There are several different ways to go about freezing lasagna. Choosing the best method depends on how much of it there is and if it has been cooked. Available freezer space needs to be considered as well. Freezing lasagna in the proper type of container is also important to ensure that it freezes properly, remains fresh while frozen, and can easily be cooked when removed from the freezer.
Making lasagna is not an easy task. Due to that fact, many people choose to make more than one lasagna at a time and freeze the extra one. This provides an extra lasagna for a future meal. When ready to eat, the lasagna can be defrosted and heated. In order to maintain freshness through this process, the lasagna must be frozen properly.
Both cooked and uncooked lasagnas can be frozen whole. An uncooked lasagna can be prepared in the same manner as if it were going to be baked but put into the freezer before doing so. To do this, the lasagna should be assembled in a container that can be moved directly from the freezer to the oven since once it is frozen, it will be very difficult to move the lasagna from one container to another. Cooked lasagna can also be frozen, but the lasagna should be allowed to cool thoroughly before freezing. Freezing lasagna that has been partially cooked is not recommended.
Another way of freezing lasagna is to line the baking pan with aluminum foil before assembling the lasagna. The lasagna is then put together in the pan, cooked and cooled, and then transferred to the freezer, where it should be partially frozen and then removed. It can then be lifted out of the pan, fully wrapped in foil, and returned to the freezer.
A freezer safe container with its own lid is the best choice for freezing a whole lasagna. The lid will lock in freshness, keep out air and freezer smells, and prevent freezer burn. Plastic wrap or aluminum foil can be used for a pan without a lid. Ideally, the covering should be wrapped securely around the entire container to prevent air from entering and spoiling the lasagna.
It is common to freeze lasagna in individual portions. This allows the lasagna to be easily reheated as needed, without the need to defrost and cook or reheat an entire lasagna. For freezing lasagna in smaller portions, containers that are both freezer and microwave safe are the best option, so that the lasagna can be removed from the freezer and placed directly into the microwave to defrost and reheat. The smaller pieces of lasagna can also be wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil or placed in freezer-safe plastic bags. This method saves room in the freezer that might be taken up by bulky containers.