Our recommendations are made independently through Research & Testing. We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links.
How To Reheat Lasagna
Got some leftover lasagna at the back of the fridge but don’t know what to do with it? Here is how to reheat lasagna to get a quick meal out of it.
Since it’s one of the most popular dishes out there, it’s not uncommon to have some leftover lasagna in the fridge after a particularly sumptuous dinner. With this in mind, knowing how to reheat lasagna will go a long way towards reducing food waste. Plus, you also get to enjoy some of that delicious lasagna a second time!
Here are all of the steps to take in order to bring your leftover lasagna back to life.
Best Way To Reheat Lasagna
In total, there are three different methods of reheating lasagna: with an oven, stovetop skillet, or an air fryer.
Reheating in the oven is highly recommended. An oven can bring back the original flavor and texture of the lasagna unlike anything else. Thus, although it takes a relatively long time to cook, it is definitely worth your while.
If you don’t have the time to reheat in the oven, using a cast iron skillet is a good alternative. It’s quicker than the oven yet the quality (taste and texture) still winds up being very similar to that of oven-baked lasagna. However, to reheat on the skillet effectively, you need to be very hands-on with the process and it will require a certain amount of proficiency in the kitchen.
Though not a lot of kitchens are equipped with air fryers, if you have one, make use of it to reheat lasagna. It is quick and because air fryers are mostly automated these days, effortless as well.
How to Reheat Lasagna in the Oven
The biggest reason why the oven is the preferred reheating method for lasagna is because it can emulate the dish’s original cooking environment. This is why oven-reheated lasagna tastes so similar to fresh lasagna.
Also, for this exact reason, you will see the oven pops up a lot in reheating guides of other dishes. You can leverage its uniform heat to reheat fries. The oven was extensively featured in our guide on how to reheat prime rib, as well. All because of its unique even-heating property.
Additionally, if you have a whole block of lasagna rather than individual pieces, the oven will be your best bet by far. Its stable, even heat will ensure that the lasagna is warmed all the way through.
1. Cook Time & Ideal Temperature
Time is, unfortunately, the downside of this reheating method. Re-baking lasagna in the oven can take up to 45 minutes, so make sure to plan ahead.
The cooking temperature will be 350°F.
2. The Process
First, preheat your oven to 350°F. This is the most ideal temperature for reheating lasagna. If you go any higher, the oven could suck away all of the lasagna’s remaining moisture and leave it bone-dry.
Place the lasagna on an oven-safe plate and cover everything up with foil. The foil will trap water vapor, keeping the lasagna moist while it bakes. You don’t need to add extra water or broth for this particular method since the oven’s heat is fairly gentle (unlike a harsh microwave).
Allow the lasagna to bake for 30 to 45 minutes until the core temperature is approximately 165°F (use a digital thermometer for this purpose.)
If you don’t have a thermometer at hand, watch the cheese layer at the top. If it has melted and looks appealing, chances are good that the lasagna is ready. Also watch the lasagna’s edges; a little sizzling is yet another sign of readiness.
Once it’s ready, pull the lasagna out, unwrap, and serve on a fresh plate (nobody wants to burn their fingers on the plate!).
On a Stovetop Skillet
1. Cook Time & Ideal Temperature
This should only take about 20 minutes compared to the oven’s 30 – 45 minutes of cooking time.
As for temperature, use medium-high heat at first to get the skillet hot, then switch to medium-low heat.
2. The Process
Slice up your lasagna into individual pieces and put one or two of them onto a cast-iron skillet. Add ¼ cup of water on top of each slice to keep them moisturized.
Bring the stovetop to medium-high heat. Watch all of the water you just added into the skillet carefully until it begins to simmer. You don’t necessarily need the water to boil — just a light simmer is enough.
Once that’s done, throttle down the stovetop to medium-low heat and put a lid on the skillet. Allow the lasagna to cook for approximately 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
During this process, the lasagna will absorb both the heat and the water. All of the slices are going to come out warm but not dehydrated.
If you want crisp lasagna, remove the lid at 15 minutes. This will harden the bottom and make it extra crispy.
