You can put a cold casserole dish from the fridge to the oven. This is perfect for reheating a precooked casserole or preparing one in advance. Always pre-heat the oven before putting the casserole dish in and make sure it has an oven proof lid. Make sure to check that the casserole dish does not have any cracks or chips. This could cause it to break during a rapid change in temperature.
This article will discuss all you need to know about putting a cold casserole dish in the oven. Find out some easy tips to heat your food thoroughly and protect your casserole dish.
Tips for safely putting a cold casserole dish in the oven
Casserole dishes are heavy, strong and are perfect for reheating casseroles in the oven. These tips will help you out if you have a pre-cooked casserole in your fridge and want to heat it up in the oven.
1. Always use a casserole dish in good condition
When reheating food in a casserole dish and moving it from the fridge to an oven make sure it is in good condition. Check that the dish does not have any cracks or chips. This can affect its strength and it could crack and break if it heats up too fast.
Casserole dishes are hard waring and can last a lifetime. Often, we get casserole dishes passed down from parents or even bought from a yard sale. Make sure that you always check the base to make sure it is oven safe and make sure it is in good condition.
2. Pre-heat the oven before putting the casserole dish inside
It is very important to always preheat the oven before putting a cold casserole dish inside. Ovens will usually heat up rapidly and blasting hot air far above the temperature that it will finally reach. Most modern ovens will use the fan function to heat the oven up as rapidly as possible.
This blast of hot air can damage the casserole dish. Check to make sure the oven has reached the set temperature before you move the dish from the fridge to the oven.
3. Use an oven proof lid
When moving a cold casserole dish from the fridge to the oven always make sure you have an oven proof lid. Most casserole dishes will have ceramic lids to match the base. Some new casserole dishes will come with a silicone or plastic lid to use for storing food.
Never use the plastic or silicone lid that comes for storage in the oven. These lids are not oven proof and can melt or bend in the hot oven. If your casserole dish does not come with a lid and you want to cover it in the oven use some aluminum foil. I always like to layer some baking paper on the top first, and then cover the top with 1 or 2 layers of foil.
4. Add some extra liquid
When reheating a casserole from the fridge it is important to add some extra liquid. Add some extra stock or water to help to prevent the food from drying out. Add some liquid, mix it through and this will help the food to reheat without drying the ingredients.
This liquid can be cold from the fridge or at room temperature.
5. Add some fresh vegetables
To increase the freshness of your casserole add some fresh vegetables to the mix. Chop up some fresh carrot and mix it through. You can also add frozen vegetables to the mix but it is best to heat them up first.
Microwave the frozen vegetables and mix them through the casserole. You can then move the whole casserole to the oven to heat through completely. If you put fully frozen vegetables into the casserole it can take a lot longer to heat up and the other meat and vegetables may dry out before it is fully heated through.
Moving a cold casserole dish from the fridge to the oven
It is safe to move a cold casserole dish from the fridge to the oven. It is important to preheat the oven and mix through some extra stock or water into the mix. This will allow the mix to heat through without drying out. Make sure you check the dish to make sure it is in good condition and use an oven proof lid.
Putting cold Pyrex casserole dishes in the oven
Pyrex is the perfect casserole dish to move from the fridge to the oven. Pyrex is oven safe and is hardened to make sure it can withstand the temperature changes from the fridge to the oven. Pyrex casserole dishes can come with hardened glass lids or make your own with some aluminum foil.
Pyrex can be used to cook casseroles from fresh or for reheating the casserole. Make sure you allow the casserole to cool down and stop steaming before you put it in the fridge.
Can you put a cold casserole dish in the oven? | Summary
Cold casserole dishes can go straight in the oven if they are in good condition, oven safe and if the oven is preheated. Always add some extra liquid to the mix to make sure the casserole doesn’t dry out. You can also put the casserole ingredients in the dish ready to go and store it in the fridge until you are ready to cook.
Casserole dishes are hard-waring, and the ceramic will absorb heat slowly. This means there is less risk of thermal shock as the contents and the dish will heat slowly. If you want to cook in a glass casserole dish, make sure you choose a hardened glass like Pyrex so that it can withstand the temperature changes from fridge to oven.
I am an accredited practicing dietitian, experienced gardener and a dedicated cook. I love writing and sharing my experience so you can learn from my successes and mistakes.