If you’re wondering how to reheat lasagna, I have you covered!
Whether you prefer the microwave, the stovetop, the oven, or the air fryer, I have everything you need to know to reheat lasagna in the best ways possible.
If you love lasagna just as much as I do, you probably also have a big tray of it in the fridge, readily available anytime a craving strikes.
It’s also a great lunch or dinner alternative for when you’re just too lazy to cook!
Now, I personally have no qualms about eating cold lasagna. In my world, there’s no such thing as a bad-tasting lasagna.
Freshly baked, cold, reheated – it doesn’t matter, I love them, I love them all.
But I’m sure you would prefer lasagna that’s nice and warm, with all that melty cheese, the rich bechamel sauce oozing out of the noodles every time you take a slice.
When it comes to reheating lasagna, you have more options than one. Learn all about them and more, only here!
How to Keep Lasagna From Drying Out While Reheating
First things first: whichever kitchen appliance you choose to reheat lasagna, there’s always a chance of it drying out.
You see, the longer lasagna sits in the fridge, the more the pasta sheets soak up the sauce.
This, in turn, will make your lasagna dry, and reheating it will do even more damage.
As long as you stick to these reheating guidelines, there’s nothing to worry about.
1. Add some liquid while reheating. Not too much, though, or you’ll end up with watery pasta. Just a light sprinkling of water will do.
2. Cover the dish. Whether it’s foil, plastic wrap, or paper towel, put a lid on it to trap the liquid inside the dish while it reheats.
Of course, be sure to use a lid suitable for your appliance. For instance, don’t use foil when you’re microwaving.
Stick to microwaveable plastic wrap or paper towels instead.
1. How to Reheat Lasagna in the Oven
The oven method is most ideal if you’re reheating a whole tray of lasagna.
It’s also the best option if you want that “freshly baked” lasagna vibe.
It works well regardless of whether you’re reheating refrigerated or frozen lasagna. Just keep in mind that frozen lasagna will take longer to reheat.
Here’s how:
1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also preheat it to 350, but you’ll have to cook the lasagna longer.
2. If not served in one, transfer the lasagna to an oven-safe dish. Pour 2 tablespoons of water over it. Cover the dish with aluminum foil.
3. Place the dish in the oven and reheat until warmed through. This will take somewhere around 15 to 25 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit or 25 to 35 minutes at 350 for refrigerated lasagna. Add 10 minutes to the time for frozen lasagna.
4. Serve and enjoy.
2. How to Reheat Lasagna in the Microwave
If you’re only reheating a few slices, the microwave is your best friend.
Because it does the job in almost no time, it’s perfect if you’re too hungry to wait.
The only disadvantage is, the microwave is prone to uneven heating.
Do it wrong, and you’ll get lasagna that’s so hot, it’ll burn your tongue.
At times, you can even get a slice that’s perfectly warm on some sides and cold on others.
Follow these steps and your lasagna will be just right – not too hot, not too cold.
1. Place a slice of lasagna on a microwave-safe dish. Sprinkle a bit of water or extra marinara on top. Cover the dish with a lid or microwavable plastic wrap.
2. Microwave at medium heat for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, depending on how warm you want your lasagna to be. If it hasn’t warmed to your liking, reheat at 15-second intervals until it reaches your desired temperature.
Note: if reheating frozen lasagna, add an extra minute to the total time.
3. How to Reheat Lasagna in the Air Fryer
Yes, it’s possible. Whether you need to heat frozen pizza rolls, a can of biscuits, or lasagna, there’s nothing the air fryer can’t do.
What’s more, is that it’s as effective as an oven, but works as fast as a microwave. With this nifty appliance, you get the best of both worlds.
Its only limitation is that it’s not as big, so you can’t reheat a whole tray at a time.
But considering that it works quickly, you can reheat in batches and still be done in no time.
Here’s how:
1. If your air fryer requires it, preheat it to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Use the loaf pan that comes with the air fryer. It’ll prevent the cheese and sauces from dipping onto the machine, which makes clean-up a breeze.
3. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and place the lasagna on top.
4. Air fry the lasagna for 10 minutes or until warmed through. Use a meat thermometer to check. The layers should be at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. If it’s not warm enough, air fry some more at 5-minute intervals.
4. How to Reheat Lasagna on the Stovetop
If any of these appliances aren’t available, you can always rely on the stovetop. It yields the same results as the oven, but won’t take as long.
Here’s how:
1. Place a slice or two in a cast-iron skillet. Drizzle water over the lasagna, about 1/4 cup per slice. Don’t worry, the water will dry up during cooking.
2. Reheat the lasagna over medium-high heat until the water starts to simmer, not boil. You’ll know it’s simmering when small bubbles start to form.
3. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the skillet with its lid. Continue to cook for 20 minutes, giving the pan an occasional shake.
During this period, the lasagna will absorb the water, bringing the dry noodles back to life.
Tip: for a crispy, crusty bottom, remove the lid during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
How to Reheat Frozen Lasagna
You can either let the frozen lasagna thaw in the fridge overnight or reheat it directly using any of the methods above.
The only difference is you’ll have to cook it a little bit longer:
- Oven: add 10 minutes
- Microwave: add 1 minute
- Air Fryer: add 5 minutes
- Stovetop: simmer for an additional 10 minutes
How Long Does Lasagna Last in the Refrigerator?
Since lasagna contains cream, don’t expect it to last a long time. But as long as you store it safely, it will keep well for up to 3 to 4 days.
Although, I’m sure it’ll disappear much sooner than that.
Be sure you seal the container with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Or, place it in a sealable container.
The idea is to prevent moisture from getting through.
Tip: if the cheese or sauce starts to smell funky, it’s time to go.
How Long Does Lasagna Last in the Freezer?
If you want a much longer shelf-life, the freezer is your best friend. Frozen lasagna will keep well for up to 3 months.
You can freeze the whole tray, but it’s more ideal to cut it up and freeze individual slices. That way, you can easily reheat small portions.
Store lasagna in an airtight container – you don’t want moisture, outside odors, or other contaminants getting in.
Can I Reheat Lasagna More than Once?
Sadly, no. Leftover reheated lasagna is prone to bacteria growth, which is a common suspect for food-borne illnesses.
It’s better to be safe than sorry, so be sure to reheat only what you can eat.
This is another reason why it’s better to freeze lasagna slices than the whole tray.
How to Reheat Lasagna (4 Easy Ways)
10
minutes35
minutesIngredients
Leftover lasagna
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Transfer leftover lasagna to an oven-safe baking dish, if not yet in one. Pour 2 tablespoons of water over the lasagna and cover the dish with foil.
- Reheat in the oven from 25-35 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 15-25 at 400. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Add 10 minutes of reheating time for frozen lasagna. No need to thaw beforehand.
