Cooked lasagna is cheesy and delicious. The hot and nourishing Italian dish can be customized to suit the preferences of various individuals. Lasagna is hearty, so it can fill you up in a short time. That’s why, often, people end up with the dish’s leftovers. In such cases, it is important to store it properly. The storage method determines the longevity of the lasagna. Generally, when refrigerated, it can last for up to a week. Freezing lasagna further increases its life. Similarly, you must also ensure that the dish is reheated properly when consumed later. Let’s find out all about storing lasagna leftovers, including how long lasagna is good for in the fridge, so you can enjoy the meal with its full flavors intact later.
How Long Does Lasagna Last?
How long your lasagna lasts depends on a few different factors. It includes the expiration date listed on its package, how you prepared it, and the storage method. Lasagna with meat can last for about a week (5 to 7 days) in the refrigerator and 6 to 8 months in the freezer. The same is true for vegetarian lasagna and frozen lasagna. All of them retain their flavor and freshness for about a week when refrigerated. When frozen, they can last for around 6 to 8 months. Cooked lasagna kept frozen at 0 degrees Fahrenheit will last indefinitely. If you have cooked lasagna, it’s important to store it in an airtight container. This will keep it out of moisture, allowing it to last for the time period mentioned above.
How to Freeze Lasagna to Retain Its Flavor?
Lasagna is the most loved pasta dish on the planet. The combination of velvety ricotta cheese and savory meat sauce creates a flavor that wins the heart of the eater every single time. As indulgent and satisfying as it may be, it takes some time to prepare the dish. When all you want is to treat your tastebuds to their heavenly taste, assembling the ingredients and baking can seem too time-consuming. In such cases, having frozen lasagna in your freezer makes a world of difference. Just take it out, reheat it, and enjoy. However, you certainly don’t want to compromise with the flavor. To make lasagna taste just as delicious as when it was freshly cooked, it’s important to freeze it properly.
Follow these steps to freeze freshly prepared lasagna so it tastes just as good.
- Take a disposable pan and transfer your leftover or freshly made lasagna to it.
PRO TIP: For optimum results, we recommend freezing lasagna before baking it. This will maintain the pasta’s cheesy texture.
- After preparing, leave the lasagna at room temperature to cool it. Don’t pop it straight into the freezer, as it can interfere with its taste.
- Once it has been cooled, wrap it in plastic wrap. This will prevent air from entering. Now, cover the lasagna’s top part with a foil.
- In the case of baked lasagna, cut it into different servings. Then perform the procedure of wrapping it up in plastic and securing the top part with foil. However, ensure to keep all the individual slices in different containers.
Reheating Leftover Lasagna: 3 Ways to Enjoy the Dish With Same Flavor
So you stored your lasagna in the freezer a couple of days ago and are now craving it? Luckily, the pasta’s already made, and there is little that you need to do to enjoy it again. Just take it out and reheat it. It may not seem big, but like storing, reheating the leftovers properly is crucial to have a lasagna-eating experience that’s close to the original. There are three good reheating options for lasagna. We’ll explain all of them below.
1. The Microwave (Best for Reheating 1-2 Servings)
- Take a single serving of your lasagna and put it in the microwave.
- Pour 3-4 drops of water into the piece. This will prevent it from drying.
- Take a toothpick and dig into the lasagna’s center. It should protrude a couple of inches.
- Drape the top of the serving with a paper towel that is safe for microwave use. Centre it around the tooth.
- Now, reheat the pasta on full power. Don’t do it continuously. Instead, heat it for about 90 seconds, turn it off, and then heat it up again for the same period.
2. Toaster Oven (Best for Reheating Large Portions)
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- Put lasagna in an oven-safe dish.
- Sprinkle a few drops of water. Alternatively, you can use the sauce for the same purpose.
- Use the foil you used to freeze lasagna earlier and wrap it around the dish.
- Bake the pasta till it’s 165 degrees in the center. This temperature is achieved after about 45 minutes of baking for larger portions.
- If you want the top of the lasagna to be brown and crispy. Remove the foil and bake for 10 more minutes.
3. Stove (Best for Individual Servings)
- Heat some olive oil in an iron skillet on medium to high heat.
- Cut lasagna into thick slices and put a few drops of water on the top.
- Add lasagna to the pan when it becomes hot.
- As you cook, adjust the heat according to the requirements. The aim is to heat the lasagna evenly on both sides.
- Serve the dish with sauce.
4. Air Fryer (for Individual and Larger Portions)
For individual portions
- Take a baking dish that can accommodate your air fryer.
- Preheat the fryer to 375 degrees F for three to five minutes.
- Slice lasagna and put one portion in the dish.
- Cook for about five to eight minutes.
- Taker out the dish and serve.
For larger portions
- Take a heat-safe casserole that your air fryer can accommodate.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F for five minutes.
- Put the lasagna into the casserole and cover with foil.
- Air fry for 10 minutes without taking out the foil.
- Remove the foil and cook for 5 more minutes. The cheese should melt, and the top should turn crispy.
Summing Up
Lasagna makes up for a comforting lunch or dinner. Often, the satiating dish isn’t fully consumed in one sitting. In such cases, knowing the right way to store it becomes important. The article has given you comprehensive information about storing and reheating lasagna for eating later. Hopefully, it will prove useful, helping you enjoy your delicious pasta every single time.
