How to Reheat Lasagna and Make It Taste Even Better

Lasagna is an Italian-inspired classic family dish. You either cook it in a whole baking dish or don’t cook it. There is no in-between, and the chances of ending up with leftovers are higher.

You will eventually reheat your leftover lasagna to satisfy your cravings. Still, you certainly don’t want your Lasagna to become dry, mushy, and rubbery because of reheating. So, if you’re looking for the perfect way to reheat Lasagna that will make it taste even better, here is everything you need to know about reheating it.

4 Best Ways to Reheat Leftover Lasagna

If you’re in a hurry to learn the reheating processes, here you go!

1. How to Heat up Lasagna in Oven or Toaster Oven (The Best Method)

If you’re looking for a way to reheat a whole tray of Lasagna, you will get the best result by using the oven. However, you can use the toaster oven to reheat single servings too.

You need to have the patience to heat the Lasagna in the oven, as it will be time-consuming. Still, it will be worth it because it will give that freshly baked cheesy vibe and provide the perfect taste and appearance.

(a) How to Reheat Refrigerated Lasagna in the Oven

If you want to reheat refrigerated Lasagna, you will need some water, an oven-safe container, aluminum foil, and a food thermometer.

And if you want to use a toaster oven, you can add a toothpick to your list to stabilize the foil.

Follow the steps given below.

Step 1: To prepare your oven, preheat it to 375° F. But if you’re using a toaster oven, preheat it to 325° F.

Step 2: Use an oven-safe container to put the Lasagna in the oven.

Step 3: Drizzle about two tablespoons of water all around your Lasagna. You will need to add more water if the portion of your Lasagna is large.

Step 4: Use aluminum foil to cover the container.

Step 5: Set the timer. If you’re reheating a single serving, it will take you about 20 minutes. It’s the same for the toaster oven also. But you will need 30-45 minutes if you’re warming up the whole Lasagna or multiple portions in the oven.

Step 6: Let it warm up.

Step 7: Your Lasagna should be melted when the timer is close to the finishing line. Use your food thermometer to check if the internal temperature of your dish has reached around 160-165° or not. You’re ready to serve it if it has reached the required temperature.

(b) How to Heat up Frozen Lasagna in the Oven/ Toaster Oven

Way 1: If you have time, let it thaw overnight in the fridge first. Then, follow the steps for reheating the refrigerated Lasagna mentioned above.

Way 2: If you’re in a hurry, set the frozen Lasagna in the oven and follow the same steps to reheat it as the refrigerated one, except for one thing. You can set the timer to around 45–60 minutes and wait to see the result. You will have to increase the time a little bit for this.

If you place 1 or 2 servings of frozen Lasagna in a toaster oven, it will take 30 minutes.

2. How to Rewarm Lasagna Using Microwave (The Quickest Method)  

Using the microwave is the quickest way to reheat your single servings of Lasagna. So, when you’re in a hurry but hungry, and you have a couple of slices of Lasagna, you can opt for the microwave.

However, the only problem with using a microwave is that it’s less likely to heat evenly. You may find one side is perfectly warmed, but the other side is still cold, or you may also find that your slice of Lasagna is too hot. But you need to be careful not to reheat it for a long time if you don’t want an explosion in the microwave.

So, to warm up your Lasagna just right, follow these steps.

(a) Steps to Reheat Refrigerated Lasagna

To reheat Lasagna using the microwave, remember to put only 1 or 2 servings at a time. Otherwise, the heat will not be distributed evenly. To rewarm Lasagna in the microwave, you will need some water, a microwave-safe container, a lid/ paper towel/plastic wrap, and a food thermometer.

The steps you need to follow are:

Step 1: Put a slice of your Lasagna in the center of a microwave-safe container. If you want to reheat two pieces together, make sure they are not close to each other or touching each other.

Step 2: Sprinkle some water over all the edges of the Lasagna.

Step 3: To prevent scattering of cheese and sauce, cover the entire container with either a microwave-safe paper towel, plastic wrap, or a lid. You can use a toothpick in the center of your dish to stabilize it.

Step 4: Set the microwave to medium heat and heat the Lasagna for around 1 and a half minutes. Please don’t keep it in the microwave for more than 90 seconds; otherwise, it may explode.

Step 5: Your Lasagna is thoroughly heated when it begins to bubble, and the cheese becomes glossy. Use a food thermometer to check the inner temperature and see if it’s around 160–165° F or not.

Step 6: If the center is still cold or hasn’t reached the required temperature, slice the Lasagna in half, place it in the microwave, and let it heat for 30 seconds more. By then, it will be perfectly reheated for you to enjoy.

(b) Ways to Reheat Frozen Lasagna in the Microwave

Way 1: You can let the Lasagna defrost overnight in the refrigerator if you have time. Then follow the steps mentioned above.

Way 2: You can directly thaw it in the microwave. If your microwave has a defrosting function, place your Lasagna in the oven and turn on the mode. Let it thaw for a few minutes, and the rest of the steps are the same as before.

But if defrosting mode is absent in your microwave, follow the above instructions but microwave it for an extra 60 to 90 seconds. Keep repeating this until the Lasagna reaches a temperature of 160–165° F.

3. How to Reheat Lasagna Using a Skillet (The Easiest Method) 

Using a skillet, you can reheat your Lasagna faster than in an oven, but it will take longer than a microwave. Though it is easy to reheat Lasagna using a skillet, consider using it only when you want to reheat one or two slices at a time.

To reheat Lasagna in a skillet, you’ll need about ¼ -½ cup of water and a cast-iron skillet with a lid.

The steps you need to follow are:

Step 1. Cut your leftover lasagna into the 1-inch-thick slice.

