Explaining how to freeze gratin with photos! Storage period and arrangement recipe released

"Can gratin be frozen?"
"I want to freeze gratin and stock it for lunch boxes. Is it possible?"

Gratin is a frozen food, but some of you may be wondering whether you can freeze it if you make it at home.

In fact, gratin only lasts for about 1 to 2 days even when stored in the refrigerator. Eating food that has been stored incorrectly can lead to food poisoning.

Therefore, this website specializing in food freezing will introduce in detail how to freeze gratin with photos! In addition, we will introduce how to thaw frozen gratin and arrange recipes.

This method is easy to use at home, so please read until the end and use it to your advantage.

Advantages of freezing gratin

Saves a lot of cooking time

Cooking gratin requires time and effort, such as making the white sauce and boiling the macaroni. By freezing the food before baking, you can shorten the cooking time by simply baking it without thawing it, and you can eat it anytime.

Can be used as a convenient make-ahead recipe

By freezing gratin, you can extend its shelf life without worrying about the macaroni becoming soggy. Therefore, it can be conveniently used as a cup gratin that is easy to put in a lunch box, as an extra item on the table, or as a late-night snack.

Freezing method

We will introduce two ways to freeze gratin: one method to freeze it `` before baking'' and one method to freeze ` `after baking.''

Freezing the food before baking is recommended because it reduces the number of times it needs to be heated. If you freeze it after baking, it will be browned, so you can thaw it in the microwave and use it as is for lunch boxes, which is convenient.

How to freeze gratin before baking

1) Remove the heat from the gratin. The texture will be better if you do not include potatoes that are not suitable for freezing.

This is a photo of meat gratin. The freezing method is the same as for white sauce.

2) Place the gratin sauce in a heat-resistant container that can be placed in the oven. The key is to make it as thin and flat as possible so that it thaws easily. (You can add cheese and breadcrumbs at this point or when thawing.)

3) Cover the heat-resistant container from 2) with plastic wrap and place it in a resealable bag such as a ziplock bag.

*Make sure to cover the bag with plastic wrap so that there is no air, and make sure to remove any air from the sealed bag. If you are using white sauce, make sure to seal it tightly as odors can easily transfer from the surrounding area.

4) Place it on a metal tray and put it in the freezer

Thawing frozen gratin may result in the sauce becoming watery.

Freezing gratin after baking

1) Remove the heat from the gratin after baking.
2) Cover the gratin in a heat-resistant container with plastic wrap and place it in a resealable bag such as a ziplock bag.
3) Place it on a metal tray and put it in the freezer.

If you want to use the baked gratin in smaller portions, remove it from the heat-resistant container with a spoon, portion it out, and freeze it.

How to freeze gratin for lunch boxes

1) Transfer the baked gratin to a paper (waterproof) or silicone cup to remove the heat.

2) Cover 1) with plastic wrap, put it in a Ziploc bag, place it on a metal tray, and freeze it (choose one that can withstand -20°C).

[Points to avoid losing flavor when frozen]
・To prevent deterioration due to oxidation due to exposure to the air in the freezer, transfer it to an airtight container and store it with as much air removed as possible.

- Metal trays (especially those made of aluminum) have good thermal conductivity, so the heat from the gratin can be quickly dissipated to the outside. Therefore, it can be frozen more quickly, making it less likely that it will lose its flavor.

How to thaw frozen gratin

When frozen in a heat-resistant container

Frozen gratin will be more delicious if you bake it without thawing it to preserve its flavor.

1) Place the gratin in a heat-resistant container in the oven and bake slowly to prevent it from burning.
2) If the surface seems to start to burn before the inside is cooked, cover with aluminum foil and adjust.

If that doesn't work, try preheating it in the microwave and then browning it in the oven.

When frozen in a Tupperware or Ziploc bag

1) The day before you use it, move it to the refrigerator and thaw it naturally.
2) Bake the thawed food in the oven

If you don't have time, you can defrost it by heating it in the microwave. If you put it in a ziplock bag, you can also thaw it in a hot water bath.

Storage period

The retention period is as follows.

・When storing at room temperature, it will take about 2 to 3 hours depending on the season and room temperature.
・When storing in the refrigerator for about 1 to 2 days (however, if you do not store the macaroni and white sauce separately, the macaroni will become watery)
・If stored frozen, approximately 2 weeks to 1 month

Gratin arrangement recipe

Frozen gratin for kids that is perfect to make ahead of time

Source: https://cookpad.com/recipe/4293261

This cute looking gratin is perfect for special occasions such as home parties and birthdays.

