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Plus, a step-by-step guide to reheating lasagna when you're ready to eat
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Freezing homemade lasagna is a great way to have ready-made meals on hand for nights when all you feel like doing is turning the oven on and heating up dinner. To freeze an unbaked lasagna (or baked leftovers), all you need to do is let it cool, double-wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and foil, then pop it in the freezer for up to 3 months. In this article, we’ll show you exactly how to do just that, whether you’re prepping a lasagna to bake later or storing mouthwatering leftovers for a busy day down the road. Plus, we’ll explain how to reheat it so it tastes like you just made it fresh!
Things You Should Know
- Let your lasagna cool to room temperature (whether it’s baked or unbaked) in a tempered glass or aluminum baking dish that can be frozen and put in the oven.
- Wrap the lasagna and the dish tightly with plastic wrap, then wrap a layer of aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- To reheat, thaw your lasagna in the fridge overnight, then let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Bake at 375 °F (191 °C) for 60-70 minutes and serve.
Steps
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Make a lasagna recipe using fresh ingredients instead of frozen ones. When ingredients are frozen and thawed multiple times, their flavor and texture suffer and the chance that the food could be contaminated by bacteria increases. A lasagna recipe made with fresh, never-frozen ingredients will still taste great after freezing whether it was frozen baked or unbaked. [1] X Trustworthy Source Food Safety and Inspection Service of the USDA Food safety information provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Go to source
- For example, don't plan on freezing lasagna made with sausage or ground beef that was previously frozen. Instead, use fresh meat or leave it out completely. [2] X Research source
- If your favorite lasagna recipe calls for a frozen ingredient, the final dish usually won't be too affected by substituting the fresh version instead. For example, instead of using frozen mushrooms, just use fresh. In most cases you will have needed to thaw them anyway.
- Consider preparing two lasagnas at once—one to bake and eat right away, and another to freeze and bake later for a quick and easy dinner. This will save you a lot of preparation time and effort.
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Assemble the lasagna in a baking dish that can be frozen. Look for a "freezer-proof" label on your dish or use a tempered glass or tempered ceramic pan (untempered dishes might crack in the freezer because of the rapid temperature change). Alternatively, prep the lasagna in a disposable aluminum baking pan . That way, you don’t have to worry about cracking and your other dishes will be free to use while the lasagna is in the freezer. [3] X Research source- If you don't have a dish you can freeze long-term, place a layer of parchment paper at the bottom of your prep dish (before you layer your lasagna) with a few inches hanging over each end. Then, pop the dish in the freezer uncovered until the lasagna is frozen solid. Use the parchment paper to lift the lasagna out of the dish, then wrap it in plastic and foil and return to the freezer.
- Follow your recipe’s directions, or stack the lasagna as follows for at least 3 layers: sauce, pasta, meat, cheese.
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3Let the lasagna cool to room temp if you added hot ingredients. If your recipe uses pre-cooked noodles , meat, seafood, or vegetables before baking, let the assembled lasagna sit until the entire dish is about room temperature. [4] X Research source The exact amount of time depends on how much “hot stuff” is in there—a piping hot meat sauce fresh from the stove may take 30 minutes or so.
- This way, no ice crystals will form inside the lasagna when it freezes, which preserves the texture.
- To speed up cooling, place the lasagna in the refrigerator to chill.
- Consider using no-boil noodles when you plan to freeze a lasagna (just makes sure to use plenty of sauce so they have liquid to cook in when you reheat it). [5] X Research source
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Cover the lasagna and pan with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. First, wrap the entire lasagna, including the dish, in a layer of plastic wrap. Leave as little space as possible between the top layer of the lasagna and the plastic to eliminate air pockets that could cause freezer burn. Then, add a layer of aluminum foil over the plastic for extra freshness and protection. [6] X Research source
- Alternatively, use two layers of foil instead of plastic and foil. No matter what, make sure the lasagna is double wrapped to prevent it from drying out.
