Cooking and then freezing a sausage casserole

sophie131

Hiya!

I plan on making a large sausage casserole next weekend and then freezing it in portions. I haven't really batch cooked before, so I have just a couple of questions.

Do I need to let it defrost before I microwave it or can it be microwaved from frozen?

How long will it keep for in the freezer?

What veg goes well in a sausage casserole, I plan on putting sweet potatoes, carrots and peas but is there another veg I could sneak in?

Many thanks for your help

Tinwhistler

I would thaw it the day of use in the morning. Onion and Apple would be nice in it as it's nice and chunky but with give to it.

Eyeore

i too would defrost before cooking but then i rarely cook from frozen. I put orange/red/yellow pepper, mushrooms and courgettes in my sausage casserole (can't abide green pepper!) I think it will keep for quite a while in the freezer.

sooty&sweep

Hi
I often put beans or lentils along with onions & celeryin a sausage casserole.
I defrost from frozen if necessary or if I remember I'll defrost beforehand.
If I'm making for the freezer I don't put peppers or mushrooms in beforehand as I'm not keen on them after they've been in the freezer. I also tend to overcook them so they disintegrate through the cooking & reheating and it takes up extra space in the freezer. I'll often add them as I'm reheating the casserole though.
Jen

Linda32

Yes, I defrost first as well. Pop it into the fridge teatime the night before you
want to eat it to defrost. ThenI reheat at gas mark 6 for 30 minutes.

To stretch it further I use the casserole as the 'meat' portion of the meal, then at potatoes and veg.

krlyr

It will last indefinately in the freezer. With longer storage times, you run the risk of a loss of taste and/or texture, but food won't go 'off' in the freezer.

I would happily heat something like this straight from frozen. What I wouldn't do it part-heat and leave it sitting around lukewarm for a while before heating the rest (so no zapping in the microwave when you get home to take the chill off it then finishing it off just before dinnertime), I would make sure I heat it all the way to piping hot, but I often forget (or don't bother) to get things like cooked mince meats, casseroles, etc. out to defrost and have never had a problem cooking straight from frozen.