sliced lasagna on white ceramic plate
Lasagna (Photo by Karolina Kołodziejczak)
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Best Frozen Lasagna: Top 5 Oven-Ready Meals Most Recommended By Experts

July 5, 2023
by Alan Corona

Casseroles, savory pies, and of course lasagna are some of the most satisfying comfort foods available. For those who don’t know, lasagna is an Italian-style dish traditionally made with layers of flat noodle, cheese, a sauce such as tomato-basil or marinara, and sometimes vegetables or meat. They are then covered with cheese and baked until gooey and melted. Our list of the top five best frozen lasagnas could lead you to a new favorite!

Love Italian food, but feel guilty whenever you indulge? Fear no more, researchers say. A new study by Nutritional Strategies Inc., which pulled data from tens of thousands of American children and adults via the government’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, has found that pasta eaters have a better nutrient intake than non-pasta eaters. This is particularly the case when it comes to nutrients that people are commonly deficient in, such as iron, folate, magnesium, and fiber.

Pasta eaters were also found to consume less saturated fat and sugar on average, all while relying upon healthier carbohydrates to give them energy. Previous studies had found that the consumption of pasta— a food low in sodium, free of cholesterol, and possessing a low glycemic index— often leads to favorable health outcomes.

A glorious pasta binge is a potential weekend reward for some people. A survey of 2,000 people finds 68 percent look forward to their weekend eats due to having a stressful week. More than two in five (44%) said they eat better quality food on the weekends than they do during weekdays. More than half of Americans (55%) believe eating can act as a form of therapy.

When it’s time to have a little something special as a treat, or for those with a craving for Italian flavors, our list of the top five best frozen lasagna brands could be a useful resource.  Let us know your favorites in the comments below!

A baking dish of lasagna
A baking dish of lasagna (Photo by maryam jahanmehr on Unsplash)

The List: Best Lasagna Brands, According to Experts

 

1. Michael Angelo’s Lasagna with Meat Sauce

The perfect balance of pasta, cheese, and savory sauce are what make a lasagna great. “We chose this one for overall best taste and the simplest ingredients – no preservatives – just real ingredients. It is cheesy with a nice bit of ricotta mixed in as well. This is the closest thing to homemade lasagna in our opinion, and it’s most likely because they make these in small batches from scratch,” praises Pasta.com.

Michael Angelo’s has pleased reviewers and consumers alike. “Michael Angelo’s uses family recipes from Sicily to craft authentic, filling Italian cuisine. The company uses the best ingredients, emphasizing artisan cheeses, organic tomatoes, and lots of high-quality garlic… Hungry Italian enthusiasts who microwave the dish will enjoy a hearty meal in 6 minutes. However, the lasagna requires an hour in the oven,” writes Restaurant Clicks.

“Michael Angelo’s Meat Lasagna comes with no preservatives and is loaded with layers of tangy meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and mozzarella cheese. It’s available in a two-pound tray and a bigger tray that’s nearly three pounds. Some customers dig this lasagna from Michael Angelo’s so much that they insist it’s ‘the best lasagna on the market’ … Considering Michael Angelo’s puts so much effort into making top-notch meals, it should come as no surprise that customers appreciate the taste of this lasagna,” writes Daily Meal.

2. Rao’s Made for Home Meat Lasagna

Rao’s Homemade is emerging with some of the strongest Italian specialty food items in retail today. “Rao’s Homemade line… strives to produce high-quality frozen goods that deliver big flavor. The brand’s frozen meat lasagna touts a fresh-tasting pasta with layers of ricotta, beef, sausage, and mozzarella with marinara sauce. You can also expect some garlic, basil, and parsley to drive home those quintessential Italian flavors,” explains Mashed.

Rao's Made for Home Meat Lasagna
Rao’s Made for Home Meat Lasagna

“Rao’s was a cut above the rest of the other lasagnas sampled and by far our panel of judges’ favorite. The cheese was evenly distributed across the top and perfectly melted, forming a delicious crust that comes with homemade versions. The sauce was flavorful, well-salted, and rich, like a hearty tomato sauce enriched with dairy. The ricotta was soft and velvety rather than chunky and dry. The ingredient ratios were well-balanced so nothing felt overwhelming,” notes Wide Open Eats.

