Last Updated: February 2023
There is nothing better than the hot, melting cheesy goodness of a freshly prepared lasagna. Piled high with the perfect blend of cheese, mixed with perfectly tender, yet crisp noodles. It really is one of the ultimate comfort foods.
Prepare a great dish of lasagna, and you will be sure to get your family to gather around the table in no time. However, if you don’t have a great lasagna pan, you may not lure your family to the table, but instead, make them want to order take out.
The truth is that while you may have the best lasagna recipe in the world, and you may use the freshest ingredients possible if you aren’t making it in the right pan, your attempts to make an incredible dish could be curtailed.
Why is using the right pan so important when you are making lasagna? Well, honestly, it’s because you need to make sure that the combination of ingredients cooks just perfectly. If you don’t have the right pan, the noodles can become too soggy, the cheese may not melt, the meat may be cold… and you could end up having a big sloppy mess in the middle of your dinner table, instead of a totally fulfilling and taste bud tantalizing meal.
Whether you are using the recipe that has been passed down from generation to generation in your family, you have perfected your own recipe, or you are using a recipe that you have found in a cookbook or online, if you want your lasagna to come out absolutely amazing, you really do need to have the right pan.
So, how do you go about finding the right lasagna pan? Sure, it may seem like a simple and straightforward quest; however, it’s a lot more complicated than you might think. Yes, you can use any type of pan; however, if you want your lasagna to come out as amazing as possible, any old pan simply won’t do. With that said, it can be difficult to choose the best lasagna pan for your needs. Why? – Because there are so many different options available, which can make things a bit confusing. Should you choose a certain shape? A certain material? Does size really matter? These are all questions that you may be asking, and all questions that will need to be answered if you are shopping for the highest quality lasagna pan.
Because there are a lot of things to know about shopping for a lasagna pan, and because it can be more difficult to find one than you may initially realize, we have put together this handy buyer’s guide for you. In this guide, we discuss everything you could possible want or need to know about buying a lasagna pan. We talk about the characteristics that make for a high quality lasagna pan, and characteristics that you should shy away from. We also talk about things that you should take into consideration when you are on the hunt for the perfect pan, the different types of options that are available, and we also share our picks for the top five lasagna pans that are currently on the market.
So, without further ado, let’s get down to business, shall we? Here’s a detailed look at everything you need to know about finding the perfect lasagna pan….
What You Need to Know About Lasagna Pans
In order to find the best lasagna pan, you first need to understand that not all options are created equal. There are certain elements that make for a high quality lasagna pan, and elements – or lack of elements – that make for a poorer quality pan.
In this section of our buyer’s guide, we discuss what you should know about the highest quality lasagna pans, and what you should know about pans that we deem less than high quality.
THE GOOD
If you truly want to find the best lasagna pan possible, there are certain elements that you are going to want to look for. Here, we share with you some of the characteristics that a high quality lasagna pan will offer.
A Deep Dish
If you want your lasagna to be a thick, hearty meal, you are going to want to shop for a deep dish. The deeper the pan, the heartier your lasagna will be. Yes, you could make do with a shallow pan, but the truth is, you will be limited by the amount of ingredients that you can add to it. With a deep dish, you will have more versatility, as you will be able to pile the ingredients up high, or you will be able to add only a few layers and make a shallower dish.
Square or Rectangular Shape
The best lasagna pans are either square or rectangular in shape. While you could technically make a lasagna in any shaped pan, the most efficient pans are square or rectangle. Why? – Because you don’t have to worry about needlessly breaking or cutting noodles. You also don’t have to worry about having any empty space along the sides, which could lead to your lasagna collapsing or ingredients pouring out, resulting in a messier, less impressive presentation.
