A lasagna in the freezer is like money in the bank.
So why not work it to your advantage?
Everything we say here goes for lasagna and most any other casserole.
Cambrea Bakes
This whole process is very adaptable.
Think of it as a choose-your-own-adventure in meal prep!
Can You Freeze Cooked Lasagna?
Cambrea Bakes
Why choose one over the other?
You might have time to put a casserole together, but not time to bake and cool it.
In that case, freeze it unbaked.
Sally Vargas
A benefit of thawing first is that it cuts down on the time the casserole takes to bake.
If using foil pans, keep a tray under the casserole for support until its frozen solid.
This will prevent the pan from buckling under the weight of heavier lasagnas or casseroles.
Coco Morante
Oh, but Ive done it a hundred times and not had an issue, you may be thinking.
I thought the same thing, too, until it happened to me.
Not only is it startling; you lose a dishandyour dinner.
Elise Bauer
Best to play it safe and stick to ceramic or metal.
This route is especially good for households with eaters who dont adore leftovers.
An 8x8 pan also takes less time to heat for serving.
Sally Vargas
How to Wrap Lasagna for Freezing
In short: foil, foil, and more foil.
Dont skimp on the foil.
A thorough job wrapping the lasagna ensures it doesnt get freezer burned.
Kalisa Martin
Be sure to label and date the dish.
Casseroles That Freeze Well
Most casseroles freeze beautifully.
Mashed potatoes freeze quite because of the fat added, though, so Shepherds Pie is good to go!
Here are some of my favorite casseroles to freeze.
Ive pulled off six months, at the most, but even that was pushing my luck.
Baking Frozen Lasagnas and Casseroles
Use a moderate oven temperature for frozen casseroles.
This heats them up gradually so the corners dont get overdone while the center is still cold.
Set the oven to 350F.
Its okay to put a fully frozen casserole in the cold oven as it heats.
Bake as long as the recipe directs, then add at least 15 minutes of additional baking time.
A thawed frozen dish will take less time than one straight from the freezer.
Check on the casserole halfway through baking time.
To get the top nice and brown, you may want to remove the foil.
The lasagna or casserole is ready when an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of the casserole reads 160F.
What about it you dont have a thermometer?
Look for cheese or sauce thats bubbling (a pre-baked one might not bubble, though).
There’s no magic formula for how long itll take to bake a frozen casserole.
Its simply ready when its ready.
I stuck it in a 350F ovenbeforeit preheated.
Wrap well and make a note on the foil of the pan size.
Then, when its time to bake, simply unwrap the casserole and pop it back in the pan.
