Lasagna is a delicious Italian baked pasta dish made with layered noodles, cheese, meat, and tomato sauce. It’s a fan favorite comfort food for many. When you cook lasagna, it’s generally assembled ahead of time and then baked all together in the oven. This means that after cooking, the lasagna will need to properly cool and set before it can be safely stored. So how long should you let your lasagna sit out after cooking before refrigerating or freezing the leftovers?
Can lasagna sit out overnight after cooking?
It is not recommended to leave lasagna sitting out overnight after cooking. Lasagna is a dish containing several perishable ingredients like cooked pasta, cheese, meat, eggs, and dairy that can quickly spoil if left out too long at room temperature. Bacteria grows most rapidly in the “danger zone” between 40°F and 140°F. So if cooked lasagna is left out overnight, it will likely be in this temperature danger zone for several hours, allowing harmful bacteria to multiply to unsafe levels.
According to food safety recommendations, cooked leftovers should not sit out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. After this point, the leftovers should be promptly refrigerated or frozen. Leaving lasagna out on the counter overnight would far exceed the recommended 2 hour window. For optimal safety and quality, lasagna is best refrigerated within 1-2 hours after cooking.
How long can cooked lasagna sit out at room temperature?
Cooked lasagna should only sit at room temperature for up to 2 hours after baking, according to food safety guidelines. Within this window, the lasagna should still be safe to eat or can be refrigerated for later. If the room temperature is above 90°F, the sitting out time should be reduced to just 1 hour.
Here are some general food safety guidelines for how long cooked lasagna can safely sit out after baking:
- At room temperature below 90°F – Up to 2 hours
- At room temperature above 90°F – Up to 1 hour
- In hot temperature over 90°F (like a picnic) – Discard after 1 hour
The warmer the temperature, the faster bacteria can grow. So during the summer or in hot environments, it’s best to refrigerate lasagna within an hour of cooking. As a general rule of thumb, don’t leave lasagna or any cooked food sitting out for longer than 2 hours before putting it into the fridge.
Does refrigerating extend how long lasagna can sit out?
Yes, refrigerating the lasagna after cooking will allow it to safely sit out at room temperature for longer before going bad. This is because refrigeration slows down bacteria growth. According to food safety recommendations, cooked lasagna that has been properly refrigerated after baking can then be safely left out at room temperature for up to 4 hours before discarding.
Here are the guidelines for lasagna that has been refrigerated after cooking:
- Lasagna refrigerated after baking can sit out for up to 4 hours
- Lasagna that was frozen after baking can sit out up to 2 hours after thawing
The cooler temperatures of the fridge or freezer slow down bacteria growth, extending the time lasagna can safely be left out at room temperature. Just be sure to discard any lasagna that has exceeded the 4 hour sitting out time after refrigerating.
How long does cooked lasagna last in the fridge?
Properly stored lasagna that has been promptly refrigerated after cooking will last 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator. To maximize fridge life, here are some tips for storing leftover lasagna:
- Let lasagna cool for about 30 minutes after baking before refrigerating
- Divide into individual servings or smaller containers for faster cooling in the fridge
- Make sure lasagna is covered tightly with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container
- Place lasagna on a shelf rather than in the door, which opens frequently
- Consume refrigerated lasagna within 3 to 5 days
Lasagna that is left in the refrigerator too long may start to dry out. But it’s still safe to eat for up to 5 days if it has been stored properly. Beyond 5 days, it’s best to discard the lasagna.
| Storage Time | Fridge Temp (40°F or below) |
|---|---|
| 1-2 hours | Safe to eat |
| 3-5 days | Safe to eat |
| 5-7 days | Risk of spoilage |
The exact refrigerator shelf life depends on factors like the fridge temperature and how well the lasagna was cooled initially after cooking. If in doubt, remember the old adage – “when in doubt, throw it out.” Discard leftover lasagna if it smells bad or shows signs of spoilage like mold.
Is refrigerated lasagna safe to eat after 5 days?
Lasagna that has been continually refrigerated for longer than 5 days after cooking may not be safe to eat. Even when kept chilled in the fridge, leftover lasagna only has a limited shelf life before the quality and safety starts to decline. The acidic tomato sauce in lasagna can eat away at the cooked noodles over time, causing sogginess.
