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.
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.
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Baked Rigatoni With Lamb Ragù
Image Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto 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
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Truffled Mac & Cheese
Image Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto Truffle lovers, rejoice! Ina really appeals to the mushroom lovers with his easy (and freezable) comfort dish. You can also substitute whatever pasta you have on hand if you don’t have cavatappi.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa
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Penne Alla Vodka
Image Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto 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
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Zucchini Basil Soup
Image Credit: What's Margot Making. 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
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Mexican Chicken Soup
Image Credit: Getty Images 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.
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Ina Garten’s Unforgettable Beef Stew
Image Credit: Veggies By Candlelight. 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.
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Barefoot Contessa Company Pot Roast
Image Credit: Leite's Culinaria. 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.
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Ina Garten’s Easy Tomato Soup
Image Credit: Leite's Culinaria. 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.
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Ina Garten’s Roasted Tomato Basil Soup
Image Credit: Little Broken. 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.
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Baked Pasta With Tomatoes and Eggplant
Image Credit: Leite's Culinaria. 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.
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Ina Garten’s Roast Chicken
Image Credit: The Cozy Cook. 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.
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Ina Garten’s Root Vegetable Gratin
Image Credit: Smitten Kitchen. 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.
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Ina Garten’s Outrageous Brownies
Image Credit: Brown Eyed Baker. What makes these brownies so outrageous? Besides walnuts, you’ll need to try them and see.
Get the recipe from Brown Eyed Baker.
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Ina Garten’s Pastitsio
Image Credit: Vodka and Bistuits. Never had pastitsio? 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.
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Ina Garten’s Fresh Salmon Cakes
Image Credit: Whisk it Real Gud. 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.
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Ina Garten’s Lemon Chicken
Image Credit: The PKP Way. 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.
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Ina Garten’s Cioppino
Image Credit: Foodie Crush. Think you’re not fancy enough to make seafood stew? Think again.
Get the recipe from Foodie Crush.
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17 Ina Garten Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze Later
Image Credit: Getty Images. Don’t forget to pin these for later!
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