How Long Will Cooked Lasagna Last in the Refrigerator? Shelf Life Facts
I'm planning to store the leftover lasagna from the party in the refrigerator. How long can cooked lasagna be stored in the refrigerator? Let's take a look!
How Long Will Cooked Lasagna Last in the Refrigerator?
It can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 - 3 days and in the freezer for 1 - 3 months.
Refrigerator Storage: After the cooked lasagna has cooled down, place it in a clean and oil-free fresh-keeping box. Then cover it with plastic wrap and close the lid. After that, put the lasagna in the refrigerator.
Set the refrigerator temperature at around 4°C and it can be stored for 2 - 3 days. Make sure to seal it well to avoid the lasagna absorbing odors from other foods in the refrigerator.
Freezer Storage: If you want to store it for a longer time, you can divide the cooled lasagna into small portions and seal them in fresh-keeping boxes. Then put it in the freezer of the refrigerator. The freezer temperature is around -18°C. At this temperature, it can be stored for 1 - 3 months.
However, it is not recommended to freeze it for too long, otherwise, the texture of the lasagna will become hard and even after reheating, it won't be able to restore its original texture.
Can You Eat Lasagna After 5 Days in the Fridge?
Whether lasagna that has been in the refrigerator for 5 days can be eaten depends on the actual situation.
If it is stored in the refrigerator, it is not recommended to eat lasagna that has been there for 5 days. Under refrigeration conditions, lasagna can only be stored for 2 - 3 days.
Even if the lasagna that has been stored for 5 days doesn't seem to have mold, change color, or emit an odor on the surface, it has actually already developed bacteria and microorganisms. Eating it may be harmful to the human gastrointestinal tract.
But if it is placed in the freezer, it can still be eaten. Lasagna can be stored for 1 - 3 months under freezing conditions. For lasagna that has been stored for 5 days, you just need to take it out, thaw it, and then heat it up before eating.
Is It Better to Freeze Lasagna, Cooked or Uncooked?
I recommend freezing raw lasagna.
Although frozen baked lasagna is convenient to eat. You just need to take it out and reheat it to eat. But the reheated baked lasagna doesn't taste as good as when it was just baked. Its texture is relatively dry and hard.
However, if you freeze raw lasagna, the freshly baked lasagna tastes fresh, and the cheese and sauce inside will also blend better. At the same time, it can avoid the lasagna becoming too hard or dry due to secondary heating, which affects the taste.
How Long Can Assembled Lasagna Stay in Fridge Before Baking?
Assembled lasagna can be refrigerated for 24 - 48 hours (up to 2 days) in the refrigerator. Make sure to keep the ingredients fresh and prevent the sauce from seeping through too much, causing the pasta sheets to become too soft and soggy.
Refrigeration Tips
Sealed Storage: Cover the baking pan with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to avoid absorbing odors from the refrigerator.
Store on the Lower Shelf of the Refrigerator: The temperature is more stable, reducing the risk of bacteria growth.
Avoid Using Ingredients That Release Water Easily: Fresh spinach or mushrooms are prone to releasing water during refrigeration, affecting the texture of the lasagna.
Bring to Room Temperature Before Baking: After taking it out, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking to ensure even heating and avoid the middle part from being undercooked.
For Longer Storage
If you plan to store it for a longer time, it is recommended to freeze it. It can be stored in the freezer for about 2 - 3 months. When baking, there is no need to thaw it. Just directly extend the baking time by 20 - 30 minutes.
How to Reheat Lasagna From the Fridge?
Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 180 - 200°C in advance. This step is very important as it can make the lasagna heat evenly.
Wrap with Foil: Then take the lasagna out of the refrigerator and place it on a baking pan. Wrap the lasagna with foil to prevent the surface from burning.
Heating Time: For reheating, it only needs to be heated for 15 - 25 minutes. The specific time should be adjusted according to the size and thickness of the lasagna. For frozen lasagna, you can add 5 - 10 minutes. Heat until the cheese melts and the edges of the pasta are slightly golden.
Remove the Foil: 2 - 3 minutes before the end of heating, remove the foil and bake for another 2 - 3 minutes.
How to Tell If Lasagna is Cooked?
You can judge by the following aspects:
Check the Color: Observe the surface of the lasagna. The cheese of the baked lasagna should be completely melted and the color should be golden and slightly charred. If the cheese hasn't melted and the lasagna is still white, then it's not cooked yet.
Test with a Bamboo Skewer: Raw lasagna is firm. So when the lasagna is almost baked, you can insert a bamboo skewer into the middle of the lasagna. After 5 seconds, pull it out. If the skewer is warm, it means the lasagna is cooked.
Check the Baking Time: Under normal circumstances, baking in an oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 20 - 30 minutes is about right. If it's frozen lasagna, you can extend the time by about 5 minutes. So you can use the baking time as a reference for judgment.
Cut and Check: If you're not sure, you can cut the lasagna with a knife. If all the ingredients of the lasagna have softened and blended together, it means it's fully cooked. If the pasta still has a hard core, it means it needs to be baked further.
Measure with a Thermometer: This is the most effective method. Use a food thermometer to measure the internal temperature. When the internal temperature of the lasagna reaches 75°C (165°F), it means it's cooked.