☑材料 （6つ分）
・マカロニ　150g
・ホワイトソース　250ｇ
・玉ねぎ　1個
・ベーコン　50g
・牛乳　適量
・とろけるチーズ　適量
・ミックスベジタブル　適量
・じゃがいも　100g
・アルミカップ　6個

<How to make>
1) Finely chop the onion and bacon and fry until softened.
2) Add a can of white sauce to 1), add milk and when it thickens, season with salt and pepper.
3) Boil the macaroni for the specified time. Boil the potatoes as well.
4) Add macaroni to 2) and mix.
5) Put 4) into an aluminum cup and add the sliced potatoes from 3).
6) Arrange mixed vegetables and cheese to resemble a face and beard.
7) Wrap each piece in plastic wrap and freeze in the freezer.

Arrange with gyoza skin! macaroni gratin

Source: https://cookpad.com/recipe/4455328

You can also freeze gyoza skins! (When you eat it, heat it in the oven without thawing it.)
This is a gratin that can be eaten easily.

☑材料 （４人分）
・マカロニ　40g
・鶏もも肉　120g
・たまねぎ　100g
・バター　30g
・小麦粉　30g
・牛乳　200ccほど
・塩こしょう　少々
・ブロッコリー　50gほど
・餃子の皮　20枚
・ピザ用チーズ　適量
・粉チーズ　適量

<How to make>
1) Boil the macaroni and broccoli until firm. Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. Cut the onion into strips.
2) Melt the butter in a frying pan over medium heat and fry the onion and chicken in that order. Season with salt and pepper.
3) Add the sifted flour to 2) and mix well. Then gradually mix in the milk. If the white sauce is hard, add more milk, and if it's too soft, add more flour.
4) Add macaroni to 3) and mix.
5) Place broccoli and cheese on a gratin dish and bake in a toaster, oven, or grill for about 5 minutes.
7) Place the skin in a silicone lunch cup and place another cup on top. (Use 2 silicone paps)
8) Heat 7) in a 600W microwave for about 30 seconds. Please adjust the time to avoid burning.
9) Once the cup in step 7) is crispy, place step 5) in the cup and bake to complete.

Stew arrangement gratin

Source: https://cookpad.com/recipe/2463011

You can also arrange leftover stew into gratin the next day! Of course, you can also freeze it. When freezing, mash or remove all of the potatoes in the ingredients to keep the texture intact and enjoy the flavor.

☑材料 （2人分）
・残りのシチュー　適量
・マカロニ　100g
・バター　マーガリンでも可　適量
・塩コショウ　少々
・チーズ　　お好みの量

<How to make>
1) Grease a heat-resistant plate with butter or margarine.
2) Arrange the boiled macaroni on top of 1) and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
3) Pour the stew over 2) and add your desired amount of cheese.
4) Bake in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes and it's done.

Free arrangement! easy pumpkin gratin

Source: https://cookpad.com/recipe/720147

Pumpkin gratin is a very popular gratin. It can also be frozen, so you can also make it ahead of time when pumpkin is in season.

☑材料 （４人分）
・かぼちゃ　1/4個
・小麦粉　大さじ２
・たまねぎ１個
・コンソメ顆粒　小さじ２
・しめじ　１袋
・塩　小さじ1
・砂糖　小さじ１　
・牛乳　250ｃｃ
・水 　250ｃｃ
・塩コショウ　少々
・にんにくチューブ　少々
・マカロニ100ｇ
・とろけるチーズ、パルメザンチーズ　適量

<How to make>
1) Cut the onion into thin slices, and remove the stems from the shimeji mushrooms and separate them into small bunches.
2) Cut the pumpkin into thin slices, place in a heat-resistant container, cover with plastic wrap, and heat at 500W for 3 minutes.
3) Add butter and garlic to a frying pan until fragrant, then add onions and shimeji mushrooms and stir-fry.
4) Add the pumpkin to step 3) and once it is mixed, add the flour and mix. Once it's completely mixed, add milk and water.
5) Add consommé, salt, and sugar and bring to a boil, then lower heat to thicken.
6) Place the boiled macaroni in a heat-resistant container and season lightly with salt and pepper.
7) Mix the cream sauce, top with melted cheese and Parmesan cheese, and bake in a 1000W toaster for 5 minutes.

Conclusion

What did you think. If you freeze gratin, you can store it without it becoming watery and you can use it conveniently, so please try making a large amount and freezing it. It's really useful for lunch boxes.

White sauce easily absorbs refrigerator odors and other odors, so be careful when preserving it.