Does your leftover lasagna always become dried out when reheated in the microwave? Reheating lasagna in microwave is not easy due to the multiple thick layers.
When properly reheated, it will give you fresh made original texture and taste. Reheating food requires a bit of know-how and understanding, so let’s reheat lasagna in the microwave with quality in mind.
How do you reheat lasagna in the microwave? Transfer the desired amount of lasagna to a microwave-safe container and splash a few drops of water or sauce on top.
Stick a toothpick in the middle of the lasagna slice to prevent the layers from sliding off while reheating in the microwave. Cover the container with a paper towel to trap steam and prevent from drying out.
Microwave for 1½ minutes on full power. If needed, add 30 second interval until the lasagna is completely reheated to an internal temperature of 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Reheating any leftover meals in the microwave is quick and easy. However, every meal require specific techniques to get the best desired results. There are certain tricks, tips, and steps to follow to reheat lasagna in the microwave.
There can be ground meat, roasted veggies, tomato sauce, ricotta and parmesan cheese, and pasta to consider when reheating properly. If you are debating to reheat in oven or microwave, learn the quick and easy way to reheat lasagna in a microwave without drying it out.
In this article, we are going to answer frequently asked questions to help you successfully prepare a leftover meal and revive lasagna so it tastes fresh made. Included below is the best way to reheat lasagna in a microwave so that it turns out perfect every time.
Is it better to reheat lasagna in the oven or microwave?
When determining if it it is better to reheat lasagna in the oven or microwave, it actually depends on the amount and size of lasagna you need to reheat. If you are looking to reheat a slice or two of lasagna, microwave is best option to reheat.
A whole lasagna is generally too big of a size for the microwave. Therefore, it is recommended to reheat in the oven.
On the other hand, consider reheating time, for oven it may take about 30 to 45 minutes for lasagna to reheat plus preheating the oven also takes time.
In a microwave, a serving or two of lasagna takes 1½ minutes to reheat fully and ready to serve.
As a result, both reheating methods provide the same flavor and taste with proper reheating technique. There shouldn’t be any taste or safety concern that is better than the other.
Is it okay to reheat lasagna in the microwave?
Yes, it is okay to reheat lasagna in the microwave. As long as the lasagna is fresh and reheated to an internal temperature of 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit, then there is nothing to worry about.
Reheating lasagna in the microwave is actually fast and convenient; all you need to do is take certain precautions to not end up with dried up lasagna, microwave splatter or improper internal temperature.
In order to prevent this from happening, reheat one lasagna slice one at a time. If you need to microwave two slices simultaneously, ensure they do not touch each other by giving enough space to reduce the reheating time.
Cover the dish with a paper towel, plastic wrap or a microwave cover. Ensure a toothpick is inserted in the center and microwave for 90 seconds on full power.
Look out for an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If you do not follow these temperatures and timing, you will risk undercooking the lasagna and also may risk a possible explosion from hot steam and sauce in the center.
How long does it take to reheat lasagna in the microwave?
It takes 1½ minutes to fully reheat one slice of lasagna in the microwave at full power. It is advisable to reheat individual slices of lasagna at a time, because the more you overcrowd a plate or the appliance will slow it down.
Remember increasing the timing leads to overheating the lasagna and eventually causing splatter or the top layer to dry out. Just ensure that the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit by using a meat thermometer to take reading before consuming.
Tips for reheating leftover lasagna in the microwave
Anyone trying to reheat leftover lasagna aims at getting hot, moist, and delicious lasagna, similar to the original fresh taste. To get the desired results, certain precautions have to be taken.
Here are microwave tips to reheat leftover lasagna without drying out:
- If microwaving two slices at one time, ensure they do not touch each other and give enough space in between.
- Reheat the slices one at a time to prevent overcooking.
- Moisten the lasagna slice with water or sauce before covering the microwave-safe dish.
- Ensure that the cover in the preceding step does not touch your lasagna, thus taking away all the melted cheese. Sticking a toothpick in the center helps to create a tent shape to keep a lid elevated.
- Do not overheat the lasagna, it could lead to an explosion of boiling hot sauce and melted cheese.
- Make sure the internal temperature reaches 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit to safely consume.
Best way to reheat lasagna in the microwave without drying it out
Whether the lasagna is stored in fridge or freezer, with proper storing the taste and texture does not change when reheated. As a result, it is possible to reheat lasagna in the microwave and end up with a moist, delicious, and hot lasagna without drying out in the microwave.
Place the desired amount of lasagna on a microwave-safe dish, and drizzle a few drops of water or sauce on the slice to keep the moisture. Into the middle of the slice, stick a toothpick to ensure it sticks out a few inches, then cover with a paper towel, microwave safe plastic wrap or a microwave cover.
Reheat on full power for 1½ minutes, and check that the internal temperature reaches 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If needed, continue microwaving an additional 30 seconds more.
Due to ingredients like bolognese sauce, vegetable or cheese, this specific temperature provide safety when consumed without getting food poisoning from undercooked potentially hazardous foods.
Once the lasagna is fully reheated, stop the microwave and let it sit for 30 seconds to a minute in a closed microwave. Remove the lasagna and sprinkle with extra Parmesan cheese or drizzle some more warm pasta sauce and enjoy!
Reheating Lasagna in Microwave: Conclusion
Lasagna is a delicious and nutritious dish that is perfect to eat at anytime of day. It takes some time to prepare, but leftovers can be eaten through out a week and typically never goes to waste.
It’s easy to give the lasagna its original texture and taste by reheating it in the microwave. Reheating lasagna is fast, easy, and convenient for meal prep.
Using a microwave to reheat lasagna is the best method if you want to reheat small amounts at a time and not the entire tray of lasagna. Furthermore, reheating one slice of lasagna at a time is better than crowding in multiple pieces at once.
To prevent the lasagna from drying out as it reheats, drizzle some water or extra tomato sauce on its surface before covering with a paper towel or microwavable lid.
To retain the melty cheese and hot sauce on top, stick a toothpick in the middle of the lasagna slice to create a tent shape so the towel does not touch the top layer.
Reheat for 90 seconds at a time, and may need a total of 2 to 3 minutes to fully reheat the lasagna in a microwave. The microwaving time may vary depending on the size of lasagna and wattage of microwave.
Start with 90 second increment and evaluate the internal temperature. Once a temperature of 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit is reached, the lasagna is considered to be safe to eat.
There you have it, in just a few minutes cold lasagna can be reheated in a microwave to a proper temperature. Serve the lasagna by itself or with other side dishes and you meal prep will be ready to eat in no time at all.