Can macaroni and cheese be frozen?

Macaroni and cheese is an iconic comfort food that almost everyone loves. There are plenty of vegan macaroni and cheese recipes out there because even if you forgo dairy, saying no to macaroni and cheese is too much to expect from any human being.

If you feel like making your own macaroni and cheese from scratch, it’s always a good idea to multiply the amount so you can cook once and eat many, many times.

So, can macaroni and cheese be frozen? Yes, leftover macaroni and cheese can be frozen for up to 18 months, although they will retain their quality better if eaten within 6 months. Make sure the macaroni and cheese comes to room temperature before putting it in the freezer to reduce condensation and freezer burn.

As with any pasta + dairy casserole, you have to prepare it well to be successful when reheating it from the freezer.

If you don’t want your macaroni and cheese to be mushy and have a weird texture, you’ll need to follow a few simple steps to freeze it properly. In this article, we’ll detail those steps and answer all of your questions regarding freezing mac and cheese.

How to Freeze Macaroni and Cheese

Freezing macaroni and cheese isn’t too difficult, but both pasta and dairy can be quite temperamental when it comes to freezing temperatures, so there are a few strategies to follow to help you get the best results from your macaroni and cheese. frozen cheese

To get started, we’ll outline the basic process for freezing any type or style of mac and cheese, and then, a bit later in the article, we’ll talk about some specific adaptations for the many different types of mac and cheese you can freeze.

The first question you will have to decide is whether to freeze the macaroni and cheese before or after baking.

In some cases, it will depend on whether you are planning ahead or just having too much food. In either case, you can effectively freeze your macaroni and cheese by following a few basic steps.

How to Freeze Cooked Macaroni and Cheese

If you have leftover cooked macaroni and cheese of any variety, here are the best steps to take to freeze them so they reheat well.

1. Make sure the macaroni and cheese is at room temperature , especially if you are transferring it to freezer-safe plastic containers.
   1. Never put anything hot in plastic containers, even if it says it’s BPA-free. You still have to wait for it to cool down before putting it in the freezer, so let it cool down completely before separating it to take all the necessary sanitary precautions.
   2. Reusable or disposable aluminum cans also work well for freezing individual servings because you can transfer them directly to the oven to bake.
2. Separate leftovers into individual meal-size servings.
3. Place a layer of plastic wrap over the surface of the macaroni and cheese.
4. Close the lid tightly so that no air can get into the container, or wrap it with aluminum foil, sealing all the edges well.
5. NOTE : The macaroni and cheese will expand slightly when frozen, so make sure there is a gap of about an inch between the surface of the macaroni and the lid.
6. Chill the macaroni and cheese in the fridge before putting it in the freezer so that less condensation forms inside the container due to the temperature difference.
7. Label the container with the date you are going to put it in the freezer.
8. Freeze up to 18 months. Use it within 6 months for the best quality.

So now you know you can freeze your leftover mac and cheese, and it’s not even that hard.

Freeze individual servings of cooked macaroni and cheese

If you are reheating your macaroni and cheese for one person at a time, a great way to separate and freeze your macaroni is to use muffin tins.

Grease each muffin tin generously with butter and fill with the macaroni. Do not hesitate to fill them well. The more squashed you have the pasta, the less air there will be between each noodle and the better it will freeze overall.

When you are satisfied with the serving sizes, cover the pan with aluminum foil , carefully creating a seal around each serving of macaroni and cheese.

Place the entire tray in your freezer and leave it there for at least 3-6 hours to make sure the pasta is well frozen.

You can now remove it from the freezer and transfer the frozen portions to a more freezer-friendly container.

You can use any of the following, depending on which one is most comfortable for you and will fit in your freezer:

1. Wrap each serving individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place in your freezer where there is room.
2. In a freezer-safe Ziploc bag, arrange the macaroni and cheese servings in a single row, making sure you can squeeze out all the air and seal tightly before placing in the freezer
3. Place individual servings inside a freezer-safe Tupperware container in a single layer, preferably individually wrapped to protect from moisture and freezer burn.

How to Freeze Macaroni and Cheese Before Baking

Freezing macaroni and cheese before baking usually results in a higher quality serving. The pasta is less likely to be too soft and the sauce will be creamier.

There’s also less risk of developing the grainy texture that sometimes occurs in frozen dairy territory. 

While there is a slight advantage to cooking it and then freezing it, you do have to take strategic steps to make sure it freezes well. 

1. Prepare your macaroni and cheese according to the recipe, stopping the process just before the step that says “ put it in the oven ”
   1. If you’re making macaroni and cheese that’s going to be baked , transfer it to a freezer-safe baking dish so you can transfer it directly from the freezer to the oven when you’re ready to cook it.
   2. If you’re making macaroni and cheese that you’re going to reheat in the kitchen , transfer it to freezer-safe containers in individual serving sizes.

2. Make sure macaroni and cheese is at room temperature before covering

   1. For the baked macaroni and cheese , cover the baking dish with a layer of aluminum foil, carefully sealing all edges. Feel free to add a second layer of aluminum foil for added safety, as you don’t want your macaroni exposed to air or moisture while in the freezer.
   2. For stovetop macaroni and cheese , place a layer of plastic wrap over the macaroni before sealing with the airtight lid
3. Chill the macaroni and cheese in the fridge before putting it in the freezer so that less condensation forms inside the container due to the temperature difference.
4. Label the container or containers with the date you are going to put it in the freezer
5. Freeze up to 18 months. Use it within 6 months for the best quality.

