Can You Make Lasagna Ahead Of Time?

Lasagna is a labor of love. Whether you prepare all of the components from scratch or save time with jarred sauce and no-bake noodles, it requires a bit more effort to make than most pasta dishes—which is why it’s always a good idea to make it in advance if you can. 

The beauty of lasagna is that there are several ways to prepare it ahead of time, depending on when you want to eat it. Bake it ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator, assemble it, chill it, and bake it later, or assemble it and store it in the freezer to bake later. Whichever method you choose, all of which will result in a bubbly, cheesy dinner that everyone will enjoy. Some people even say that lasagna made in advance tastes better too, because the flavors get more time to blend together.

How To Bake Lasagna Ahead Of Time

1. If you prefer to reheat and eat your lasagna, simply prepare it according to the recipe instructions, all the way through the baking process. (If the lasagna has toppings like fresh herbs, leave those off.)
2. When the lasagna is baked, let it cool to room temperature, then wrap the dish tightly in aluminum foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
3. Reheat it in a 350˚F oven for 30 minutes (let the dish sit on the counter while the oven preheats), or until the lasagna is hot and bubbly. Garnish as desired.

How To Prep Lasagna Ahead Of Time

Alternatively, you can assemble the lasagna as directed, and store it, unbaked, in the refrigerator for 1 day. Bake as directed (let the dish sit on the counter while the oven preheats) and serve. You can also prep individual components of a lasagna recipe, like a sauce or ricotta mixture, a day or two ahead and store them in the refrigerator.

How To Freeze Lasagna Ahead Of Time

A fully baked lasagna freezes much better than an unbaked lasagna.

1. Prepare the recipe according to the instructions (we recommend using a disposable baking pan).
2. After the lasagna is baked, let it cool to room temperature, then wrap the dish tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
3. The day before you’re ready to eat it, let the lasagna defrost in the refrigerator overnight.
4. Then, reheat it in a 350˚F oven for at least 1 hour, or until the lasagna is hot and bubbly. 

Make-Ahead Lasagna Recipes

Our Best Lasagna

Butternut Squash Lasagna

Vanessa’s Make-Ahead Beefy Lasagna

Lasagna Roll-Ups