Can you freeze meatloaf? Yes, you can! It is one of the first freezer meals that I ever made. In fact I never make just one meatloaf, I always make three! I bake one and freeze the other two. This is a great tip for busy weeknights.
To freeze your meatloaf you can do so either baked or unbaked. I personally prefer mine unbaked because I find that it doesn't dry out after the freezing and re-heating process.
Can you freeze meatloaf?
To freeze unbaked: After prepared flash freeze then remove from the pan and place into a freezer safe container (or use your food saver) and date.
To freeze baked: After cooked allow to cool completely then flash freeze and remove from the pan and place into a freezer safe container (or use you food saver) and date.
Use the meatloaf within three - four months. If frozen unbaked, cook the meatloaf for 1 1/2 hours at 350 degrees or reheat a baked meatloaf for one hour. You can thaw your meatloaf by placing it back into the original pan in the refrigerator for approximately 24 hours.
A great tip for freezer cooking is to consider using a Muffin Tin - it saves you so much time on baking and is a great portion control too!
I serve with Broccoli Casserole and Mashed Potatoes. This is my favorite Meatloaf recipe. It is always a winner at my house.
Meatloaf Tips:
Use plastic gloves when you prepare your meatloaf - It really cuts down on the clean up!
Meatloaf Recipes:
Melissa is a soccer mom who has been married to her best friend for 21 years. She loves sharing recipes, travel reviews and tips that focus on helping busy families make memories.
Heather Pfingsten
I plan on trying this with UNbaked meatloaf. TY
Abbie
How long and at what temperature do you cook the muffin tin meatloaf after it's been frozen (unbanked)?
Anna
I love this idea! I gather you flash freeze the unbaked mini meatloaves in the muffin tin. Do you move them to another container afterwards? If so, what type of container?
Melissa@StockpilingMoms
I do - I put them in a freezer safe container after frozen and then I thaw them and bake them.
Sean
Hello,
Due to an increased work schedule prepping everything and freezing seems to be the way to go. But the ins and outs are new to me. What do you mean by "flash freeze?" Does it require special equipment? If not what is the process? How long does it take? Or I am I just over thinking it and is it a simple as preparing, letting cool, storing it, and freezing? Any help would be great. Thanks. Sean
Melissa@StockpilingMoms
Here you go! 🙂 https://www.stockpilingmoms.com/2013/01/how-do-you-flash-freeze-food/
April
After thawing, do you move the mini meatloaves back to the muffin pan for baking?
Melissa@StockpilingMoms
Yes, I do 🙂
Katherine Koshaish
Thank you for letting me know how to cook a frozen unbaked meatloaf! I will try the muffin pan next time.
Ruth Hogg
Well I am a senior, and preparing for one can be a challenge, this is awesome! Thank you so much for this information.
I love meatloaf but don't want to eat it for a week!
Ruth
Melissa Jennings
We are thinking of developing a meal plan for singles. I am wondering if you might enjoy that?
Angela
I froze an uncooked meatloaf and put it in the fridge to thaw Friday night. My grandmother passed away and we were brought a lot of food. It’s now Tuesday. My question is...would it still be safe to cook tonight?
Melissa Jennings
I think so. Does it smell ok? Since it was was frozen it prob. didn't thaw out until Sunday. I am so sorry about your Grandmother's passing.