Why Lasagna Typically Tastes Better The Next Day

It's no secret that some foods taste better as leftovers than eaten fresh. Lasagna in particular can often be greatly improved by spending the night in the fridge. But why? What makes lasagna taste so much better the day after it's made? Believe it or not, there's an actual explanation for it.

The science behind why lasagna and some other foods often taste better as leftovers is simple. While they're sitting in the refrigerator, all the ingredients are effectively marinating in their container. The flavors from different components can then begin to meld and even seem to grow stronger. At the same time, acids in the food can break everything down and make the meal more tender, while sodium draws out moisture that the food then reabsorbs, boosting flavor and texture. In addition, a lasagna firms up when it cools, so with lasagna leftovers you are more likely to avoid a sloppy dish that falls apart when you cut into it.

So, the next time you want a lasagna to really shine, consider leaving at least some of it in the fridge for a night instead of serving it right away. As long as you manage to avoid cold spots when microwaving your food, you might just find that the extra time to marinate and set makes it even better than it would have been otherwise.

Lasagna isn't the only food that can taste better when served as leftovers. Pizza, other types of pasta (especially with hearty Bolognese sauce), and meatloaf are all examples of foods that benefit from a night in the fridge. In particular, cold pizza leftovers for breakfast are widely considered the perfect start to the morning, perhaps after a fun night. Soups and stews can also taste better as leftovers than fresh since the liquids have extra time to absorb into the meat and vegetables, and other flavors can likewise harmonize.

Of course, any leftovers can taste fantastic when they're used to make something new. For example, leftover steak can be repurposed into a great steak pizzaiola when smothered with rich tomato stew. And leftover lasagna can be used to enhance a salad, make toppings for nacho chips, or even create a succulent hybrid of lasagna and grilled cheese by using the leftover lasagna in place of (or even better, in addition to) cheese.

Not every food works well as leftovers, though. Some foods that are better fresh include white rice, starchy veggies like potatoes, spinach, and eggs, all of which can lose significant flavor and texture sitting in the fridge. While you still have to account for individual taste, it's probably better to make them in small batches to avoid having to choose between wasting food or forcing down an unpleasant meal.