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Label and freeze the lasagna for up to 3 months. Place a label on top of the foil with the recipe name and date, or write on the foil with a permanent marker (just be careful not to puncture the foil while you write). Even though it will be safe to eat for longer, aim to reheat your lasagna within 3 months for the best taste and texture. [7] X Research source
- The 3 month-rule applies to all fillings, including meat, seafood, or vegetables.
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Let your baked lasagna or warm leftovers cool to room temperature. Leave your lasagna on the countertop to cool (a piping hot lasagna straight from the oven may take up to an hour, while leftover slices may take 30 minutes or less). Putting hot leftovers in the freezer can lead to condensation that freezes into crystals and makes the texture of the lasagna worse when you reheat it. [8] X Research source
- To speed up the cooling time, try putting a layer of plastic wrap over the lasagna and setting it in the fridge to chill.
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2Wrap the lasagna in plastic and foil, or put individual slices in bags. Wrap a baked lasagna the same way you’d wrap an unbaked one—wrap it inside of a freezer-safe dish with plastic, leaving as little space as possible between the top layer and the plastic, then add a second layer of foil. [9] X Research source Depending on how much you have left, try placing the leftovers in a resealable freezer bag (squeezing out as much air as possible before zipping the bag closed).
- Alternatively, consider cutting the lasagna into individual portions and freezing them in bags or airtight containers. This way, you won't have to reheat the entire thing if you only need a meal for one or two people. Wait until the lasagna has chilled to cut it up (this helps the pieces hold together) and put each piece in its own bag or container. [10] X Research source
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3Label and freeze your baked lasagna or leftovers for up to 3 months. Include the recipe and date on a label and stick it to the foil, or write directly on the foil with a marker (being careful not to puncture the foil while writing). Your baked meat, veggie, or seafood lasagna will taste great up to 3 months, but may still be safe to eat up to 6 months or longer. [11] X Research source
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Thaw the frozen lasagna in the refrigerator overnight. While a lasagna can be reheated or cooked from frozen, it’ll need less time in the oven and cook more evenly if it’s fully thawed. The night before you plan to eat it, transfer it from the freezer to the fridge (still wrapped in foil). [12] X Research source
- Tip: If you forget to thaw your lasagna ahead of time, don’t worry. Remove the plastic wrap, cover the lasagna in foil, and double the baking time indicated on your recipe. Only do this if your lasagna was frozen in a disposable aluminum pan or a tempered dish (the rapid temperature change will crack untempered glass or ceramic pans).
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Let the lasagna sit at room temp while the oven preheats to 375 °F (191 °C). If your recipe indicates a specific oven temperature, go with that. If you’re unsure 350–375 °F (177–191 °C) is a reliable, standard cooking temperature for lasagna. [13] X Research source
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Remove the plastic wrap and cover the baking dish with foil. This will keep the top from getting too brown while the rest of the lasagna cooks. If you're cooking an individual portion of lasagna, take the piece you want to bake out of its storage bag and place it on a suitable baking dish, then cover with foil. [14] X Research source
- Wrap the foil tightly to keep steam inside the dish as the lasagna heats up. This will keep it from drying out and helps ensure the noodles cook.
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Bake the lasagna for 60-70 minutes, then 10 minutes without foil. After about an hour in the oven, use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of the lasagna. It’s fully heated through when the temperature is 165 °F (74 °C) and the sauce is bubbling around the edges. [15] X Research source
- Remove the foil from the dish and bake for an additional 10 minutes to crisp and brown the cheese on top. [16] X Research source
- Depending on your oven, the dish you’re using, and the starting temperature of your lasagna, the baking time may be slightly shorter or longer.
- If you're just reheating one piece of lasagna, try the microwave instead of in the oven. Place it on a microwave-safe dish and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, or until it's hot and bubbly. Do not use aluminum foil in the microwave. [17] X Research source
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Serve your delicious, cheesy lasagna! Let your lasagna sit and cool for about 10 minutes before serving (this makes it easier to cut, and it won’t burn your mouth once you dig in). To freshen it up, try sprinkling some extra cheese on top or adding a drizzle of pesto or olive oil. In case it dried out a bit, warm up some extra sauce and serve it on the side. A sprinkle of some fresh parsley adds a nice touch, too! [18] X Research source
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Community Q&A
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QuestionCan you freeze a cooked lasagna?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerIn most cases, it is okay to freeze a cooked lasagna. Unless a recipe states otherwise, it’s fine to freeze lasagna you’ve just made. If you want to freeze leftover lasagna after a meal, let it cool down first but be sure to freeze it quickly after it has cooled down, to prevent bacterial growth.
