Make sure that you cool the food you are going to store very quickly. You can use an ice water bath or place the baking dish or skillet in the refrigerator until the food is cold. Then cover or wrap the food well and be sure to label the food so you know what you've got in your treasure trove! Store the food in the refrigerator, or freeze for longer storage; then all you have to do is heat it. What luxury.
Most casseroles, soups, and marinated meats take very well to this type of cooking. Just be sure that the meats you use are either fully cooked when refrigerated, or not cooked at all. Partially cooking meats then refrigerating them is just asking for trouble. To adapt a recipe that doesn't give you make-ahead instructions, just assemble it up to the final cooking time, then refrigerate. The baking time will be a bit longer when the food is right out of the refrigerator; figure 1/3 more time, but watch carefully in the final minutes!
You could also think about packaging casseroles or soups in individual serving containers, then your busy family can pull out a healthy meal and eat in minutes, whenever they're in the mood. Enjoy.
Make Ahead Recipes
- Overnight Lasagna
- Chicken Ziti Casserole
- Tuna Alfredo Casserole
- Chicken Manicotti
- Wild Rice Turkey Bake
- Ham and Polenta Casserole
- Fish Fillet and Bean Bake
- Salmon Chowder
- Potato Carrot Soup
- Overnight French Toast Bake
- Updated Meatball Stew
- Marinated Steak
- Chuck Wagon Packets
- Chili Rice Casserole
- Overnight Meatball Casserole
