Can you freeze seafood lasagna?

Table of Contents

Quick Answer

Yes, it is possible to freeze seafood lasagna. Seafood lasagnas with fish, shrimp, crab, or other seafood can be frozen either before or after baking. Freezing helps preserve the lasagna so it stays fresh longer. When freezing a cooked seafood lasagna, allow it to cool completely first. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. Store in the freezer for 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. An uncooked seafood lasagna can also be assembled and frozen. Again wrap it well and freeze. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking as usual. Freezing does change the texture slightly making it less firm, but it still tastes delicious.

Can You Freeze Raw Seafood Lasagna?

Yes, absolutely. Freezing uncooked seafood lasagna is a great way to make lasagna ahead of time to save you effort later. Here are some tips for freezing unbaked seafood lasagna:

Make the lasagna layers as you normally would with a seafood filling, noodles, cheese, and sauce.
Do not pre-bake the noodles when layering raw as they will cook when baked later.
Wrap the assembled raw lasagna very tightly in 2 layers of plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil.

Squeeze out excess air before sealing.
Label with contents and freeze-by date.
Freeze for up to 2-3 months.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
Preheat oven to 375°F and bake as recipe directs for 60-90 minutes until hot and bubbly.

Freezing raw keeps the integrity of the noodles intact better than freezing baked lasagna. It also saves time as you can make 2-3 lasagnas at once while you’re assembling them, then freeze for quick meals later.

How to Freeze Cooked Seafood Lasagna

Freezing fully cooked seafood lasagna is simple. Here are some tips:

First, let the baked lasagna cool completely, for about 2 hours.
Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, pressing it around the lasagna to remove air.

Then wrap the plastic-wrapped lasagna in a layer of aluminum foil.
Label the lasagna with the contents and freeze-by date.
Freeze for up to 2-3 months at 0°F.

Thaw the frozen lasagna overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to serve.
Reheat thawed lasagna in a 350°F oven for 45 minutes, until hot in the center.
You can also reheat individual portions for 10-15 minutes.

Freezing cooked lasagna makes it quick and easy to enjoy homemade lasagna anytime. The foil prevents freezer burn allowing it to reheat well. Let it thaw slowly to prevent a watery texture.

Tips for Freezing Seafood Lasagna

Here are some top tips to freeze seafood lasagna successfully:

Use fresh, not thawed, seafood for best quality if making raw.

Undercook noodles slightly when layering raw to account for additional cooking when baked.
Cool cooked lasagna completely before freezing, about 2 hours.
Double wrap lasagna first in plastic wrap, pressing out air, then in foil.

Freeze lasagna flat on a baking sheet then transfer to bag or container.
Add a layer of parchment between foil and plastic if using tomato sauce.
Label frozen lasagna with contents and date.

Store frozen for 2-3 months at 0°F.
Thaw overnight in fridge before use.
Bake thawed lasagna at 375°F for 45-60 minutes until hot in center.

Following these tips will give you the best shot at freezing and reheating delicious seafood lasagna. The plastic wrap prevents freezer burn while the foil helps retain moisture during reheating. Lay flat while freezing to prevent cracking.

What Kind of Seafood Works Best?

Most types of cooked seafood work well in lasagna you intend to freeze:

Shrimp – Thaw before assembling raw, or cook before layering

Crab – Use canned, imitation, or cooked fresh crab meat
Lobster – Use cooked lobster meat
Scallops – Best if cooked first then layered

Clams, Mussels – Cook first, remove shells
Fish – Use cooked, flaked white fish like cod, halibut, etc.
Smoked Salmon – Add raw when layering

Sturdier seafood like shrimp, crab, and lobster tend to hold up better when frozen compared to more delicate seafood like fish. But any seafood works! Just be sure to thaw or cook it first before assembling raw lasagna to freeze.

How to Thaw Frozen Seafood Lasagna

Here are some tips for thawing frozen seafood lasagna properly before baking or reheating:

Thaw lasagna overnight or up to 2 days in the refrigerator. This keeps it safe.

