Best Lasagna Pan
It’s bothering me for a long time, whether we like more lasagna or pizza for dinner?
My husband likes luscious layers of meat, sauces, and creamy cheese hiding between sheets of delicious pasta.
And I love it because making it gives a chance to my imagination.
What is lasagna?
Probably one of the most loved family meals ever. Lasagna originates from Italy, where the first modern recipe was created and published in “Liber de Coquina – The Book of Cookery.”
Original lasagna meal was made by interleaving layers of pasta with layers of sauce, made with ragГ№, béchamel, cheese, and boiled eggs.
Outside of Italy, this meal is made from mozzarella cheese, various meats (beef, pork, or chicken), and vegetables like spinach or mushrooms and flavored with wine or garlic.
Aside from imagination and all ingredients, it is of utmost importance to have the proper tool to produce a perfection called lasagna. As cooking lasagna can put your skills to the test, the selection of an adequate lasagna pan is equally important as your cooking skills.
So I have spent some time reviewing other people’s experiences, the types of lasagna pan that they were using, trying to select the best lasagna pan for my family. It was difficult for me to test them all, so I decided to research and select one that I am going to buy.
Finding the best Lasagna Pan – The Market is Offering Us a Variety of Choices
Lasagna Pan Materials
Nowadays, pans are made from various materials such as stainless steel, cast iron, glass, ceramic, silicone. All of them have their own advantages and disadvantages, so choose carefully.
For the beginning, we need to know basic things about them:
- Ceramics / Glass
Very durable materials that are heating gradually to get the best-baked lasagna ever. Acidic food does not influence the surface of ceramic or glass pan, so your lasagna will never have that “metal taste.” Using any kind of spatula in this type of pan is easy, and you will not damage the inner surface.
- Carbon Steel
They are made as a compromise between stainless steel and cast iron. Even their price range comes somewhere in between. Usually, they are coated with a non-stick layer, making them a good idea if you would like to purchase a lasagna pan.
See Also: Top 5 + Recommended Carbon Steel Woks
Well, many “home chefs” today are pretty much sure that it is always best to have stainless steel dishes. The lasagna case shows that even though it is scratch-proof and rust-resistant, stainless steel is a quite poor heat conductor.
Aside from this, using acidic food in stainless steel pan is not a good choice since your food can acquire a “metal taste” sometimes.
- Cast Iron
Cast iron is a very durable mixture of steel and carbon. As it is scratch-resistant and resistant to deformations, it can easily be used either in a convection oven, grill, or stove.
You can also find silicone pans, which are quite good also (their advantage is easier storage), aluminum, and copper pans. Even if those materials can be quite ok when selecting a lasagna pan, I would stick to the above-mentioned four main materials.
Lasagna Pan Sizes
It’s not that there is any rule on the market but what I have noticed during my reviews is that usually, pans are 2.5 and 3 inches deep. I would call 2.5 inches “regular” and 3 inches “deep” pans.
When it comes to lasagna making, I think deeper is better. It gives me an opportunity to make more layers of pasta and meat and provides more space for a rich cheese cover.
See Also: My Picks For Cheese Slicer
Getting a deeper lasagna pan is also good if your pan does not have handles.
Overall dimensions of today’s pan are quite similar, ranging from 13 x 9.5 inches and going up to 13 x 10.5 inches. Standard lasagna pasta is approximately 10 inches in length.
What are the important things to have in mind?
Glass or ceramics – glass or ceramic pans are very good distributors of heat. They will not heat quickly but will retain heat for a long time, even outside of the oven.
Metal (aluminum, stainless steel, or cast iron) pan – they heat up more quickly, and they are very good if you like your lasagna brown.
The size of pan – have in mind that with every pan, you need to go “deep and long” so your pan can accommodate even large lasagna noodles.
Most Recommended Lasagna Pans: Detailed Reviews 2022
HIC Oblong Rectangular Baking Dish Roasting Lasagna Pan
Here’s a dish that can be used for lasagna, casseroles, or serving veggies. Fine glazed porcelain/ceramic is the material used for this pan. Even though it’s one of the lightest pans I’m reviewing for you, it performs well. Its size (13 inches) falls under the standard pan size.
The good thing about this one is that you can use it in both microwave and freezer and it is good looking so you won’t be ashamed if you serve your dish in it.
Another good thing about this pan is that it can withstand very high temperatures (up to 500F), so you can also use it in the broiler. This model of HIC Oblong lasagna pan has an underside that is not glazed, so it doesn’t slip and slide. As cleaning is important as as cooking, this pan is quite easy to clean due to its glazed surfaces. Just put some water in it before cleaning or using a dishwasher.
Another good thing about this lasagna pan is that for the same price you get the porcelain dish which can also be used for serving vegetables or even some nice meat course.
Things I like:
- Very light for material which is used
- Underside not glazed, so it’s not slipping
- Size 13 inches, so it fits in most of the modern ovens
- Oven and dishwasher safe
- Very affordable price
Things I didn’t like:
- Having even a small handle would be nice. Maneuvering with a hot pan without handles is quite difficult.
- Could be a bit deeper since this model is 2.5 inches deep
- Even producer states that size is 13 x 9 inches the bottom is a bit smaller
Chicago Metallic 26783 Lasagna Trio Pan
Chicago Metallic Lasagna Trio Pan will push you to the limit! This type of pan can really boost your creativity. Three separate compartments will allow you to cook three completely different meals, all in one pan. The width and length of each channel are the same as lasagna standard noodles, so you do not have to worry about that.