Pro Tips: How to Make Macaroni and Cheese That Freezes Better

If you make your macaroni and cheese with the intention or full knowledge that you are freezing it, here are a few tips to keep in mind during the cooking process:

1. Swap regular milk for powdered milk.  Although it is reconstituted with the water you use in the recipe, it freezes and bakes better than regular dairy.
2. Alternatively, add some cream cheese or heavy cream to your sauce to increase the fat content, and avoid using skimmed milk: the higher the fat content, the less likely it is to split when frozen.
3. Cook the macaroni until al dente before adding the sauce. When baked, they will finish cooking without getting too soft.
4. If you are baking your macaroni, add a layer of grated cheese to the surface of the macaroni before cooking. This will prevent the macaroni from becoming tough and crunchy when baked, which will only get worse if it is frozen and reheated later.
5. Again, if you are going to bake the macaroni instead of making it in the oven , cook it at a low temperature , like 375ºF, for a little longer, 35 to 40 minutes. This will keep the dairy as soft as possible, making it more successful in the freezer.

Freeze Macaroni and Cheese - Types and Variations

The above methods are all you need for standard homemade macaroni and cheese, whether you bake it or cook it on the stovetop, and whether you bake it before or after freezing.

But there are other variants of macaroni and cheese that we must take into account for its freezing capacity.

Can Kraft Macaroni and Cheese be frozen?

Yes, you can freeze Kraft Macaroni and Cheese after you’ve cooked it.

Powdered cheese includes milk, so if you know you’re going to freeze it, you can make your sauce with just butter and water instead of adding more milk. This will prevent the dairy from spoiling in your freezer. 

If you really prefer your sauce made with milk, it will still freeze well, but you’ll need to give it a good shake when you’re ready to eat it. It will warm up best if you thaw it completely and then heat it up slowly on the stove.

Leftover Kraft macaroni and cheese, whether pre-frozen or not, tends to get crispy in the microwave if you’re not careful.

Can the cheese sauce for macaroni and cheese be frozen?

Yes, indeed, freezing cheese sauce for macaroni and cheese is a great way to make sure your pasta is cooked to perfection when you’re ready to prepare your meal.

The cheese sauce really takes the longest, so making it ahead of time, even without mixing it into the macaroni, is a great idea.

The secret is to use high-fat dairy and freeze it in individual servings.  Even if the dairy separates a bit, you can whisk it back together while the macaroni is cooking.

To freeze the cheese sauce, simply make it according to your recipe and wait for it to cool completely. Pour the amount you need for a single meal into a freezer-safe Ziploc bag.

Close the bag 95% and place it very carefully on the counter . Let the sauce sit in an even layer with no air left in the bag. Finish sealing it before the sauce spills.

Label it with the date and place it in the freezer to keep for up to 6 months.

Can vegan mac and cheese be frozen?

As a general rule, yes, you can freeze vegan mac and cheese by following the same instructions above. However, there are some caveats to keep in mind.

First of all, vegan mac and cheese can be made in many different ways. Some of the most popular recipes call for some combinations of the following ingredients:

• Store Bought Vegan Cheese
• nutritional yeast
• cashew nuts
• Cauliflower
• Pumpkin
• potatoes and carrots
• non-dairy milk

The biggest concern is going to be non-dairy milk, as almost all of them are notorious for splitting when frozen. A good way to compensate for this is to make and freeze the sauce separately from the macaroni, so you can recombine it before serving.

If you make it with cashews or other nuts , it will freeze better because the fat content will be higher.

Questions Related to Frozen Macaroni and Cheese

How to improve frozen mac and cheese?

If you want your homemade macaroni and cheese to be better for the freezing process, our best advice is to use powdered milk instead of regular dairy.

You can also add flavor enhancers, such as Dijon, paprika, or nutmeg, which will enhance the flavor of your cheese even after it has been frozen.

If you reheat it on the stove , you can add some fresh milk, butter, and even more grated cheese to freshen up the sauce, as well as mix in some chopped greens, capers, or shredded chicken for more variety.

If you want to jazz up a frozen dinner from the freezer section of your supermarket , you should first make sure to bake it instead of choosing the quick and easy microwave option.

Baking in the oven adds a lot of flavor. Add a little grated cheese on top of the macaroni before baking. Once cooked, you can mix in some broccoli, bacon bits, or tomatoes to add flavor, texture, and color.

How long can you keep macaroni and cheese in the freezer?

If stored correctly, following all the directions above, your macaroni and cheese will stay fresh in the freezer for 6 to 18 months.

The sooner you eat it, the better it will taste, but if you’ve been careful with the packaging, it should keep good quality for at least a year.

Can frozen macaroni and cheese be refrozen?

You can, but only with care and knowing that refrozen frozen mac and cheese will be softer, less soft, and probably less cheesy than the original.

The first rule of thumb is to refreeze it only if it was originally thawed in the fridge or put straight into the oven. If it spent some time on your counter thawing, don’t refreeze it . There is too much risk of bacteria growing that will spoil your food even if it doesn’t make you sick.

Second, if you’ve added milk to cool the sauce, it won’t freeze as well.  Dairy could separate. The paste will be more pasty. And the sauce will have less flavor.

If you agree with these warnings, you can refreeze your frozen macaroni and cheese. Our suggestion is that next time you freeze them in smaller portions so you don’t have to refreeze them.

Bottom Line: Can Macaroni and Cheese Be Freezed?

Can macaroni and cheese be frozen?  Yes, you definitely can.

We highly recommend that if you go to the trouble of making a batch of creamy homemade mac and cheese, you double or triple the batch and freeze as much as you can.

It lasts for over a year in the freezer and is a simple, quick and absolutely delicious meal that comes together in about half an hour when you’re ready to eat it.