In my family, lasagna has become a perennial get-together food. It's not a legitimate holiday when there's no lasagna on the table. We do take our pasta dishes seriously on my mother's side of the family, and we only make them using the highest quality bakeware. No wonder my mother insisted on the best lasagna pan as one of the items on her Christmas wish list.
Today, we'll show you what lasagna pans are made of, what to look for when shopping for one, and which among the five we reviewed trumps the rest.
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What Is A Lasagna Pan?
A lasagna pan is a bakeware often made of aluminum and ceramic. It is used to hold a lasagna, a favorite oven-baked pasta dish. These pans come in different types, sizes, materials, dimension, and shape. The best lasagna pan should feature useful additions like reasonably sized handles, a spatula, and a rack, to name a few.
Types
Deep Dish
Any bakeware that's over 2" deep is considered a deep dish. Deep lasagna pans allow for more layers and leave room for a rich thick cheese topping. You'll see that the most common deep dishes are 3" in depth.
Triple-compartment
Triple-compartment lasagna pans are great if you wish to make three different flavors of lasagna in one baking time. Some triple-compartment pans come with convenient lift-up handles for easy serving.
Roaster
Roasters, also called roasting pans, are perfect for baking lasagna for a big party. Some may come with mesh splatter guards and lift-up handles. If you have enough oven space, then a roaster is best to use. Also, you might want to consider this type of lasagna pan if you like having crispy edges to your lasagna.
Material / Construction
Aluminum
Aluminum is an excellent conductor of heat. It is the most lightweight material for a lasagna pan. It's fairly strong and scratch-resistant. The only drawbacks are that it doesn't distribute heat evenly and it tends to get pitted if you cook acidic foods in it. Is lasagna acidic? It's a tomato-based dish, so yes.
Ceramic
Ceramic is perfect for making lasagna because it gradually heats up. It also doesn't react to the composition of the food, so acidic foods like lasagna won't have an effect on the bakeware, and vice versa.
While ceramic pans are not non-stick, they have a smooth glaze that almost achieves the same goal. Also, you can serve the lasagna directly from the attractive ceramic pan.
Glass
Like ceramic, glass lasagna pans are non-reactive. They're a good heat conductor and browns the dish pretty well. If you like slightly burnt cheese topping, you're going to want to get a glass lasagna pan.
Cast Iron
Cast iron pans are versatile. They can be used in the oven, on a grill, and on a stove without worrying about it cracking, chipping, pitting, or boring a hole. You can also use any utensil with a cast iron pan and not see any dent or scratches on the pan's surface.
However, cast iron normally only heats evenly when you pre-heat it for 10 minutes. Another drawback is it's a bit heavy.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is rust-resistant, scratch-proof, and even easy on the eyes. However, you should know that it has poor heat conductivity. The trick is to get a stainless steel lasagna pan with either copper or aluminum core. The reinforcement will significantly improve how the stainless steel pan conducts heat.
Silicone
Silicone lasagna pans have a non-stick finish that allows for easy release of baked goods. They are generally BPA-free, and are food grade silicone. Do you have limited storage in your home? Don't worry, silicone lasagna pans can be folded up.
Copper
Copper is popular in the kitchen, albeit being expensive. Why? Because aside from its aesthetics, it's a great heat conductor. Copper adjusts to temperature and it distributes heat, allowing for a more even cook.
Carbon Steel
Carbon steel is a cross between stainless steel and cast iron. It's cheaper than stainless steel and more expensive than cast iron. You know how some cast iron pans get smoother after you've used it several times? Carbon steel pans get better with age too.
The pans are typically coated with a non-stick finish, allowing for easier maintenance. However, you should still be careful not to let a carbon steel pan sit in water for a long time.
Dimension
Lasagna sheets measure approximately 13 inches, so you want your lasagna pan to be at least 12" long. The extra two inches will allow for easy serving, especially if you're making the lasagna in a deep dish that has no lift-up handles. The standard glass and metal lasagna pans are 2.5" deep, but try to get pans that are 3" deep, 12" long, and 9" wide.
If you want to know how to make lasagna sheets at home, watch this video here.
Features
Consider the features when shopping for a lasagna pan. What's the coating? Are there lift-up handles so you can easily lift the lasagna up without breaking its form? Does it come with a lid?
Also, check if it comes with a roasting rack because lasagna pans are versatile. You can always use it for cooking something else! A nice lasagna pan will include a spatula that fits its grooves. That's not a deal-breaker, though.
Our Helpful Reviews On Five Lasagna Pans
Rank | Image | Product Name | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1
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93
/100
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2
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91
/100
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3
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89
/100
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4
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84
/100
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5
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80
/100
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*Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
The Rachael Ray Stoneware lasagna casserole stands out for its color, convenient shape, and construction. Bakeware needs to be easy to pull out of the oven, and this lasagna pan achieved that goal with its wide handles and secure grip. While the pan's aesthetics can be deceiving, the pan is actually durable enough and can withstand 500 degrees Fahrenheit heat.
