The first time I screwed up frozen lasagna, I thought it was just about layering and baking. Simple, right? What came out of my oven was a soggy, bland brick with dry edges and mushy middle. The ricotta was gritty, the noodles were swollen, and the whole thing lacked bite.
Turns out, great frozen lasagna isn’t just a recipe—it’s a system. And Gordon’s approach is a masterclass in controlling moisture, flavor layering, and reheating precision. If you’re making it ahead or pulling it from the freezer, here’s how to do it the Ramsay way—with full flavor, zero sogginess, and real lasagna structure.
Why This Works (And Where Most Go Wrong)
Most people treat frozen lasagna like a casserole with layers. Ramsay treats it like a composed dish that has to survive the freezer and still eat like a fresh bake.
Common mistakes:
- Overcooked noodles that disintegrate after freezing.
- Dry top layers from uneven saucing.
- Low-fat ricotta that turns grainy or watery.
- No resting time, so it collapses when cut.
What makes Gordon’s method different is his layering logic and texture control. The sausage brings fat and flavor, the ricotta mix is balanced with egg and seasoning, and the mozzarella acts like a binding shield throughout.
Ingredients That Actually Matter
- Lasagna noodles (10 oz): Cook them al dente. Any softer and they’ll break down when reheated.
- Olive oil (1 tsp): Prevents sticking after boiling the noodles.
- Ground Italian sausage (1 lb): Brings more flavor than ground beef. Pork fat matters.
- Marinara sauce (24 oz): Use a rich, slightly chunky sauce. Watery sauces kill texture after freezing.
- Full-fat ricotta (3 cups): No substitutions. This is key to a creamy bite.
- Eggs (2): Essential binder for the ricotta layer.
- Dried parsley (2 tbsp): Adds herbaceous lift—don’t skip it.
- Salt (2 tsp) + Black pepper (½ tsp): Season the ricotta mix properly, or it’s bland.
- Mozzarella (1 lb): Layered throughout. Not just for topping—this helps structure.
- Parmesan (½ cup): Grated over the top for that savory finish and browning.
How To Make Gordon Ramsay Frozen Lasagna
Cook the noodles al dente—about 1–2 minutes less than package instructions. Toss with olive oil so they don’t stick. Lay flat on paper towels.
Brown the sausage in a skillet over medium-high heat, crumbling as it cooks. When fully browned, stir in the marinara sauce. Turn off the heat. You want it hot but not watery.
Mix the ricotta filling: In a bowl, whisk together ricotta, eggs, parsley, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
Assemble in an 8×8-inch dish:
- Spread a thin layer of meat sauce at the base.
- Add 3 noodles.
- Spread ¼ of the ricotta mixture.
- Add ¼ of the meat sauce.
- Sprinkle ⅙ of the mozzarella.
Repeat layers until all components are used. Top with remaining mozzarella and all the Parmesan. Wrap tightly if freezing now.
Bake fresh at 175°C (350°F) for 30–40 minutes, uncovered, until bubbling and golden on top. Let rest 15 minutes before cutting.
Freeze for later: Let the uncooked lasagna cool fully. Wrap in two layers—plastic wrap and foil. Label and freeze for up to 3 months.
To bake from frozen: Cover with foil, bake at 175°C (350°F) for 75–90 minutes. Remove foil for the last 15 minutes for browning.
If thawed overnight in the fridge, bake for 55–65 minutes.

What Gordon Ramsay Says About This Dish
“Lasagna should be rich, indulgent, and perfectly layered. Not a wet mess.”
When I first froze lasagna, I ignored moisture. Ramsay’s quote made me rethink how I cooked sausage and drained ricotta.
“Every layer should have its own seasoning—don’t just rely on the top.”
Adding salt and pepper to the ricotta felt like overkill until I tasted the difference. That layer stopped tasting bland.
“Rest it. Let the lasagna settle before slicing. Otherwise, it just falls apart.”
This changed everything. I used to cut too soon—now I let it rest and I get clean, beautiful squares.
What I Got Wrong (And How I Fixed It)
- Mistake: Used low-fat ricotta.
Fix: Switched to full-fat. Game-changer in texture. - Mistake: Overcooked the noodles.
Fix: Cooked 2 minutes under, tossed in oil, and cooled flat. - Mistake: Froze it without cooling completely.
Fix: Let it cool to room temp, then wrapped. No freezer burn since.
Smart Swaps for Different Goals
- Vegetarian: Swap sausage for sautéed mushrooms and spinach (make sure they’re dry).
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free lasagna noodles—but undercook even more.
- Extra cheesy: Add a béchamel layer between the noodles and ricotta (only if eating fresh, not freezing).
Pro Tips That Change the Game
- Layer mozzarella throughout, not just on top. It creates better bite and pull.
- Cool completely before freezing, or condensation ruins the texture.
- Use a glass or ceramic baking dish—it insulates better for freezing and reheating.
- Rest 15 minutes post-bake. The layers re-solidify, giving you perfect slices.
Storage + Leftover Moves
- Fridge: Cool completely, wrap tightly, store up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Wrap in plastic and foil. Good for 3 months.
- Reheat: Cover with foil, bake at 175°C (350°F) for 25–30 minutes (if thawed), 45+ if straight from frozen.
- Leftover Hack: Chop and sauté leftover slices in a skillet for lasagna hash. Add an egg on top.
FAQs
Q: Can I use no-boil noodles?
Yes, but layer with slightly wetter sauce. And only if baking fresh—not ideal for freezing.
Q: Why is my frozen lasagna watery?
You didn’t cool it before freezing, or your ricotta or sauce had too much liquid. Reduce and drain.
Q: What herbs does Gordon use?
Dried parsley in the ricotta. Fresh basil or thyme in the sauce—optional, but a nice lift.
Q: Can I make this in a disposable foil pan?
Yes, but double-line it. Foil pans bend and spill easily.
Q: Can I microwave to reheat?
Not recommended. You’ll get uneven heat and soggy layers.
Try More Recipes:
- Gordon Ramsay Lasagna White Sauce Recipe
- Gordon Ramsay Lasagna Recipe
- Gordon Ramsay Mushroom And Leek Pasta Recipe
Gordon Ramsay Frozen Lasagna Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Easy4
servings30
minutes40
minutes290
kcalHearty, cheesy, and freezer-friendly, this lasagna delivers rich flavor and perfect layers every time—fresh or frozen.
Ingredients
10 oz lasagna noodles
1 tsp olive oil
1 lb Italian sausage
24 oz marinara sauce
3 cups full-fat ricotta
2 large eggs
2 tbsp dried parsley
2 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 lb mozzarella cheese, shredded
½ cup Parmesan cheese
Directions
- Cook noodles al dente, toss in olive oil, and cool flat.
- Brown sausage. Add marinara. Simmer and remove from heat.
- Whisk ricotta, eggs, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- In an 8×8″ dish, layer: sauce, noodles, ricotta, sauce, mozzarella. Repeat 3x. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake fresh at 175°C (350°F) for 30–40 minutes. Let rest 15 minutes.
- Or freeze tightly wrapped. To reheat:
- Thawed: Bake at 175°C for 55–65 mins
- Frozen: Bake covered for 75–90 mins, uncover last 15
Notes
- Layer mozzarella throughout, not just on top. It creates better bite and pull.
- Cool completely before freezing, or condensation ruins the texture.
- Use a glass or ceramic baking dish—it insulates better for freezing and reheating.
- Rest 15 minutes post-bake. The layers re-solidify, giving you perfect slices.