Step 2. Place the lasagna slice in the skillet. If you’re reheating one slice, add ¼ cup of water. But double the amount of water if you’re reheating a double serving.

Step 3. Set your skillet to medium-high heat and start reheating. Cover the lid and wait until the water begins to shimmer. It’s when the water starts to have tiny bubbles. It usually takes 20 minutes, but if the Lasagna is frozen, it will take longer.

Step 4. To distribute the heat evenly, shake the skillet sometimes.

Step 5. If you want a crispy lasagna, remove the lid in the last 5 minutes.

Step 6. When the texture of your Lasagna becomes soft and melty, it’s ready to eat.

4. Using an Air Fryer Is A Simple and Quick Way to Rewarmt Lasagna 

Reheating Lasagna in an air fryer is one of the easiest and fastest ways. It just takes several minutes to reheat, and the risk of overcooking is low here.

(a) Steps to Reheat Refrigerated Lasagna

Following this method, you can heat 1 or 2 servings simultaneously. And remember to use aluminum foil.

The steps are as follows:

Step 1. Use a loaf pan and place your Lasagna in it. But you can also use an air fryer-safe container if you don’t have a loaf pan. Don’t use a shallow container unless you want sauce and cheese to splatter over the air fryer.

Step 2. Wrap aluminum foil around the loaf pan/container.

Step 3. If your air fryer has a temperature control mode, set it to 375° F and set a timer. It will take about 10-15 minutes, depending on the size of the Lasagna.

Step 4. After 10-15 minutes, your Lasagna will be melted. If you feel that your Lasagna has been thoroughly heated, serve it. If not, fry it for another 5 minutes and serve it.

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(b) Air Frying of Frozen Lasagna

You can either let your frozen lasagna thaw overnight in the fridge to air fry it or directly air fry it by following the above instructions. 

Frozen Lasagna will take a longer time to heat. So, after 20-25 minutes, check to see if it has been heated perfectly.

How Do You Reheat Lasagna Without Drying it Out?

Suppose you’re a lasagna lover and have a big tray of it in the fridge while preheating. In that case, you will want to keep the Lasagna from drying out. But the thing is, it is likely to dry out no matter which kitchen appliance you use to reheat it. Otherwise, all the taste will be ruined.

Also, the longer Lasagna is refrigerated, the more the pasta sheets are likely to absorb the sauce. And when you reheat that dry Lasagna, it will be more damaged.

So, follow the reheating guidelines to stop your Lasagna from drying out and enjoy it without any worry.

1. Sprinkle some water while reheating. Be careful not to pour too much water unless you want to eat watery Lasagna.
2. To hold the liquid inside the dish properly while reheating, place a lid on the dish using foil, a paper towel, or plastic wrap.
3. Make sure to use a lid that will suit your appliance. Such as using a paper towel or plastic wrap if you’re using a microwave to reheat Lasagna.

Can You Reheat Lasagna Twice?

Yes, you can reheat Lasagna twice or even more. Still, you shouldn’t because bacteria growth is common in leftover reheated Lasagna, which can make you sick. Also, the quality and taste will decline if you reheat leftover Lasagna repeatedly. So, it’s better to reheat it only once.

You should slice your leftover lasagna first, then store it in the fridge or freezer rather than keep the whole tray. By doing this, you can easily reheat only what you can eat at a time. It’s a safer way to make sure your Lasagna has the perfect taste, and you’re safe from food-borne illness.

How Long to Reheat Lasagna in the Oven?

If you are reheating refrigerated lasagna in the oven, reheat a single serving for about 20 minutes. It’s the same for the toaster oven also. But you will need 30-45 minutes if you’re warming up the whole lasagna or multiple portions in the oven.

And if you are heating up frozen lasagna directly in the oven without thawing it first, you can set the timer to around 45–60 minutes and wait to see the result.

How to Store Lasagna Properly?

Storing Lasagna is quick and easy. If you want to store it longer, you can place it in the freezer. Otherwise, you can store it in the fridge. I always stick to the following steps to get the best result.

Step 1: Allow the Lasagna to cool completely. Then, store the leftover Lasagna after 2 hours of serving it.

Step 2: Store the Lasagna in an airtight container in the fridge or a freezer-safe container in the freezer.

Step 3: Set the fridge or freezer temperature to 40° F or 0° F.

That’s all you need to do to store your leftover lasagna properly so that you can enjoy it at any time.

How Long Does Leftover Lasagna Last?

The shelf-life of leftover Lasagna can vary depending on many factors. But if you keep your Lasagna at room temperature for more than two hours, you shouldn’t eat it. Instead, toss it out. Because at room temperature, Lasagna is prone to bacteria as it has dairy products.

But if you store Lasagna properly in the fridge, it will last up to 5 days. But it can be stored for up to 3 months in the freezer.

How to Tell if Lasagna Has Gone Bad?

If you don’t want to get sick from eating your favorite Lasagna, you need to know the signs of spoiled Lasagna. If your pasta looks dry or discolored, discard it. Don’t reheat your Lasagna if you see the following symptoms:

1. If you get a sour or foul smell from your Lasagna, it has spoiled. However, if it smells bad, it will taste bad too. So, remember always to smell first to avoid food poisoning.
2. If you see molds in your frozen Lasagna, avoid eating it because moldy foods are bad for your health.

Conclusion

Reheating Lasagna is very easy and simple. You can follow any of the above methods to rewarm your delicious Lasagna anytime. But remember to follow the instructions properly and be cautious while reheating it.

And always remember to check the Lasagna before reheating it because you don’t want to get sick. So, if it looks and smells good, reheat it and serve it.