Here are some signs leftover refrigerated lasagna may no longer be good after 5 days:
- Lasagna has dried out or noodles seem overly soft
- Odd odor
- Mold growth
- Discoloration
- Texture changes in meat, cheese, or veggies
Trust your senses – if leftover lasagna smells, looks, or tastes off after being refrigerated for 5-7 days, it’s best to throw it away. Don’t take risks with food poisoning. While it may still look okay, harmful bacteria can start multiplying even when lasagna is kept chilled in the fridge after several days.
How can you tell if refrigerated lasagna has gone bad?
Watch for these signs that leftover lasagna has spoiled and is no longer safe to eat after refrigerating:
- Appearance: Mold growth, dry or cracked noodles, watery sauce, discoloration
- Texture: Extremely mushy noodles, rubbery or slimy cheese, soft vegetables
- Smell: Sour, off odors
- Taste: Bitter, tangy, salty, or “off” flavors
Lasagna that is kept past its prime in the fridge will start to deteriorate in quality and safety. Rely on your senses. If the lasagna doesn’t look, smell or taste normal, err on the safe side and throw it away. Don’t try to salvage lasagna that has gone bad in the fridge. It’s simply not worth risking foodborne illness.
How to store lasagna for maximum fridge life
Follow these storage tips to keep leftover lasagna safe for 3-5 days in the fridge:
- Let lasagna cool for 30 minutes before refrigerating
- Divide into smaller portions in shallow airtight containers
- Ensure lasagna is covered tightly with plastic wrap or foil
- Place on a shelf rather than the door where temperature fluctuates
- Avoid overcrowding the fridge which reduces air circulation
Can you freeze lasagna after it has been refrigerated?
Yes, it’s safe to freeze leftover lasagna after refrigerating it for a few days. Freezing stops bacterial growth, allowing lasagna to be preserved for longer term storage. To freeze lasagna that’s already been refrigerated:
- Make sure lasagna was refrigerated promptly after baking (within 2 hours)
- Check that lasagna still looks and smells fresh
- Allow lasagna to fully cool in the fridge before freezing
- Divide into individual or family-size portions
- Wrap lasagna tightly in plastic wrap and foil
- Place in freezer bags or airtight containers, removing as much air as possible
- Label package with date and contents
- Freeze for up to 3-4 months
Frozen lasagna that has been properly refrigerated after cooking should maintain its quality and taste for several months in the freezer. Just be sure it has not exceeded the recommended 3-5 day fridge life before freezing.
Can you get food poisoning from lasagna left out overnight?
Yes, there is a risk of food poisoning if lasagna or any other cooked food is left out at room temperature overnight. Harmful bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, Clostridium perfringens, Bacillus cereus, and E. coli can grow rapidly on perishable foods like lasagna when left in the danger zone between 40°F and 140°F for too long.
Common food poisoning symptoms from eating spoiled lasagna include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach cramps
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Headache
Consuming lasagna or leftovers that have been left out too long at room temperature can allow these pathogenic bacteria to quickly multiply to dangerous levels that can cause foodborne disease. If you’re experiencing symptoms of food poisoning, contact your doctor right away.
How to prevent food poisoning from lasagna
You can prevent foodborne illness by properly handling and storing leftover lasagna:
- Refrigerate lasagna within 2 hours after baking
- Never leave lasagna or any leftovers out overnight
- Divide lasagna into shallow containers for fast cooling
- Consume refrigerated lasagna within 3-5 days
- Discard lasagna left out more than 2 hours (1 hour if >90°F)
- Check for signs of spoilage before eating leftovers
Following food safety recommendations when storing leftovers is important. Lasagna should never sit in the danger zone for too long after cooking. When in doubt, remember the phrase “when in doubt, throw it out!”
Conclusion
Lasagna and other cooked foods with perishable ingredients like dairy, cheese, eggs, and meat should not be left out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours (or just 1 hour if above 90°F). Leftover lasagna that has been promptly refrigerated after cooking may keep for 3 to 5 days in the fridge. Frozen lasagna can keep for 3-4 months when properly wrapped. Reheating to 165°F before eating will also help destroy any bacteria. Storing lasagna according to food safety guidelines will reduce the risk of foodborne illness.