Quick Answer
Yes, broccoli rice casserole can be frozen successfully. Broccoli rice casserole is a creamy, cheesy casserole that typically contains broccoli, rice, cheese, cream soup, and seasonings. It freezes well due to its high moisture content and holds up nicely when thawed and reheated later.
To freeze broccoli rice casserole, first prepare the casserole according to your favorite recipe. Allow it to cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers leaving about 1/2 inch headspace. Seal the containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating in a 375°F oven until hot and bubbly, about 30 minutes. Stir halfway through reheating for best results.
Can You Freeze Cooked Rice?
Rice is one of the ingredients commonly used in broccoli rice casserole recipes. Since the rice is already cooked when making the casserole, it’s important to know how cooked rice freezes.
Cooked rice can be frozen, but the texture tends to degrade and get mushy when thawed later. To freeze cooked rice:
– Cook the rice completely and let it cool. Spread it out on a baking sheet so it can cool quickly.
– Portion the rice into freezer bags or airtight containers, removing as much air as possible. Flatten the bags or containers so the rice freezes in an even layer.
– Label the rice with the date and freeze for up to 6 months.
– When ready to use, thaw the frozen rice in the refrigerator overnight. The rice may be mushy in texture once thawed. Best uses are in casseroles, stir-fries, soups, etc.
So while cooked rice can degrade in texture when frozen, it works well incorporated into broccoli rice casseroles since the other ingredients help mask the change in texture.
Can You Freeze Broccoli?
Broccoli is another common ingredient in broccoli rice casserole. Since the broccoli is cooked when making the casserole, it’s also important to understand how frozen broccoli compares to fresh.
Broccoli can be frozen raw or cooked:
– To freeze raw broccoli, wash, trim, and cut into pieces. Blanch for 1-3 minutes until bright green. Immediately transfer to an ice bath to stop the cooking. Pat dry and freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to bags.
– To freeze cooked broccoli, steam or boil until tender-crisp. Drain, pat dry, and allow to cool completely before freezing.
– Frozen broccoli is best used within 8-10 months for peak quality. Thaw before using in casseroles and other dishes.
The texture of thawed frozen broccoli will be softer than fresh. But the flavor is maintained through freezing. And since broccoli is mixed into a creamy casserole, the change in texture is not noticeable. So using frozen broccoli in broccoli rice casserole is perfectly fine.
Can You Freeze Cream Soup?
Many broccoli rice casserole recipes call for cream soup, like cream of mushroom, celery, chicken, or cheddar soup. So can these canned soups be frozen?
Canned cream soups freeze well for up to 4-6 months. To freeze:
– Make sure the soup is fresh and hasn’t been previously frozen. Cream soups that separate after thawing will not work as well.
– Portion the soup into freezer bags or containers, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Remove as much air as possible before sealing.
– Flatten bags or stack containers in freezer to save space.
– Label with name of soup and date frozen.
Thaw cream soups overnight in the refrigerator before using. Stir well once thawed and heated through. The soup may appear slightly thinner after thawing but will still work great in creamy casseroles.
So go ahead and stock up on canned cream soups when they are on sale. Just portion and freeze extras to pull out later for convenient broccoli rice casseroles.
Can You Freeze Cheese?
Many broccoli rice casserole recipes also include cheese, such as shredded cheddar, Swiss, Monterey Jack, or cheese sauce. How does cheese hold up when frozen?
Cheese can be successfully frozen in these ways:
| Cheese Type | Freezing Method |
|---|---|
| Hard cheeses (cheddar, Parmesan, etc.) | Grate first, then freeze in airtight bags or containers. Thaw in refrigerator before use. |
| Soft cheeses (mozzarella, Brie, etc.) | Cut into chunks, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then freeze. Thaw in refrigerator. |
| Shredded cheese | Spread in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze. Once frozen, transfer to airtight bags or containers. |
| Cheese sauce | Freeze in an airtight container, leaving headspace. Thaw in refrigerator before reheating gently. |
The texture of cheese tends to become more crumbly after freezing. But frozen cheese works well incorporated into flavorful casseroles. Just be sure to thaw the cheese properly in the refrigerator before using.
So go ahead and buy cheese on sale and freeze any extras. Thawed cheese can help cut costs when making broccoli rice casserole and other cheesy dishes.
Can You Freeze Butter?
Many broccoli rice casserole recipes start by cooking onions and other vegetables in butter. Butter can also be used to prepare the casserole dish before baking. So can butter be frozen too?
Yes, butter can be frozen for up to 6-9 months with minimal loss of texture or flavor. Here are some tips:
– Freeze butter in its original packaging or wrap tightly in plastic wrap, waxed paper, or foil. Portion into usable amounts.
– Freeze in an airtight container with parchment paper between portions to make it easy to remove sticks as needed.
– Thaw refrigerated butter overnight in the refrigerator before use. Allow room temperature butter to soften on the counter for 1-2 hours.
– Whip thawed butter vigorously with a fork to regain a creamy, spreadable texture.
