Meatloaf?

Question about freezing meatloaf? Can I put it together freeze it or do I have to cook it & then freeze it?

Meatloaf?

I've always cooked it first. I'm not sure how it would come out otherwise but it always comes out great cooked first, then defrosting in the fridge overnight and heated in the microwave.

Re: Meatloaf?

I have frozen uncooked meatballs, but not a whole meatloaf. I think you can, but make sure the shape is uniform and you allow for plenty of extra cooking time if cooking from frozen, or plenty of time to defrost in fridge. I would def. not defrost on a countertop.
Also- depending on the recipe, it may release some water while defrosting. Not sure how that will affect the quality.

Meatloaf?

I'd cook first. Depending what is in the meatloaf, it might get mushy when defrosted.

Re: Meatloaf?

I always cook it first, then just defrost and reheat and it's delicious. I wouldn't freeze it raw.

Meatloaf?

I NEVER COOK IT FIRST! I've been making meatloaf for over 7 years. I always make 2 meatloafs. I put 1 in the oven right away and the other one, I freeze (raw). When I want to make the frozen one, I defrost it in the fridge for a whole day and then cook it in the oven. To be safe, I cook the frozen one for an extra 10 minutes even though after a day in the fridge, it's fully defrosted.

To those that don't believe you can freeze it raw, may I ask why? If you make a bunch of hamburgers from scratch, you freeze them raw don't you?

Message edited 12/17/2013 12:57:10 PM.

Meatloaf?

I make one and freeze one always. I also cook my onions and peppers first so that doesn't matter. I do wait to add the topping until baking as well.