Non Stick Surfaces
This does depend on the type of lasagna pan you are going to purchase (more on that later.) If you are going to be purchasing a metal lasagna pan, a non-stick surface is ideal. The interior bottom and sides of the pan will be coated with a non-stick surface, such as Teflon. A non-stick surface will help to prevent the lasagna from sticking to the pan, which will result in a better quality product. Plus, you don’t have to worry about adding a non-stick spray, which, let’s face it, can happen sometimes. Additionally, a non-stick surface will make cleaning the pan a whole lot easier.
Easy to Clean
While we are on the topic of easy to clean, the best lasagna pans are just that; easy to clean. If you are opting for a metal pan, as we mentioned, a non-stick surface will help to make cleaning the pan a lot easier. If you are going to go for a ceramic or stoneware dish, those that have a glossy interior surface will be easier to clean. The glossy appearance means that the material has been sealed, which will make it easier to remove any remaining ingredients that may be stuck to the interior of the pan.
Easy to Handle
A lasagna pan should be easy to handle. Loaded with ingredients, this dish can become heavy and cumbersome, which can make it difficult to handle the pan. Look for an option that offers handles or edges that have a lip will make it easier to remove from a hot oven and transport onto your table.
THE BAD
There are also certain elements that you should be on the lookout for that indicate a lasagna pan is less than high quality. If you purchase a pan that has any of the following features – or lacks any of the following features – chances are you are going to be unhappy with the results that it will deliver.
Oval or Round in Shape
As we mentioned above, a pan of any shape can be used to make lasagna, including oval and round pans. However, the downside of an oval or a round pan is that it can be difficult to line with the lasagna noodles. You will end up having to break the noodles, which can impact the end result of the recipe. Additionally, it can be hard to fill the gaps around the edges of the pan, which can cause ingredients to run out of the lasagna, resulting in a less appealing finished product.
No Non-Stick Surfaces
If you are going to be shopping for a metal pan, you definitely want to make sure that it has non-stick surfaces. If it doesn’t, you run the risk of having your ingredients of your lasagna burn and get stuck to the interior of the pan. If this happens, it will certainly lead to a poorer quality finished product. Additionally, pans that lack a non-stick surface are more difficult to clean.
No Handles
A poorer quality lasagna pan will be devoid of handles, which can make it difficult to handle. As we mentioned above, lasagna can be a heavy dish, which can make the pan cumbersome and difficult to handle. This could result in difficulties – and even present a dangerous situation – when you are trying to remove the pan from the oven. Handles are the ideal option; however, a pan that has edges that offer a lip, so to speak, will also suffice, and make it easier to remove the pan from the oven.
Best Lasagna Pans in 2023
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Now that you know what makes for a good quality lasagna pan and what makes for a poor quality pan, we wanted to dedicate a section of this review sharing what we found to be the best lasagna pan options. We spent a lot of time looking through all of the products that are currently available on the market, keeping the traits that make for a high-quality pan, as well as the traits that make for a poorer quality pan, in mind.
We found several pans that fit the bill for high-quality options, but we wanted to dig even deeper. With that said, we also compared the reviews that users shared about the pans we found, and we went ahead and tested out several pans ourselves.
After our thorough assessment, we determined that the following five lasagna pans are the absolute best of the best available on the market today.
All Clad 59946 Stainless Steel Lasagna Pan with Lid
All Clad is a highly regarded company in the bakeware industry. Their products are renowned for yielding exceptional results, and their 59946 Stainless Steel Lasagna Pan with Lid certainly lives up to the All Clad name – and exceeded our expectations.
First and foremost, we were impressed by the appearance of this pan It has a satin stainless steel exterior, complete with durable handles for easy handling. It also comes with a sleek black lid that can be popped right on top of the pan, allowing you to easily transport your lasagna, or store any leftovers in the refrigerator without having to switch out pans.
The single ply stainless steel construction with a thick aluminum warp resistant base means that this pan is extremely durable and will last you a long time. Additionally, this construction allows for fast and even heating, which means a better quality lasagna.