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QuestionDo you cook lasagna before you freeze it?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerIt’s really up to you, as you can freeze the lasagna either before or after it is baked. However, if you freeze it after baking, it will have to baked again when it is reheated, which may make it a little less moist and not as soft than reheating one yet to be baked. Also, heed whatever the recipe you’re using suggests, as it may use ingredients that require you to either bake or not bake before freezing.
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QuestionHow do you freeze slices of lasagna?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerTo freeze individual slices of cold cooked or unbaked lasagna, cut the lasagna into equal pieces. First, cut down the middle of the lasagna, to make two equal halves. Then, cut crosswise, making 4 to 8 equal pieces (the total will depend on how large the lasagna is and how wide you prefer the pieces to be). Wrap each slice in microwave-safe plastic wrap if you intend on using the microwave. Otherwise, wrap each piece in kitchen foil or place into an airtight container suitable for freezing. If you’ve wrapped the pieces in plastic, arrange inside a large resealable freezer bag to keep them in one place for storage.
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Tips
- Always label and date frozen food so that you know how long it has been frozen.Thanks
- Lasagna is easier to cut into individual size portions when it’s cold.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Freezer-proof dish (like a tempered glass or tempered ceramic pan )
- Disposable aluminum baking pans (optional)
- Plastic freezer bags for individual portions (optional)
- Plastic food wrap
- Aluminum foil wrap
- Knife
- Labels (optional)
- Parchment paper (optional)
- Food thermometer
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about cooking tips, check out our in-depth interview with Ollie George Cigliano .
References
- ↑ https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/freezing-and-food-safety
- ↑ https://food.unl.edu/it-safe-refreeze-raw-meat-and-poultry-has-thawed
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/the-best-types-of-packaging-for-freezing-food-love-your-freezer-215974
- ↑ https://www.theinstantpottable.com/how-to-freeze-lasagna/
- ↑ https://www.tastingtable.com/1058658/the-type-of-noodles-you-should-use-if-you-plan-on-freezing-your-lasagna/
- ↑ https://www.theinstantpottable.com/how-to-freeze-lasagna/
- ↑ https://cookgem.com/how-long-does-lasagna-last-does-it-go-bad/
- ↑ https://www.theinstantpottable.com/how-to-freeze-lasagna/
- ↑ https://www.theinstantpottable.com/how-to-freeze-lasagna/
- ↑ https://www.macheesmo.com/how-to-freeze-lasagna/
- ↑ https://cookgem.com/how-long-does-lasagna-last-does-it-go-bad/
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-reheat-lasagna-23402018
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-reheat-lasagna-23402018
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-reheat-lasagna-23402018
- ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/food/pasta/how-to-reheat-lasagna
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-reheat-lasagna-23402018
- ↑ https://myfoodstory.com/how-to-freeze-lasagna-and-reheat-it/
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-reheat-lasagna-23402018
About This Article
Article Summary
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If you want to freeze lasagna, you can either assemble the lasagna in a freezer-safe container or you can place leftovers into an airtight plastic container or freezer bags. If you already baked the lasagna, allow it to cool to room temperature, but you can freeze lasagna before you cook it as well. Wrap the lasagna in plastic wrap or seal the bag or container well, then place the lasagna in the freezer, where it will keep for up to 3 months. For tips on thawing and reheating your lasagna, read on!
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"I'm preparing a vegan/vegetarian lasagna for 50 people for the 2017 Passover Feast and was wondering about the texture of boiled noodles frozen vs. boiled noodles partially cooked and then frozen. I see from this article that I can choose whatever method is most convenient for me and I'm glad to know this. Thank you so much for this information!"
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