Lasagna is one of those meals that makes servings for several individuals in one convenient pan. It is relatively cheap to make, takes a while to cook, and can be frozen and reheated for several meals thereafter.
The best way to reheat lasagna is simply to use the microwave in individual pieces, which makes it faster and easier to do so. You can also reheat a whole lasagna if you have to, in which case the best method of doing so is in the oven. If you’d like, you can sometimes use a slow cooker to reheat lasagna, too.
There are many ways to reheat lasagna. All you have to do is have a little imagination. However, lasagna is a meal that is filling, economical, and feeds many at once.
Finding the Best Method to Reheat Lasagna
Ensuring you’ll have a tasty meal for days after making it, finding the perfect way to reheat lasagna is key to maintaining flavor and texture. If not taken care of properly, lasagna noodles can become mushy and slimy when cooked for a second time.
Usually, finding the best way to reheat lasagna is a matter of trial and error. However, there are some tried and true ways you can use that will typically provide a tasty second version of lasagna.
Microwave
If you have a smaller portion of lasagna or frozen lasagna, the best way to reheat it is in the microwave. You’ll want to cut up the lasagna into smaller pieces in order for it to heat quickly and thoroughly. Here are a few steps to follow to properly microwave lasagna:
- Take out a small piece of lasagna out of the fridge.
- Put it in a microwave-safe plate, and cut slits throughout.
- Place a paper towel atop the lasagna or a microwave plate cover.
- Microwave for 30 seconds at a time, checking occasionally for doneness.
Oven
When you have an entire lasagna, it is easier to reheat it in the oven instead of in the microwave. To begin with, the larger space within an oven accommodates an entire lasagna.
You can easily pull an entire baking dish of lasagna out of the fridge, cover it in foil, and pop it in the oven for a hearty meal. In fact, it’s easier to make two lasagna dishes at the same time and save one for a meal later to cut down on costs and time.
Follow these steps to reheat cold lasagna in the oven:
- Take the lasagna out of the dish it’s in, if not already in a baking dish.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Once the oven reaches temperature, put the lasagna in and reheat it for about 30 minutes.
- When it’s done, take the lasagna out to let cool a bit before eating.
Slow Cooker
You can even use a slow cooker to reheat lasagna, if you need to. This small warming unit makes it easy to warm lasagna over a period of time. Follow these steps to reheat lasagna in a slow cooker conveniently:
- Place lasagna pieces from the fridge in the slow cooker. If an entire lasagna will fit in there, that is fine too.
- Put the lid on the slow cooker and turn the dial to LOW.
- Let reheat for approximately 2 hours or until warmed thoroughly.
Tips for Reheating Lasagna
When you’re reheating lasagna, you’ll want to make sure you keep enough moisture in your pasta to make it taste good. Talking about pasta, see what does pasta with squid ink tastes like?. You can do so by putting a bit of water in the bottom of the pan to get the job done. Putting foil or a lid over the lasagna as it reheats can help, too.
Don’t put too much water in the lasagna, though, as it can make your noodles soggy. The same process can be applied to reheating chow mein.
Add cheese to the top of the lasagna if the cheese has become hardened or brown from prior cooking. This will give your leftover lasagna a bit of a refresh while you heat it.
If you want to cover your lasagna without the cover actually touching the top and taking off the cheese, you can put a moistened paper towel over the top and prop it up with a toothpick.
Don’t reheat lasagna in the cardboard boxes they come in. Instead, put it in a dish or on a plate.
Lasagna is tasty whether it’s the first time you’re eating it or the second, but these tips will help make your lasagna a delectable dish when it is reheated, too.