The 18/10 stainless steel surface is exceptionally stick resistant, which means that you wouldn’t have to worry about your food becoming stuck to the pan, and it also makes for easier cleanup. Another plus to the construction; the acidity of the tomato sauce (or any other acidic ingredients that you may use in it,) won’t damage the pan, which also increases its lifespan.
This lasagna pan is 12 inches by 15 inches by 2 ¾ inches in size, which gives you plenty of room to make the deepest dishes of lasagna. It is also both oven and broiler safe to temperatures of up to 600 degrees F (without the lid.) Toss it in the dishwasher when you’re done for the easiest cleanup. With a lifetime limited warranty, you will have confidence knowing that you are buying a high quality lasagna pan.
Chicago Metallic 26783 Lasagna Trio Pan
The award winning 26783 Lasagna Trio Pan from Chicago Metallic is sure to impress you and your dinner guests Offering a totally unique design, which features three completely separate deep channels, you will have a pan that is truly versatile when you choose this Chicago Metallic pan to make your lasagna in.
Each of the three channels are deep enough to hold a deep lasagna, which is a definite plus. They are also long enough so that you won’t have to worry about cutting your lasagna noodles, thus improving the outcome of your finished product. Each of the three compartments are coated with a non stick material, which allows for easier removal of the items you are cooking, and also makes for easier cleaning. Plus, because there are three separate channels, you will truly have a lot of versatility with this pan. You could make the same recipe and fill all three channels with it; you could make three different lasagna recipes; or, you could use the pan to make different dishes at the same time. For example, you could use it to make a lasagna in one compartment, a bread in another compartment and a cake in the third compartment. Talk about a flexible pan!
This compartments in this lasagna pan are 11 ½ inches long by 2 ½ inches deep, allowing you to easily fit your lasagna noodles inside. And, when you are all done with using the pan to cook with, clean up with be a breeze. That’s because the Chicago Metallic 26783 Lasagna Trio Pan is dishwasher safe.
All Clad 00830 Stainless Steel Lasagna Pan with 2 Oven Mitts
The All Class 00830 Stainless Steel Lasagna Pan is a highly versatile pan that can be used to make everything from lasagna to small roasts and casseroles, or anything else that you would like. Constructed of single ply polished stainless steel, and a bottom that is made from thick, warp resistant aluminum, you can be sure that anything you cook in this pan will cook evenly and heat quickly.
The highly polished 18/10 stainless steel cooking surface is highly resistant to sticking, which will ensure whatever you are cooking – whether it is a lasagna or a casserole – will not stick to the interior. It also helps to prevent burning and makes cleaning a whole lot easier. Additionally, the stainless steel construction won’t react with food, which means that you don’t have to worry about any acidic ingredients that you may be cooking damaging the pan.
With stainless steel handles, which are attached to the sides with stainless steel rivets, you can be sure that you will have the easiest time handling this pan. Grab the handles for easy removal from your hot oven and transportation to your table. The smooth surface also will not mar whatever surface you plan to place the pan on.
Measuring 12 inches by 15 inches by 2 ¾ inches, the All Clad 00830 Stainless Steel Lasagna Pan offers plenty of space for your deep dish lasagnas, casseroles and large roasts. Plus, it comes complete with two All Clad signature oven mitts, which will protect your hands while you are handling the pan.
Baker’s Edge Simple Lasagna Pan
The unique design of this Baker’s Edge Simple Lasagna Pan is exactly why we chose it as one of our top picks for the best lasagna pan. It offers four compartments, which are interconnected, allowing you to make a neat lasagna; however, because the chambers are continuous and flow into one another, the sauces will flow together, allowing for the best possible taste.
Constructed of hard anodized cast aluminum, which is coated with a layer of non stick material, your ingredients will not stick to the surface of the pan. This ensures that your lasagnas will not burn, and also makes for easier clean up. The two handles on either end of the pan allow for easy handling, which means that you don’t have to worry about struggling when you are trying to remove the pan from your hot oven and place it on your table.