Place lasagna in fridge while still wrapped. This prevents drying out.
You can quick thaw in cold water but this risks food safety.
Never thaw at room temp or in hot water which can breed bacteria.

Cook thawed lasagna right away, do not refreeze.
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Bake thawed lasagna 45-60 minutes until hot, 165°F in center.

Cover with foil if top browns before center is cooked.
Let stand 10 minutes before cutting and serving.

The low temperature thawing in the refrigerator helps retain moisture and texture best. Baked immediately once thawed, frozen seafood lasagna can taste nearly as fresh as the day you made it!

Can You Freeze Baked Seafood Lasagna with Noodles?

Yes, it is perfectly safe to freeze baked seafood lasagna, noodles and all. Here are some tips:

Allow baked lasagna to cool at room temperature for 1-2 hours.
Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, getting out as much air as possible.

Then wrap in foil to prevent freezer burn.
Label lasagna with contents and freeze-by date.
Lay flat in freezer until frozen solid, about 8 hours.

Transfer to freezer storage bag or container and freeze up to 2-3 months at 0°F.
Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating at 375°F for 45-60 minutes.

The cooked noodles will get a little softer when frozen compared to fresh. But they return to an edible and enjoyable texture once thawed and baked. Freezing baked lasagna allows you to make ahead and enjoy later with minimized effort.

Can You Freeze Seafood Lasagna with Ricotta?

Ricotta cheese is a very common ingredient used as a filling in seafood lasagna. Fortunately, ricotta freezes well, making it possible to freeze lasagnas containing it. Here are some tips:

Use high-quality whole milk ricotta for best results.
Assemble and layer raw ricotta as you normally would when making the lasagna.

You can mix ricotta with eggs, herbs, etc before layering if desired.
Wrap assembled raw lasagna tightly in 2 layers of plastic wrap and foil.
Freeze for up to 2-3 months at 0°F.

Thaw frozen lasagna overnight in the refrigerator.
Preheat oven to 375°F and bake thawed lasagna 45-60 minutes.
The ricotta may separate a bit but will still taste great!

The high fat content of ricotta prevents excessive weeping or graininess after freezing. Enjoy your ricotta seafood lasagna thawed with no need to change your recipe!

Can You Re-Freeze Thawed Seafood Lasagna?

It is best not to re-freeze thawed seafood lasagna. Refreezing lasagna risks the following:

Food safety issues from bacteria growth

Poor texture – noodles become mushy
Off flavors develop
Watery, dried out lasagna

Discoloration

If you thaw too much lasagna at once, you have a couple options:

Portion and reheat only what you will eat within 3-4 days.

Cook, slice, and freeze extra in meal-size portions to grab later.
Cook, refrigerate up to 4 days, or freeze sliced lasagna within 1-2 days.

Avoid the temptation to refreeze thawed lasagna. For best quality and food safety, thaw only what you can eat within a few days and cook or re-freeze extra within 1-2 days.

Can You Freeze Seafood Lasagna with Sauce?

Yes, it is fine to freeze a seafood lasagna containing tomato sauce or other sauces. Here are some tips when freezing saucy lasagna:

Use a high-quality sauce that is thick, not watery.
Layer sauce as you normally would when assembling raw.

Put a sheet of parchment paper between the sauce and plastic wrap when freezing.
Double wrap lasagna tightly first in plastic wrap then aluminum foil.
Thaw sauce lasagna overnight in the fridge before baking.

Preheat oven to 375°F and bake 45-60 minutes.

The acids in tomato sauce can cause pitting and metal reactions with foil over longer freezer time. The parchment prevents this. Proper wrapping prevents excess water from leeching out from sauce when thawed.

Conclusion

In summary, seafood lasagna can absolutely be frozen either before or after baking with excellent results. Be sure to wrap it well in plastic and foil to prevent freezer burn or damage from sauce. Thaw slowly in the refrigerator before reheating at 375°F until hot and bubbly in the center once again. With proper freezing and thawing methods, frozen seafood lasagna will taste nearly as fresh and delicious as the original. Freezing is a great way to prepare seafood lasagna ahead of time or save leftovers to enjoy later.