Chicago Metallic is made of nonstick coated steel in dimensions of 15 x 12 x 3 inches, and it is very light for its category, only 1.9 pounds.
One other thing I like about this pan is that it’s not good only for lasagna, but it can also be used for loaf bread or cake. So this practically means that you can make lasagna for dinner and at the same time bake bread for tomorrow morning.
Lifetime warranty? Excellent! Well, Chicago Metallic is providing one for real, based on the definition:
“…ensuring the product will be free from defects in material and craftsmanship and will last a lifetime under normal use.”
The price of this pan is above average, but having in mind what you are getting, it sounds like a good deal for me.
Things I like:
- Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning
- Nonstick coating
- Can accommodate three different recipes
- 3 inches deep lasagna pan
- Very light, only 1.9 pounds
- Lifetime warranty
Things I didn’t like:
- Top and the bottom of the channel to don have the same width
- Pan does not have handles
Cuisinart 7117-14RR Lasagna Pan with Stainless Roasting Rack
This Cuisinart lasagna pan comes with a roasting rack in the same package. The look is very elegant with a mirror-finished surface. Size is almost perfect for this size of a pan, 14 inches in length. The pan has two riveted handles, very elegantly made, making it very easy to lift and hold even when it’s heated.
With the included roasting rack, it provides additional cooking opportunities. Since it’s made from stainless steel, food will not react with this pan, so each and every time, you will get the same taste of your lasagna.
When it comes to a roasting rack, the first thing I noticed is that it is quite heavy (in this case, this should mean durable also). Another look, and I realized that the roasting rack is also made of stainless steel. When compared to others, this pan is the heaviest one that I was reviewing.
Even the stated size of the pan in the specification is almost ideal, the real length of the pan (with handles) is around 18 inches which is quite long. When I measured, the depth of the pan was also smaller than in the specification.
Things I like:
- Aluminum interior does not react with food
- Stylish mirror finish surface
- Riveted stainless steel handles
- Comes with stainless steel roasting rack for additional cooking opportunities
Things I didn’t like:
- The material is not ticked, so it can warp under high temperatures. Most of the negative reviews are connected to the warping of the material.
- Aluminum bottom heats up too fast, so if you are not careful, you can get brown lasagna in no time.
- Heavy for its size
Cuisinart CI1136-24BG Chef’s Classic Enameled Cast Iron
Cuisinart Chefs Classic enameled is a “state of the art” lasagna pan. It is made of cast iron and features a porcelain enameled interior that does not impact flavors and does not absorb odors. This pan provides excellent heat retention and very even heat distribution.
The handles are made from cast iron, and they are very wide and comfortable to use. As far as cleaning is concerned, this Cuisinart pan is dishwasher safe, so you can clean it in no time – it behaved really well in my washer. And the last but not the least interesting thing about it is that it comes in a few colors and it can also be used as a serving dish. Pan approximate size is 18.2 x 10.5 x 3.8 inches.
One important thing to be considered when buying enameled cast iron is that after the purchase, you should take a close look at the bottom and look for any imperfections or small holes. Potential holes in the enameled surface will make cast iron rust during the time, and that can lead to chipping of the enameled layer.
Things I like:
- Very wide cast iron handles
- Porcelain-enameled interior
- Dishwasher safe
- Odor resistant
- Heats evenly
Things I didn’t like:
- Handles can become quite hot during longer use in the microwave
- The price is quite high. Among my finalists, this one was the most expensive one
- It is a bit heavy, especially for the built-in oven, which is placed a bit higher in your kitchen
Cook Pro 561 4-Piece All-in-1 Lasagna and Roasting Pan
Two for the price of one – this would be the initial description for this 4-piece set. You will be getting two pans and two roasting grills in the same package. The smaller pan size is 12.5 x 9.5 inches, and the bigger one is 16.5 x 12 inches. The bigger one is a bit deeper.
In addition, you get two roasting racks made out of chrome. Both pans have foldable handles for easier removal from the oven or storage. Even it is made from stainless steel, I cannot say that I didn’t notice that the bottom of the pans is kind of thin, which is not good from my experience. Not good for heat retention, and they tend to warp after some time.
Handles are just the right size for my hand, but being foldable can also be an advantage or disadvantage. The good side about folding is that you can store pan easily, but bad thing is that when you are reaching for the pan while in the oven, you are just a few millimeters from touching the hot surface.
Things I like:
- Stainless steel material
- Foldable handles for easier maneuvering and storage
- Comes with two stainless steel roasting racks
- Two sizes of pans in one package
Things I didn’t like:
- Material is not quite ticked, so it can warp under high temperatures
- Foldable handles can also be an imperfection since it is possible to touch a hot pan before reaching the handle
- Difficult to clean after roasting
The Verdict & My Recommendation
In my family, it is extremely important that lasagna is delicious all the time. It is considered the “goddess of the meals” by my sons.
Making a final decision and declaring a winner was not an easy choice.
After reviewing my top choices for lasagna pans, I would say that Cuisinart CI1136-24BG Chef’s Classic Enameled Cast Iron is my favorite one, and I would choose it to be my next lasagna pan as it is the best lasagna pan that I was reviewed.
It really features everything my family needs when it comes to lasagna:
- Porcelain and odor resistant interior,
- It heats evenly and stays warm for a longer time to keep food warmer,
- It’s easy to clean and
- Looks very nice when you serve food in it.
As we are making lasagna quite often, this would be the perfect choice for us.
When you think of the value for money aspect and put the price on one side and “lasagna perfection” on the other, this pan is still an absolute winner.
Related: How to Reheat Frozen Lasagna So It Tastes Delicious