Here's Why Chefs Don't Bother Reheating Cold Lasagna
Are you a fan of cold pizza? If so, you are not alone or strange in any way (no matter what the cold pizza haters tell you). In fact, in 2019 Slice conducted a poll that showed that 53% of respondents would rather eat cold pizza than any traditional breakfast foods (via Food & Wine). Yes. Cold pizza. Not hot.
The truth is that some foods are simply better cold. Rumor has it that meatloaf develops a meatier flavor and improved texture after chilling out in the fridge. In fact, some recommend that you make extra so you can dig into a meatloaf sandwich the next day. Fans of thin mints say that refrigeration makes them crispier and causes the minty taste to really pop. And, that's not all. Some say that fried chicken, mac and cheese, and Chinese takeout are best served cold. Why do these foods taste so darn good when they're chilled? Dr. Kantha Shelke of the Institute of Food Technologists explained to Forbes that when a dish is given the time to cool, "the different flavor and aroma compounds mingle together and develop more seasoned notes." In other words, the stronger flavors mellow, better enabling you to taste the more subtle ingredients as well.
And, surprisingly, that batch of lasagna that you devoted quite a bit of time to preparing is another dish best served cold. Gasp.
Cooling makes lasagna much less sloppy
While lasagna purists everywhere may be rendered speechless by the idea of eating this dish cold, some say letting it chill is the logical choice. Why? Well, for one thing, when a helping of lasagna is hot, its layers tend to slide off each other. All that runny sauce, slippery noodles, and melted cheese make for one heck of a sloppy meal. It's almost as frustrating as keeping one's McDonald's Big Mac intact. When lasagna has spent some time in the fridge, however, the sauce thickens up and the cheese becomes firmer, making it all grip together. It's much easier, then, to create a forkful that has a bit of every ingredient.
Executive Chef Jason Bergeron agrees. He told Food & Wine that letting it sit overnight in the fridge allows "everything to meld together, creating a uniform taste throughout." He does advise lasagna lovers not to store their creations near the refrigerator's fan saying they should opt, instead, for a shelf near the bottom of the fridge. And be sure it is completely covered.
If you've never tried cold lasagna leftovers, you may want to introduce your taste buds to this novel experience. Simply whip up this easy lasagna recipe today and enjoy it tomorrow. Cold. And remember, don't knock it 'til you've tried it.