It is possible to freeze cabbage casserole. You can store it in the freezer for at least three months before it loses flavor, which is an excellent method to prepare your meals faster as you can make this dish in advance and preserve them for later usage.
Cabbage is one of those few vegetables that manage to retain its tasty flavor even after a freeze. Therefore, the mode of freezing cabbage casserole can be pretty effective.
However, to successfully freeze your cabbage casserole, you should know some crucial tips and tricks.
Related: The ultimate list of vegetables you should know about
Best Ways To Freeze Cabbage Casserole
The best way to store this dish in the freezer is to freeze it before baking.
If you plan to cook it often, you can arrange all the ingredients and assemble them in the casserole. After that, cover the casserole with foil and plastic wrap before leaving it in the freezer.
Still, it is essential to emphasize that since cabbage casserole usually has ground pork in the recipe, you should cook meat thoroughly before gathering them in the pan for freezing.
Frozen meat may take a much longer time to be heated and cooked than vegetables and other ingredients.
Thus, freezing raw pork in an uncooked casserole is not a brilliant idea. In case you do not have any meat in the mixture, freeze them all right away.
This technique is said to help the mixture last longer in the freezer and avoid specific quality effects. If you want to save pre-cooked casserole, put the food into an airtight container or freezer bag.
Whenever you dine, thaw it in a refrigerator and reheat it in the oven for about 15 minutes.
Of course, with baked casserole, it is recommended to use it within 3-4 weeks since casserole may lose its best taste over time.
How Long Does Cooked Cabbage Last In The Refrigerator?
Fresh cabbage should be used within two weeks when carefully wrapped in plastic or wrapper and stored in the crisper. Unfortunately, cooked one cannot stay in the fridge for such an extended amount of time.
If you have some leftovers, remember to cover them in shallow airtight containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. This wrapping helps to maximize the vegetable’s shelf life as well as ensure its quality and food safety. In the best scenario, cooked cabbage may last for 3 to 5 days when stored in the refrigerator.
So long as you expect to preserve them for over six months, it is suggested to utilize a freezer. A freezer set at 0°F may allow cooked cabbage to maintain its quality for at most 12 months.
You should never leave your cooked cabbage at room temperature because experts report that from 40°F to 140°F, an enormous amount of bacteria will grow, thus spoiling the cabbage. Therefore, try storing your cooked cabbage in the refrigerator or, if necessary, in the freezer to prevent food waste.
A Good Recipe To Freeze
There are several good recipes that you can prepare beforehand and store in the fridge for any unplanned feast. Some of those are cabbage casserole, roasted cabbage steak, or stuffed cabbage rolls. Here is one flavorful yet easy-to-make roll recipe for your reference:
Ingredients:
- 3 pounds of head cabbage
- ½ pound ground pork
- ½ pound ground beef
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- ½ cup uncooked grain rice
- Chopped onion
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ½ ounces diced tomatoes
How to cook cabbage roll:
- Step 1: Boil the cabbage and take 12 large leaves out to prepare for the rolls. Mix all the pork, beef, tomato sauce, salt, and onion.
- Step 2: Slice the thick vein of each leaf to make it easier to roll. Put around four tablespoons of the filling mixture on a leaf, then fold it properly, so the filling does not fall out of the leaf. Repeat until all the filling is used.
- Step 3: Cut the remaining cabbage into slices and place them on the tray. Set the rolls over the sliced cabbage. Pour the mixture of tomatoes, sugar, and tomato sauce all over the rolls. Cover the tray and bake for about an hour at 350°F.
If you want to freeze the food, finish the first two steps. After that, store all the unbaked rolls and the leftover cabbage in a freezer bag or container for later use. Then, next time you are tempted to enjoy some cabbage rolls, just thaw them in the fridge for some hours and follow Step 3 to prepare the dish.
Some recipes suggest pouring the sauce in Step 3 on the rolls before freezing. Yet, that practice is only applicable to cooked rolls. If you spoon the sauce over raw rolls, the rolls’ filling may absorb the sauce, which may change their taste during the storage and defrosting process.
What is cabbage casserole?
Cabbage casserole is a dish made from cooked cabbage mixed with other ingredients and baked in a casserole dish. It can be served as a main dish or a side dish.
Some common ingredients used in cabbage casserole include:
- Cabbage
- Onion
- Garlic
- Ground beef or sausage
- Cream of mushroom soup
- Milk
- Salt
- Pepper
Cabbage casserole can be cooked in a variety of ways. Some people choose to fry the cabbage and onion before mixing them with the other ingredients, while others simply mix all the ingredients together and bake them. The dish can also be made using different types of cabbage, such as red cabbage or savoy cabbage.
Is cabbage casserole healthy?
Cabbage casserole is a relatively healthy dish. It is high in fiber and low in calories. It also contains important nutrients, such as vitamin C, vitamin K, and potassium.
Whether you’re looking for a new main dish or side dish to add to your menu, give cabbage casserole a try. It’s easy to make and sure to please everyone at your table.
What are the nutritional values of cabbage casserole?
A single serving of cabbage casserole provides approximately:
- 220 calories
- 8 grams of protein
- 3 grams of fat
- 27 grams of carbohydrates
- 7 grams of dietary fiber
- 800 milligrams of potassium
- 35 micrograms of vitamin K
- 15 milligrams of vitamin C
- 0.5 milligrams of manganese
Plus, cabbage casserole is a good source of phosphorus and selenium.
How to reheat cabbage casserole?
If you have leftovers, you can reheat them in the oven or microwave. To reheat in the oven, place the casserole dish in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook until heated through. To reheat in the microwave, place the casserole on a microwavable plate and cook on high until heated through.
Can you cook cabbage casserole in the slow cooker?
Yes, you can cook cabbage casserole in the slow cooker. Simply combine all the ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.