So go ahead and stock up on butter when it’s on sale too. Having frozen butter on hand makes it easy to prepare broccoli rice casserole and other recipes calling for butter.
Can You Freeze Milk?
Milk is another common ingredient used in broccoli rice casserole recipes to add creaminess. How well does milk freeze?
Milk can be successfully frozen for 2-3 months when properly stored. Here are some freezing tips:
– Freeze milk in plastic freezer-safe containers or freezer bags. Make sure to leave about 1/2 inch headspace to allow for expansion.
– Try freezing in ice cube trays for easy portioning later. Once frozen, pop out the cubes and store in bags.
– Thaw frozen milk overnight in the refrigerator before use. Shake gently once thawed.
– Use thawed frozen milk for cooking and baking purposes like casseroles. The texture may be slightly thinner so avoid drinking thawed milk.
Freezing causes some separation in milk fat, so thawed milk works best in recipes where its incorporated into other ingredients. Using thawed frozen milk in broccoli rice casserole is a great idea.
Instructions for Freezing Broccoli Rice Casserole
Now that you know the key ingredients in broccoli rice casserole freeze well, let’s cover the best practices for freezing the finished casserole:
1. Prepare the broccoli rice casserole according to your favorite recipe, using ingredients appropriate for freezing if desired.
2. Allow the casserole to cool completely. Broccoli rice casserole needs to chill for at least 2-3 hours in the refrigerator before freezing.
3. Transfer the cooled casserole to a freezer-safe container, leaving about 1/2 inch headspace at the top.
4. Seal the container tightly. For extra protection, you can double wrap with aluminum foil or freezer bags.
5. Label the container with the name and date. Include reheating instructions.
6. Freeze for up to 3 months until ready to use. Place flat in the freezer to save space.
7. Thaw the frozen broccoli rice casserole overnight in the refrigerator. This allows time for the casserole to thaw gradually and evenly.
8. Reheat the thawed casserole in a 375°F oven until heated through, about 30 minutes. You may want to stir halfway for more even heating.
9. Serve the reheated broccoli rice casserole immediately. Enjoy the convenient, homemade meal!
Tips for Freezing Broccoli Rice Casserole
Follow these tips for best results freezing broccoli rice casserole:
– Use freezer-safe containers. Durable plastic, aluminum, or glass containers all work well. Avoid using cardboard, as it can become soggy.
– Make sure to leave headspace in containers to allow for food expansion during freezing.
– Cool casserole completely before freezing for food safety. Freezing a big dish like casserole takes time.
– Double wrap the frozen casserole for extra protection. Use aluminum foil over the container lid or place inside a freezer bag.
– Label casseroles with contents and date frozen. Include thawing and reheating instructions.
– Don’t overfill containers, as casseroles expand slightly during freezing.
– Use thawed frozen casserole within 3-4 days for best quality and food safety.
– Casserole may require an extra 5-10 minutes of oven time after thawing to heat all the way through.
Storage Time for Frozen Broccoli Rice Casserole
How long does frozen broccoli rice casserole last? Properly frozen casserole maintains best quality for:
– Freezer: 3 months
– Thawed in refrigerator: 3-4 days
The freezer time of 3 months allows you to prepare broccoli rice casserole ahead when time permits. Simply thaw and reheat portions as needed for quick family meals.
Monitor casseroles for signs of freezer burn after prolonged freezing, including dried out patches or changes in color or texture. Use oldest casseroles first for optimal freshness and quality.
Can You Freeze Already Thawed Broccoli Rice Casserole?
What if you thawed broccoli rice casserole in the refrigerator but didn’t end up eating it? Can you safely freeze the casserole again?
It’s not recommended to refreeze a casserole that has already been thawed. Refreezing increases risk of bacterial growth.
Instead, eat thawed broccoli rice casserole within 3-4 days. Make sure to store it carefully in the refrigerator until ready to reheat and serve.
You can also safely repurpose thawed broccoli rice casserole in these creative ways:
– Turn into broccoli rice casserole soup by thinning with chicken or vegetable broth. Enjoy as a creamy soup.
– Layer into a casserole dish to make a crisp or pot pie. Top with biscuits, bread crumbs, mashed potatoes, or pie crust.
– Stuff into hollowed out bread loaves or peppers for a fun spin.
– Use as a burrito or quesadilla filling by warming with salsa, beans, etc.
With a little creativity, thawed broccoli rice casserole doesn’t have to go to waste!
Conclusion
Broccoli rice casserole is a freezer-friendly comfort food dish. Key ingredients like broccoli, rice, cream soup, cheese, and butter all freeze well with minimal impact to taste or texture.
Prepare broccoli rice casserole according to your favorite recipe. Allow to cool fully, then transfer to airtight freezer-safe containers leaving headspace. Seal, label, and freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw frozen broccoli rice casserole in the refrigerator before reheating in a 375°F oven until hot and bubbly. Enjoy the convenience of having this cheesy, wholesome casserole ready to enjoy anytime!