This Rachael Ray pan comes with a lid and has a non-porous surface. Expect a stain-free stoneware from Rachael Ray. This covered pan is dishwasher-safe, microwave-safe, and freezer-safe. It measures 13.5 x 9 x 4.5 inches and weighs 8.9 pounds.
Editor's Rating: 93/100
Price on Amazon: $49.99
Pros
- Has wide handles and comfortable grip
- Comes with a lid/cover
- Microwave-safe lid/cover
- Easy to clean, dishwasher-safe
- Can withstand heat of 500 degrees Fahrenheit
- Non-porous stoneware
Cons
- Needs to cool first before putting in the dishwasher
- No warranty on their stoneware line
The 7117-14RR is Cuisinart's newest addition to their Chef's Classic line. It comes with a roasting rack and is made of aluminum with a mirror finish. The Cuisinart 7117-14RR has side handles, making it easy for you to place the pan inside the oven, as well as taking it out.
This aluminum-clad stainless steel lasagna pan fits in all standard ovens and weighs 4.7 pounds. The size is perfect for baking alongside something else in the oven. The stainless steel interior is non-reactive, so the lasagna gets to keep its natural flavors. This pan is perfect for serving lasagna to a large party
Since it's a roaster, you can use this lasagna pan for cooking other foods such as chicken, beef, pork, or small turkey. The pan measures approximately 3 x 10.5 x 13 inches.
Editor's Rating: 91/100
Pros
- Non-reactive stainless steel
- Mirror finish for both interior and exterior surface
- Easily fits in all standard ovens
- Comes with a stainless steel roasting rack
- Has stainless side handles
Cons
- May warp under high heat
- Dimension does not allow full accommodation of a standard lasagna sheet.
- Aluminum-encapsulated bottom
Le Creuset stoneware dishes are heavier than most in its category. They are multi-purpose and heats evenly. This lasagna pan comes with grooved handles and a lid for convenient and efficient cooking. The Le Creuset has an enamel surface that prevents utensil marks and odor absorption.
This pan also blocks moisture absorption, thus preventing rippling and cracking. Take extra care, though, as you can't put this pan on a stovetop. Because it is stoneware, expect variations from every piece produced. The pan measures approximately 11.5 x 7.75 x 2.75 inches.
Editor's Rating: 89/100
Pros
- Less than 1% porosity
- Can handle 500 degrees Fahrenheit heat
- Has scalloped side handles
- Odor-resistant
- Oven-safe, dishwasher-safe
- Heats evenly
- High-quality enamel finish
Cons
- Handles become hot during prolonged microwave use
- Heavy at 8.6 pounds
The triple-compartment Chicago Metallic lasagna pan encourages your creativity in the kitchen with its three compartments. If your family is a mix of vegetarians, vegans, and meat lovers, then this lasagna pan is perfect for you. The channels accommodate standard size lasagna sheets.
The pan is made of non-stick coated steel and measures 15 x 12 x 3 inches. It's very light at 1.9 pounds.*If you need pointers on how to make a vegetarian lasagna, watch this video here.
Editor's Rating: 84/100
Pros
- Can hold three different lasagna recipes
- Standard lasagna sheets fit perfectly.
- Approximately 3" deep
- Low maintenance and rust-free
- Dishwasher-safe
Cons
- Wells aren't as wide as the top
The Baker's Secret lasagna roaster is made of 0.5 gauge steel. It's a large roasting pan that's perfect for an occasion with an expected big number of guests. This lasagna pan features a non-stick finish and is dishwasher-safe. Unsure of its quality? Don't worry, the manufacturer is confident enough of its quality that it offers a lifetime warranty.
If you want a heavy-duty roasting pan that's easy to maintain, try the Baker's Secret Essentials. This pan measures 14.5 x 10.5 x 1.8 inches and is very lightweight at 1.4 pounds.
Editor's Rating: 80/100
Pros
- Low maintenance
- Perfect for a large party
- Non-stick coating
- Dishwasher-safe
- Lifetime warranty from manufacturer
Cons
- May be too big for a standard oven
- Coating chips off over time and after prolonged exposure to heat.
- The non-stick finish needs cooling time before washing.
The Winner
For a large family like ours who get together 2-3 times a year for catching up and enjoying our traditional lasagna, I can easily say the best lasagna pan for us is the Baker's Secret 1114459 Essentials. Why? It's the cheapest, lowest in maintenance, and has a lifetime warranty. Although we know the coating will chip off eventually, we don't make lasagna everyday anyway! And the lifetime warranty takes care of all other concerns! For $10, it's well worth it.
You'll be able to gauge which pan suits you most by how frequent you make lasagna and what else you'll do with the pan. If you're unlike us, then we recommend that you get the durable one that's non-reactive and heats evenly.
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