“For a hearty, nutritious serving of home-like lasagna, you can always count on Rao’s. Offering an authentic taste and texture, Rao’s frozen meat lasagna seeks to offer you a pleasant experience enjoying this Italian-style dish. To begin with, the sauce used for Rao’s lasagna is made from Italian whole peeled tomatoes. This frozen meal is also layered with mozzarella, ricotta, as well as Romano cheese. Therefore, the dish boasts an impressively creamy and savory flavor,” adds Lacademie.

3. Marie Callender’s Lasagna with Meat Sauce

Marie Callender offers a heavier lasagna that could be quite filling. “This lasagna has the most layers of any lasagna on this list. The meat sauce is on point and it features a trio of beef, pork, and Italian sausage, giving it a dimension of flavor. It’s incredibly creamy, too. They also use a blend of parmesan and romano cheese so you get a salty bite throughout. Marie Callender’s also uses ricotta cheese rather than cottage cheese, scoring higher points. This one is meaty, cheesy, and warm. ‘It makes me think of the Midwest,’ says editor-in-chief of ‘Sporked,’ Justine Sterling… Pair it with a salad and call it a day,” according to Sporked.

“If you’re on the prowl for frozen lasagna, there are probably two main motivating factors: Convenience and affordability. Marie Callender’s Italiano Lasagna delivers both in spades. While this lasagna won’t necessarily blow your mind, it’s still incredibly good considering its low price point,” adds Daily Meal.

Marie Callender products are comfort foods, and the lasagna is no exception. “This Italian-style lasagne is perfect for any romantic dinner for two or simply a great movie night amongst family and friends. The pasta has been made from scratch making it extra special. And, they have also decided to use a blend of cheeses including ricotta, parmesan, mozzarella, and romano. The tomato base is made from ripened vine tomatoes and they have also added some delicious Italian sausage,” offers Foods Guy.

4. Amy’s Vegetable Lasagna

Fans of Amy’s products will find that this is another excellent entrée. “Amy’s Kitchen started out as a humble family operation making pot pies in the late ’80s (via Amy’s). Years later, the company expanded its menu to include popular items like burritos, macaroni and cheese, and pizzas. If you ask us, Amy’s makes some of the best frozen food in the business. The company’s vegetable lasagna is yet another stellar offering from Amy’s impressive lineup,” states Daily Meal.

Amy's Vegetable Lasagna
Amy’s Vegetable Lasagna

Veggie lasagna is a must for many consumers, and it helps that this brand also has eye-appeal. “Out of all of the frozen lasagnas I tried, Amy’s Vegetable Lasagna looked the most like a slice I’d get at a restaurant. It was perfectly square and I could actually see the ingredients in between the layers. Unlike Stouffer’s lasagna, I could actually taste the vegetables individually—they didn’t all blend together. The cheese was creamy, but I could have used a little more (it is lasagna, after all). I’d definitely get this again,” praises Eat This, Not That!

“It is not surprising that Amy’s frozen lasagna makes it into our listing. Amy’s Kitchen has existed since 1988 and it is a remarkably common family business that’s regarded as among the best in regards to the creation of organic and frozen foods. It is currently rated among the top 5 greatest meatless dishes on Amazon, and also lots of our chef buddies even recommended it to us also. We certainly were not disappointed whatsoever with the grade of the lasagna,” writes Far & Away.

5. Stouffer’s Meat Lovers Lasagna

Turns out that one of the oldest and most-established brands in frozen food is hard to beat, “Perhaps the crown jewel of Stouffer’s entire lineup — and arguably one of the best entrees in the whole field of frozen meals — is Stouffer’s Meat Lovers Lasagna. This frozen lasagna hooks it up with everything you want out of this classic Italian dish — a rich and hearty meat sauce, tender noodles, and a generous spread of savory cheese,” gushes Daily Meal.

Stouffer’s is great for those seeking a meaty entrée. “It seems Stouffer’s wanted to appeal to all the carnivores out there with this meat lovers lasagna. Instead of simply beef or pork, this lasagna is filled with Italian sausage and pepperoni, along with ground beef and pork. The meat mixture is part of a ‘hearty tomato sauce’ and layered with sheets of pasta and some cheese, for good measure,” describes Mashed.

Another source offers critical feedback despite ranking Stouffer’s as runner-up to the best. “Stouffer’s Lasagna was a childhood favorite of mine, and therefore the frozen meal I was rooting for. However, my young memories let me down. While the lasagna noodles were thick and hardy with a great texture, the cheese was chunky and unevenly melted,” critiques Wide Open Eats.

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Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.

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