Lasagna is a beloved classic in both Italian and Italian-American cuisine, and it’s easy to see why. This saucy, cheesy, pasta-filled casserole is incredibly satisfying when made right and typically big enough to feed a crowd. Variations abound depending on where you’re from—American lasagna, for example, often swaps the traditional béchamel for ricotta cheese. No matter the style, lasagna follows a simple formula: noodles, filling, cheese, and repeat.
However, unless you have an Italian grandma—or are an Italian grandma—finding a great lasagna outside of a restaurant can be a challenge. That’s where the freezer aisle steps in to save the day. Thanks to the wonders of frozen food, you can have a hot, flavorful lasagna on your table in under an hour. But not all frozen lasagnas are created equal; some deliver layers of perfection, while others miss the mark entirely. That’s why I ventured through the grocery stores of America to find the best frozen lasagna worthy of your plate.
I tested seven frozen lasagnas from Giant, Trader Joe's, and Whole Foods to help you decide which one deserves a spot on your plate. Each lasagna was prepared exactly as instructed on the packaging and evaluated based on three key criteria: taste, appearance, and ease of preparation. To come out on top, a lasagna had to taste great, look appetizing, and be simple to cook.
Here’s how each brand measured up, ranked from my least favorite to the absolute best. Let’s dig in—Andiamo!
The Best-Tasting Frozen Lasagnas
Cali'flour Hearty Vegetable Keto Lasagna
Nutrition (Per serving):
- Calories: 220
- Fat: 11 g (Saturated Fat: 6 g)
- Sodium: 290 mg
- Carbs: 15 g (Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 11 g)
- Protein: 14 g
Cali'flour specializes in better-for-you comfort foods designed to meet various dietary needs, including keto, which typically avoids carb-heavy dishes like lasagna. Their keto-friendly vegetable lasagna, made with cauliflower pasta, costs $5.99 for a nine-ounce package at Whole Foods.
The Prep:
The instructions are straightforward and oven-free: cut two slits in the plastic film and microwave on high for five minutes. However, following these directions left the lasagna cold in the center. For better results, I’d recommend microwaving for 7 minutes and 30 seconds.
The Look:
Picture a perfect lasagna: golden brown edges, bubbling cheese, and neatly layered sauce and pasta spilling onto your plate with every forkful. Now, erase that image. What you get here looks far from appetizing and lacks the visual appeal of a classic lasagna.
The Taste:
My first bite was ice cold, reinforcing the need to cook this longer than instructed. Once reheated, the vegetables were mushy and slightly bitter, the sauce overly salty, and the cauliflower noodles disintegrated into a mushy mess. Worst of all, the lasagna lacked the structured layers that define this dish. Instead, the components felt haphazardly thrown together, more like a bowl of pasta than a true lasagna. Without those distinct layers, the balance and harmony of flavors in each bite were missing—a disappointing experience all around.
Cali'flour Lasagna With Meat Sauce
Nutrition (Per serving):
- Calories: 280
- Fat: 17 g (Saturated Fat: 9 g)
- Sodium: 440 mg
- Carbs: 14 g (Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 10 g)
- Protein: 19 g
Cali'flour offers a meatier version of their cauliflower pasta lasagna for those craving a low-carb option with added protein. Priced at $5.99 at Whole Foods, this keto-friendly meat lasagna follows the same concept as its veggie counterpart.
The Prep:
The instructions are identical: cut two slits in the plastic film and microwave on high for five minutes. As with the veggie version, this leaves the lasagna cold in the center, so adding extra cooking time is essential.
The Look:
Unfortunately, the visual appeal doesn’t improve with this version. The lasagna features a gray pile of unappealing mystery meat on top, which does little to invite a second glance, let alone a taste.
The Taste:
While not as disappointing as the veggie version, this lasagna still misses the mark. The meat is dry and flavorless, and the dish lacks any real lasagna structure. It feels more like a pile of cauliflower noodles topped with unseasoned beef. While the effort to create a keto-friendly lasagna is commendable, this version doesn’t deliver on flavor or satisfaction.