Interestingly, you can reheat quite a lot of dishes using this technique (with a few small changes depending on the dish). As an example, you can reheat frozen rice using the same stovetop-skillet combo as seen here.
How to Reheat Lasagna in an Air Fryer
1. Cook Time & Ideal Temperature
Air frying your lasagna should take only about 10 minutes at most. The temperature to aim for is slightly higher than the oven at 375°F.
2. The Process
The first order of business to preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
If your air fryer comes with a loaf pan, we recommend that you reheat your lasagna on it. The pan is going to keep the cheese from dripping onto the basket and complicating cleanup.
Cover the loaf pan with foil and place your lasagna on top. Pop it in the frier and cook for 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, check the lasagna’s temperature to see if the core has reached 165°F. While you’re at it, also check the state of the cheese and the sauce (color, consistency, etc.)
If everything is in order, remove the lasagna, put it on a plate, and serve.
But if not, you can continue to cook the lasagna in small 5-minute bursts until you’re satisfied with the result. Don’t go overboard, though, lest you burn or dry it out.
How to Reheat Frozen Lasagna
To reheat frozen lasagna, you need to thaw it first. The easiest (but also most time-consuming) way is to pull it out of the freezer and allow it to come to room temperature on its own.
However, if you’re short on time, you can give it a short zap in the microwave.
Place the lasagna onto a microwave-safe plate and use the defrost setting. Microwave it for about five minutes until it is approximately room temperature.
This is a fairly universal technique to thaw freezer-stored food. The way to reheat frozen crab legs is virtually the same as this.
After that, you can reheat it using any of the methods above.
Conclusion
Lasagna can be just as good as leftovers as when it’s freshly baked. And now that you know how to reheat lasagna, go and create a platter of something amazing out of that leftover meal!
Meanwhile, if you have some time to spare and would like to read more about food reheating, try out the following guides from HealthyRecipes101:
- How to Reheat Fried Chicken: fried chicken doesn’t need lengthy introductions. Everyone knows what it is and how good it tastes. If you have a container of leftover fried chicken in your fridge, there’s good news. A good portion of its crispy goodness can be restored so long as you reheat it correctly. This guide can show you how.
- How to Reheat Steak in the Oven: for many, a good steak is the definition of “good food”. Tender, juicy, and — when cooked just right — incredibly satisfying. So, if you can’t finish your steak in time, pack it up and put it into the fridge. It would be a huge waste to throw it away immediately. Reheat the day after (preferably in the oven) and you can enjoy it as if freshly cooked.
- How to Reheat Mashed Potatoes: one of the best things that you can possibly use together with lasagna is mashed potatoes. You can combine leftover mashed potatoes with reheated lasagna to create a whole new dish called Pierogi lasagna. Or, if you’re feeling less motivated, you can just reheat it and use it as a side-dish. This guide can show you how to do so.
- Can I Reheat Corn on the Cob — Best Reheating Methods: corn on the cob is a staple of BBQ parties. Though you don’t often get to eat it, it’s certainly worth saving in the fridge if you couldn’t manage to use it all up in time. Reheated corn on the cob can be used as a wonderful light snack before meals! You can plate it as a side dish on the table if you so wish.
- How to Reheat Rotisserie Chicken in the Air Fryer: rotisserie chicken is fairly cheap and simple to make. As a result, it is a common dinner recipe for families. One of the best ways to reheat rotisserie chicken is with the air fryer. Further details (including other reheating methods) can be found in this article.
- How to Reheat Chicken Wings: like fried chicken, everyone knows and loves chicken wings. This guide can show you four different reheating methods that you can learn to take care of your leftover wings.
- The Best Methods to Reheat Salmon: salmon is one of the most popular fishes in the world. It is famed for its unique, mild-flavored meat that seems to melt in the mouth. Nonetheless, you might have some reservations about the safety of reheating salmon. Worry not, if you store it correctly and have the proper reheating technique, salmon is totally safe to reheat and use!
Authors
Luna Regina is an accomplished writer and author who dedicates her career to empowering home cooks and making cooking effortless for everyone. She is the founder of HealthyKitchen101.com and HealthyRecipes101.com, where she works with her team to develop easy, nutritious recipes and help aspiring cooks choose the right kitchen appliances.
