You have cooked the tasty scalloped potatoes. Unfortunately, you can’t finish your meal at once. What to do with the leftovers? Can You Freeze Scalloped Potatoes?
The answer is yes. You can save your dish in the fridge for the next serving.
The dish may also contain onions, bacon, or breadcrumbs. To maintain the texture of the cooked scalloped potato before freezing, take the potatoes from the microwave before cooking.
This article will reveal some tips to freeze scalloped potatoes.
Let’s read on to discover!
How To Freeze Scalloped Potatoes?
Freezing scalloped potatoes is a straightforward process. You can accomplish it with three steps as follows.
Step 1: Bake your food
If the casserole you’re cooking contains raw meat, cook the dish before cooling and freezing it.
You don’t need to cook your dish if your dish is pre-cooked or doesn’t have meat at all. You can cook the dish later after storing it in the fridge.
To begin, collect your favorite recipe and all of the ingredients for the casserole.
Combine all of the ingredients in a casserole and cook until your potatoes turn golden brown.
It would be best if you didn’t bake them until they’re completely done. It’s ideal if you cook your food around 75% of the way.
Step 2: Cool your food
Remove the entire dish from the heat and store it in the fridge right away. For hygienic reasons, you need to pause the cooking time and immediately reduce the temperature of the meal.
Step 3: Put your food in the fridge
After the meal has cooled down, you have two ways to deal with your dish.
- Method 1: For the entire dish
If you plan to serve a scalloped potato dish in its entirety, you need to bake it in the same container it was par-cooked in.
After that, take a piece of baking parchment to lay over the casserole’s top.
Then, wrap the dish securely with aluminum foil and store it in the freezer.
- Method 2: For small pieces
Some people like to prepare scalloped potatoes for being used as little make-ahead dinners.
If you are among them, simply split out the quantity required per serve into sealed, freezer-compatible jars.
How Long Can You Freeze Scalloped Potatoes?
Freezing scalloped potatoes helps avoid food waste. It can also save your time when preparing for the next meal.
On average, you can freeze the scalloped potatoes in the fridge for about two to three weeks.
This storing time ensures the quality and textile of your dish.
How To Defrost Scalloped Potatoes?
Take the scalloped potatoes out of the refrigerator when you want to eat them.
You can defrost the food ahead of time in the fridge. The alternative option is to heat the entire dish directly in the oven.
Both techniques work perfectly, although heating the frozen food in the oven may take a short time.
Extra Tips And Warnings For Freezing Scalloped Potatoes
There would be some changes in your food after freezing and defrosting. You should pay attention and be ready for them.
- It’s possible that roasting the frozen scalloped potatoes will lengthen the preparation time.
- The flavor and texture of scalloped potatoes can change after freezing. The quality of the potatoes will deteriorate if you store them over the suggested storage duration.
Some misfortune may happen to your dish. But don’t worry! There are a few tips that save your day.
- Cook the scalloped potatoes until they hit an internal temperature of about 165°F, which is considered safe.
- Don’t cook your dish entirely before freezing.
- If your scalloped potatoes look overly thick, add some milk once they have done thawing.
Can You Freeze Uncooked Scalloped Potatoes?
Yes, you certainly can. For optimum results, keep your food in a sealed jar and freeze them.
You may also freeze the potatoes in the baking dish if you pack them securely in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
Keep in mind that freezing those dishes might affect their flavor and texture.
However, although it’s possible, freezing uncooked potatoes is not advisable. Water is abundant in raw potatoes. The water freezes, making the potatoes grainy and mushy when thawed.
The Bottom Line
You can freeze scalloped potatoes within the recommended duration. For the best result, you can choose to cook your dish beforehand or not, depending on your food ingredient. Remember that don’t cook it thoroughly.
After freezing, you can defrost and re-cook the potatoes. You also need to expect the changed flavor and texture of your dish.
Hopefully, you will find this article helpful. If you need any further information, please feel free to ask. Thank you for reading!
