In short, there are four methods to reheat lasagna: using a microwave, an oven, a skillet, or in an air fryer.
That delicious, juicy, and perfectly soft taste of lasagna simply arouses everyone’s desire to eat. But, what about cold lasagna? Well, everybody simply doesn’t like touching it as they are hard, dry, and not at all juicy.
The trouble with lasagna is that you always bake a whole bucket of it, so you almost always end up with leftovers. That means you need to master the successful warm-up technique, that we will share with you in this article. We promise you that reheated lasagna can taste just as good as it was in the beginning even if you have frozen lasagna.
How to Warm Up Lasagna In The Microwave
We put this method first because it is the fastest. It will probably come in handy if you are in a hurry to eat lunch during a break. This is also a convenient method if you have one or a maximum of two pieces of lasagna. It won’t work if you have multiple pieces to reheat at once. In which case, choose an oven.
Here’s how to microwave leftover lasagna.
Step 1: Place the Lasagna on the Microwave-safe Dish
First of all, place refrigerated or frozen lasagna on a plate on which you will reheat them. If you have a larger piece, we suggest that you cut it into at least two parts to easily heat it evenly.
Step 2: Add Water and Cover
Add some water around the edges of lasagna—one or two tablespoons will be enough. After that, cover the plate with a plastic foil made for the microwave. This will help create the steam, which will contribute to the freshness and juiciness of lasagna. This way, your lasagna shouldn’t be dry.
Step 3: Heat for a Few Minutes until Warm
The warming process should take up to 5 minutes maximum. We recommend that you choose shorter intervals of 90 seconds and repeat until warm enough.
Reheating Lasagna In The Oven
Reheating lasagna in the classical or the toaster oven is perhaps the best way to heat it evenly especially after you freeze lasagna and is practical if you have multiple pieces to warm up. Also, as the lasagna is cooked a little longer, you can add extra cheese to them. It will melt nicely and give extra juiciness. For better results, you should thaw frozen lasagna first.
Step 1: Preheat the Oven to 325 °F
First, you need to preheat the oven to a medium heat of 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While the oven is heating up, you will have plenty of time to prepare the lasagna.
Step 2: Prepare the Lasagna in a Casserole
Sprinkle a couple of tablespoons of water along the edges of the lasagna. Then, cover the pan with a lid or aluminum foil to allow steam to form when heated. Don’t forget that you can grate extra melty cheese on top to make it tastier. Use only oven safe dish.
Step 3: Bake for 15 to 25 Minutes
Leave the lasagna leftovers in the oven to heat for at least 15 minutes. They will need so much time to warm up, so you can check if it is warm enough. If not, reheat for 5 to 10 minutes more to warm up properly.
Heating Up Lasagna In A Skillet
You may not have thought of this solution first, but you can also heat refrigerated lasagna in a pan, on the stove. There are only a few rules you have to follow, and a delicious extra crunchy lasagna can be served.
Step 1: Prepare the Lasagna by Slicing them
In this case, you will not be able to heat the whole piece of lasagna well. You have to cut it into thin strips so you can put it in the pan and cook it. Perhaps, the best thickness will be like one finger. It is important that it is not too thick for the interior to heat up well.
Step 2: Preheat the Skillet with a Little Bit of Oil
Let your cast iron skillet preheat, but don’t push it to maximum heat. Add a tablespoon of oil and let it heat a little bit as well.
Step 3: Place your Lasagna Strips and Roast
Place your lasagna slices in the skillet—first, on one side for a minute or two, and then flip on the other side. That should be enough, but of course, judge it by yourself if you need to let it fry a little more to warm up better. Your lasagna should be nicely crispy and juicy.
Warming Up Lasagna In An Air Fryer
Not as fast as a microwave, but close enough. If you have this kitchen assistant, you can freely heat lasagna in the air fryer. The procedure is relatively similar to the previous ones. The only disadvantage of the air fryer is that you will not be able to heat several pieces of lasagna at once. That is, you can do as much as will fit in one layer in the baking dish. Do not stack one piece on top of another because you will certainly not get equal heating, and the inner parts may remain completely cold. So if you have more pieces, a classic oven will probably be more practical.
Step 1: Prepare the Lasagna
First of all, you need to put a piece of lasagna in a baking dish that is suitable for an air fryer. If you have the original dish that was purchased with the device, it will be the best choice. Just remember that you can’t use a wire basket because the contents will leak out. Place the lasagna in the dish and then cover it with aluminum foil. Feel free to add extra cheese on top of the lasagna for a fuller flavor.
Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer
Turn on the air fryer to preheat to 375 F. As these machines are very fast, it will probably only take a few minutes, so you can do everything simultaneously while assembling the lasagna.
Step 3: Heat for one longer and one shorter cycle
First, you will need to heat the lasagna thoroughly so it is completely hot in the middle. Depending on how thickly filled the lasagna is, this will take about 8 to 10 minutes. Then remove the aluminum foil and return to baking for another 3 to 5 minutes. That way, the cheese on top will become extra crispy, and the dish will be tastier.
FAQs
Should I leave lasagna in the fridge overnight?
Yes, certainly. Lasagna contains meat, cheese, and bechamel sauce that are prone to bacterial growth. Place it in an airtight container or cover it with plastic wrap for safer keeping.
Can I freeze cooked lasagna?
Sure, you can. If you know you won’t eat the leftovers in a day or two, simply freeze them for a more extended period. Just remember that frozen lasagna should be defrosted prior to reheating.
Can I get food poisoning from old lasagna?
Yes, you can. Lasagna should be eaten within 3 to 4 days, provided that they are properly stored in the refrigerator. Please do not eat them after that period. Besides, if you notice a strange odor or mold on them, throw them away.
How do restaurants reheat lasagna?
Restaurants typically reheat lasagna by using an oven or microwave until it reaches the desired serving temperature.
Conclusion
Lasagna leftovers, after reheating, can be a great meal. In fact, if you heat them properly, you will hardly notice the difference between the reheated and the newly cooked ones.
It is important to add moisture when cooking so that they do not dry out and become inedibly hard. Depending on how much time and pieces of lasagna you have, it’s important to know the right reheating method to use. Even when you want to reheat frozen lasagna, all of our mentioned techniques will help.
Tanja is great lover of healthy eating and lifestyle, she has been editing TV series about nutrition and health for years. She also engaged in food production in the family business, mainly focused on fruit processing without destroying vitamins and minerals. She believes that quality nutrition is one of the key ingredients of a happy and healthy life.