The chambers of the pan are wide and deep, offering plenty of space for your lasagna noodles, and all of your ingredients. Thanks to the unique design, the heat circulates evenly throughout the dish, ensuring that it is properly cooked, and providing the best possible finished product.
Cuisinart 6117 14 Chef’s Classic Non Stick Hard Anodized 14 Inch Lasagna Pan
Constructed of hard anodized material, you can be sure that this Cuisinart Lasagna Pan will be able to withstand the high temperatures of your oven; it won’t warp, bend, dent or otherwise become damaged. This not only ensures that the pan will have a long lifetime, but it also ensures that it will turn out the best possible dish.
The Quantanium Non Stick Premium Cooking Surface prevents ingredients from sticking to the surface of this pan. As a result, you don’t have to worry about having a caked on mess that is difficult to clean. Plus, you don’t have to worry about increasing the chances of having your lasagna – or anything else that you may be cooking in the pan – burning and sticking to the surface.
This pan has two riveted comfortable stainless steel side handles. Thanks to the riveted design, the handles are securely attached to the pan, which prevents them from loosening and pulling apart from the sides, thus ensuring you will have the most stable surface to hold onto while you are handling it. Large enough to accommodate even the deepest lasagna recipes, you can be sure that you will have excellent results when you cook your lasagna in the Cuisinart 6117 14 Chef’s Classic Non-Stick Hard Anodized 14 Inch Lasagna Pan.
Our Consumer Guide to Lasagna Pan
We are very confident in the pans the lasagna pans that we have selected in this buyer’s guide; however, we are always aware that the pans that we did select may not meet your specific needs. As a result, you may be looking for another option. With that said, we have decided to include this Consumer Guide section of this buyer’s guide.
In this portion of our buyer’s guide, you will find even more information that will help you find the best possible lasagna pan to meet your specific needs. After reading this section – and everything else that we have included in this buyer’s guide – we are confident that you will be able to find the very best lasagna pan to suit your needs.
Types of Lasagna Pans
To start with, we want you to be aware that while all lasagna pans are designed to be used to prepare lasagna, the manner in which they differ is the material that they are constructed out of. Each material offers a different advantage.
The Glass Lasagna Pan
Glass lasagna pans distribute heat more evenly, which will ensure that your lasagna will be heated all the way through and will have a consistent heat throughout. Glass also retains heat for longer, which means that this type of pan will stay warmer for a longer period of time when you remove it from the oven, thus allowing your lasagna to stay warmer for longer periods of time. You also don’t have to worry about any roughness on the outside exterior, which could potentially damage the surface that you plan on placing the pan on. On the downside, glass is a poor conductor of heat, which means that it will take a little bit longer for your lasagna to cook in a glass pan.
The Metal Lasagna Pan
The primary advantage of a metal lasagna pan is that it will heat your food up faster than glass. That’s because metal is a much better conductor of heat than glass. Like glass, they also allow for even heating. However, on the downside, the metal may react with certain ingredients, such as the acidity in tomato sauce. This could potentially damage the pan, and it could lead to a displeasing metallic flavor in the foods that you are cooking in the pan.
The Stoneware Lasagna Pan
Another option is the stoneware lasagna pan. Stoneware is a very good conductor of heat, and it also heats evenly, so your lasagna will not only cook quickly, but it will also cook evenly. Additionally, stoneware allows for better crisping, which makes this material an ideal choice if you enjoy crispier noodles. On the downside, stoneware can be difficult to clean, as the ingredients can become entrapped in the porous nature of the stone. Additionally, stoneware can stain, for the same reason as to why it can be difficult to clean. To ensure the best results, look for a stoneware lasagna pan that offers a smooth, glossy finish on the interior sides and bottom of the pan, as this will provide better non-stick protection, making the pan easier to clean and resulting in less staining.
