How to reheat lasagna in the microwave? - Step by step

There are few things that beat a serving of hot lasagna. If you want to serve up leftover lasagna that tastes exactly the same as it came out of the oven, you’ll need to know exactly how to reheat it.

Reheating lasagna isn’t as simple as popping a piece in the microwave, so how do you reheat it back to its original flavor and texture?

It is best to reheat individual slices of lasagna in the freezer, rather than one larger portion. Reheating lasagna in the microwave is quick and convenient, but you have to know how to do it well.

There are some tips and tricks, and certain steps to take when reheating lasagna in the microwave. If not done right, the lasagna can lose some of its moisture and all of its delicious goodness.

Reheat lasagna in the microwave - Step by step

The microwave is great for reheating lasagna from the fridge and from frozen. There’s no question that the microwave is one of the most popular methods of reheating lasagna, as it’s quick to make and you can still enjoy great-tasting lasagna.

If you’re going to reheat lasagna from the fridge, here’s what to do:

1. Place a serving of lasagna on a microwave-safe plate or tupperware (I like these from Amazon).
2. Pour about two tablespoons of water on top of the lasagna.
3. Cover the lasagna with some plastic wrap.
4. Microwave the lasagna for 5 minutes, but do so in 60-second increments.
5. Take the lasagna out of the microwave, but be careful as the plate or pan will be hot.
6. Let the lasagna rest for a minute, as this will allow the heat to spread evenly throughout the dish.
7. Cut a piece of the lasagna to make sure it has been heated through. If it’s not, microwave it again in 30-second increments until it’s heated through.

If you want to reheat frozen lasagna , you have two options. You can choose to leave the lasagna in the fridge to thaw overnight and follow the steps above.

You can also microwave the frozen lasagna, following the steps above, but allowing a longer heating time to thaw the lasagna and then heat it again.

You can also use the microwave defrost function for a few minutes to gently defrost the lasagna, before turning on the microwave to heat it up.

Making sure the lasagna is heated through

One of the common complaints about reheating lasagna in the microwave is that it doesn’t get all the way through. It can be difficult to evenly reheat lasagna in the microwave, due to its dense, cheesy layers.

You can end up leaving the lasagna in the microwave for too long, drying out the top and the pasta, just to try and warm the center.

To combat this, there is a little trick you can try. With an apple corer you can remove a small piece from the center of the plate.

Don’t throw away this small piece, which would be wasteful, but place it on the side of the plate to heat with the rest of the lasagna. Reheating the lasagna with the hole in the center helps the heat reach all areas of the lasagna, even the hardest to heat central part.

Reheat Lasagna Safely

While it’s fairly easy to microwave a piece of lasagna, you do need to make sure you handle the lasagna properly. Leftovers can be great for making a quick meal, but if you don’t follow proper storage steps, you could end up sick from spoiled leftovers, including lasagna.

If your lasagna contains meat or poultry, it’s even more important to follow all safety guidelines. Lasagna should be placed in the refrigerator or freezer within two hours of cooking.

To safely package lasagna, it must be tightly covered or placed in a secure storage container. It should then be placed directly in the fridge or freezer.

Lasagna, if stored correctly, can be kept in the fridge for up to four days. However, if the lasagna is placed in the freezer and kept at a constant 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below, it will be edible in four months. Although the lasagna will still be safe to eat after 4 months, the quality will slowly deteriorate.

Reheating the lasagna more than once

As with all foods, lasagna only needs to be reheated once. Obviously, you have to cook the lasagna first, and then refrigerate or freeze it, and then it will be time to reheat it to eat it.

If you don’t plan on eating all of the leftover lasagna, you shouldn’t reheat the entire batch. Once reheated, any leftover lasagna should be discarded.

This is due to increased growth of bacteria, which, if left unchecked, can cause foodborne illness. To avoid wasting leftover lasagna, you should freeze or refrigerate it in smaller portions, so you don’t have to thaw and reheat the entire batch just to enjoy one or two servings.

This rule extends to all foods; once reheated, the remains should be thrown away. Avoid wasting leftover lasagna by reheating only what you’re going to eat, and keeping leftovers well stored in the fridge or freezer.

How to reheat lasagna in the oven

Although reheating lasagna in the microwave is by far the fastest way to do it, you can also reheat lasagna in the oven.

Unlike the microwave, the oven takes a long time to reheat the lasagna, since you have to wait for the oven to heat up, and only then can you place the dish inside to reheat it.

However, using the oven, you can get reheated lasagna that is almost as good as when it was first cooked.

You can reheat the lasagne in the oven from the fridge or the freezer, the only difference is how long you leave the lasagne in the oven to heat up, as frozen lasagne obviously takes longer, needing about 10 more minutes.

Here’s how to reheat lasagna in the oven:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Place the lasagna in an ovenproof dish (like this one).
3. Put two tablespoons of water on top of the lasagna.
4. Cover the entire pan with aluminum foil.
5. Put the lasagna in the oven and let it heat up for 15 minutes if it comes from the fridge or 25 minutes if it’s frozen. You’ll need to check to see if it’s fully warmed up, and reattach it in 5-minute increments if it hasn’t.
6. If you have a kitchen thermometer, check to see if the internal temperature of the lasagna is 165 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, and if so, it’s ready to serve.

You can choose to keep the oven at a lower temperature, but you will need to adjust the cooking time to compensate.

The oven method works great for both frozen and refrigerated lasagna, but it will never make the lasagna reheat as quickly as a microwave would.

Related questions

Can lasagna be reheated without drying out?

It is entirely possible to reheat lasagna without drying it out. To do this, you should cover the lasagna with plastic wrap, and drop a few tablespoons of water over the top of the lasagna, before placing it in the microwave.

This gives it a bit of extra moisture and prevents any moisture from seeping out of the lasagna. If you are going to reheat the lasagna in the oven, you should cover it with aluminum foil.

How long do you have to let the lasagna rest before serving it?

Even if you are looking forward to eating the freshly made lasagna, you must be patient. You should let the lasagna rest uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, so that it sets. Allowing it to curdle during this time will prevent it from turning into a soggy mess.

That’s why people enjoy leftover lasagna more than freshly cooked lasagna, since it’s had time to set and the layers stay neatly separated, rather than blending together to form a lasagna soup.

Reheat lasagna in the microwave

Luckily, it’s entirely possible to reheat lasagna in the microwave, so you can treat yourself quickly at home or at work, without having to wait a long time for the oven to heat up.

However, for the best quality and flavorful lasagna, you should give it a little more moisture by placing a few tablespoons of water on the top layer, and cover the lasagna with plastic wrap before microwaving.

This will prevent moisture from seeping out of the lasagna, and you will have a moist, delicious meal that heats up quickly.