For keto dieters, this option might technically fit the diet, but it’s far from enjoyable. Some sacrifices must be made for dietary goals, but this lasagna isn’t worth one of them. Unfortunately, Cali'flour’s attempt at a keto-friendly meat lasagna falls flat.
Nature's Promise Organic Cheese Lasagna
Nutrition (Per serving):
- Calories: 490
- Fat: 19 g (Saturated Fat: 6 g)
- Sodium: 95 mg
- Carbs: 63 g (Fiber: 4 g, Sugar: 10 g)
- Protein: 18 g
Now that Cali'flour is out of the picture, let’s move on to something actually edible. Nature’s Promise, a store brand available at Giant Foods and other Ahold Delhaize-owned supermarkets, offers a 10-ounce organic cheese lasagna for $4.79.
The Prep:
This one is refreshingly simple. Preheat your oven to 350°F and bake for 20 minutes. No hassle, no stress. In fact, among non-microwave options, this was the easiest to prepare by far.
The Look:
The sauce has an orangish hue, resembling vodka sauce more than traditional tomato. For a dish advertised as a cheese lasagna, it doesn’t exactly scream "cheesy" at first glance.
The Taste:
Let me preface this by saying I love meat, so I’m inherently biased. For me, a meat lasagna will almost always win out. But for vegetarians or cheese lovers seeking an easy oven meal, this lasagna does the job. The cheese is creamy and flavorful, and the pasta, while slightly overcooked, is acceptable.
The main issue lies in the sauce and structure. What you get is essentially two wide noodles layered with sauce on top and cheese in the middle. That’s not lasagna—it’s a glorified open ravioli. The sauce is rich and creamy, which feels redundant in a dish already dominated by dairy. While it’s not a bad bite, it lacks the balance and cohesiveness you expect from a proper lasagna. It’s fine, but it’s not exceptional.
Michael Angelo's Lasagna With Meat Sauce
Nutrition (Per serving):
- Calories: 390
- Fat: 13 g (Saturated Fat: 6 g)
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Carbs: 46 g (Fiber: 5 g, Sugar: 12 g)
- Protein: 22 g
Michael Angelo's aims to deliver authentic Italian-style frozen meals, inspired by recipes "handed down" from a Sicilian grandma, according to the brand's website. Their 11-ounce lasagna with meat sauce costs $5.29 at Giant.
The Prep:
The recommended 45 minutes at 350°F takes this lasagna a bit too far. The extended cook time left the pasta hard and crispy, especially around the edges. To improve the experience, I suggest reducing the cook time or temperature to avoid overcooking.
The Look:
The presentation is less than appealing. The sides feature hardened, overbaked noodles that look almost air-fried, and the ingredients aren’t evenly distributed, giving the dish an uneven appearance.
The Taste:
The flavor is where this lasagna shines. The sauce is smooth and well-balanced, the meat is nicely seasoned, and the ricotta provides a creamy texture that elevates the dish. Unfortunately, the overcooking undermines the overall experience. The crisped edges and uneven appearance detract from what could be an enjoyable meal.
With a slight adjustment to the cooking instructions, this lasagna has the potential to be a solid choice. As it stands, the taste is fantastic, but the execution leaves room for improvement. Adjust the time or temperature, and you’ve got yourself a satisfying product.
Rao's Meat Lasagna
Nutrition (Per serving):
- Calories: 430
- Fat: 20 g (Saturated Fat: 10 g)
- Sodium: 690 mg
- Carbs: 36 g (Fiber: 5 g, Sugar: 12 g)
- Protein: 27 g
Rao's Specialty Foods brings the flavors of one of New York City’s most exclusive Italian restaurants to your home with take-home classics, including their famed jarred marinara sauce. Their nine-ounce frozen meat lasagna retails for $8.99 at Whole Foods, and as luck would have it, I already had one in my freezer.
