recipes that I used to make at my specialty food store in East Hampton ...

What is Ina Garten's newest cookbook? ›

Go-To Dinners

Cooking night after night during the pandemic inspired her to re-think the way she approached dinner, and the result is this collection of comforting and delicious recipes that you'll love preparing and serving.

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