The Prep:
The 40-minute cook time proved optimal, delivering a well-cooked entrée overall. While the noodles were slightly overdone, the dish still maintained a smooth, appealing texture.
The Look:
This lasagna veered away from the typical frozen lasagna aesthetic but in a good way. The meat on top spilled enticingly over the sides, and the pocket of cheese nestled in the middle practically invited me to dig in.
The Taste:
The flavor was solid, but not extraordinary. The cheese was good, though not standout; the meat was seasoned adequately but could have been bolder; and the sauce leaned acidic and lacked the touch of sweetness I personally enjoy. While it didn’t wow me, there was nothing to actively criticize either. It’s a safe, satisfying option that delivers on quality without being particularly memorable.
In short, Rao’s lasagna is reliable and enjoyable—perhaps not something to rave about, but certainly nothing to regret.
Stouffer's Lasagna With Meat & Sauce
Nutrition (Per serving):
- Calories: 270
- Fat: 9 g (Saturated Fat: 4.5 g)
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Carbs: 30 g (Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 5 g)
- Protein: 16 g
Stouffer’s was the pioneer of frozen lasagna, so they’ve had plenty of time to perfect their recipe. A generously sized 19-ounce meat lasagna is priced at $5.99 at Giant, offering solid value for the portion size.
The Prep:
This lasagna is simple to prepare. Preheat your oven to 350°F and cook for 48 minutes. While the wait time is a bit long, the result is worth it. Just let it cool for a few minutes after baking, and it will be the perfect temperature to enjoy.
The Look:
This lasagna looks exactly like you’d expect from a classic frozen entrée. The cheese on top is beautifully melted, giving it an inviting, homey appearance that practically begs you to dig in.
The Taste:
This lasagna tastes warm—if that makes sense. It perfectly embodies Stouffer’s slogan, “A taste of comfort.” It’s not going to blow you away with gourmet flavors, but it’s everything you want for a lazy Sunday dinner. Picture a rainy evening spent watching Netflix, and this lasagna fits the vibe perfectly.
While it’s not the best lasagna you’ll ever have, it delivers on its promise of comfort food done right. That said, there’s still one brand that edges it out in terms of flavor and overall experience.
Trader Giotto's Family Style Lasagna
Nutrition (Per serving):
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 14 g (Saturated Fat: 7 g)
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Carbs: 26 g (Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 5 g)
- Protein: 21 g
Trader Joe’s, known for its cult-favorite frozen foods, delivers again with its store-brand "Trader Giotto's" family-style meat lasagna. At just $5.99 for a substantial 32-ounce package, it’s a great value for families or hearty appetites.
The Prep:
As the largest lasagna in this lineup, it understandably has the longest cook time: an hour in the oven at 350°F. Normally, I’d dock points for such a time commitment, but this dish turned out so well that it’s hard to hold the wait against it.
The Look:
This lasagna is picture-perfect. The top bakes to a gorgeous golden brown, and it slices cleanly, maintaining its structure. It looks exactly how a lasagna should—layered, cohesive, and irresistibly inviting.
The Taste:
This lasagna hits all the right notes. The cheese is slightly heavy-handed, but let’s be honest—who’s complaining about extra cheese? The sauce is deliciously acidic and stands out from the others by resembling a real ragù, where the meat and sauce are cooked together as one cohesive layer. This gives the dish a richer, more authentic flavor profile compared to the others, which often separate the meat and sauce.
The noodles are slightly overcooked due to the long baking time, but no one’s expecting al dente perfection from the freezer aisle. What matters is that the pasta holds its integrity, delivering that classic layered bite that makes lasagna so satisfying.
This is what a frozen lasagna should aspire to be—hearty, flavorful, and comforting, with the kind of layered harmony that satisfies every lasagna craving.
When it comes to frozen lasagna, I have to hand it to Trader Giotto's: Bravo!