STOUFFER'S® Frequently Asked Questions

We are always striving to ensure excellence in our recipes. Our Culinary Team continually evaluates all of our products to meet our consumer expectations, as well as ours, when it comes to quality and taste.

We understand that sodium and nutrition matter, and we want to help you make the choice that's right for you and your family. STOUFFER'S meals are thoughtfully crafted with quality ingredients, and sodium content does vary by product and serving size. Always check the product label for the most current, accurate nutrition, ingredient, and allergen information. You can browse the full portfolio and compare nutritional information on the STOUFFER'S products page. If you have specific dietary needs or health questions, we encourage you to review the label and consult with a healthcare professional — and our consumer care team is always happy to help you find a product that fits.

STOUFFER'S does offer some vegetarian options, including our Macaroni & Cheese and Spinach Soufflé. Most STOUFFER'S products contain dairy — many of our signature dishes are built around real cheese and creamy sauces. All of our products also contain wheat-based pasta or other wheat ingredients, making them unsuitable for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. Always check the product label for the most accurate nutrition, ingredient, and allergen information. For a full look at what's available, visit the STOUFFER'S products page or check the label on your specific meal.

STOUFFER'S primarily relies on freezing as its method of preservation, the freezer does the work of keeping our meals flavorful, which is why you'll find no preservatives in products like our Lasagna with Meat & Sauce. STOUFFER'S products do not contain MSG. Visit the individual STOUFFER'S product page for the most current product ingredient information. If you have a specific ingredient question, reach out to our consumer care team.

Great question — they're two distinct recipes, each with its own personality. STOUFFER'S Lasagna with Meat & Sauce is our classic, built around 100% beef in a hearty herb-seasoned tomato sauce with real mozzarella cheese and freshly made pasta — the one that has made us America's #1 selling frozen lasagna. Lasagna Italiano is a different take on the classic, featuring a seasoned meat sauce with ricotta cheese for a creamier, more Italian-style flavor profile. Both are crowd-pleasers at the dinner table, but if you're feeding a group and want something with a bolder, richer cheese layer, Lasagna Italiano is a wonderful choice. To explore both and find the right fit for your occasion, visit the STOUFFER'S lasagna page.

Yes — always real cheese, and that's non-negotiable for us. Our mac and cheese is made with freshly made pasta in a real cheddar cheese sauce, which is the heart of what makes it taste the way it does. The creaminess comes down to the quality of the cheese, the ratio of sauce to pasta, and the care that goes into how we build each recipe. We've been perfecting this since 1924, and it's why STOUFFER'S is America's #1 selling frozen mac and cheese. Whether you're going for the For One single-serve on a cozy solo night or the Party Size to feed a crowd, the same commitment to quality ingredients is in every tray.

We believe hard-working people deserve to feel loved and cared for — and that means having a STOUFFER'S for every table, no matter the size of the gathering. Our lineup is built around occasion: For One single-serve classics are perfect for solo nights when dinner should feel like a joyful moment, not a chore. Large Size gives you a little more of what you love. Family Size (around 4–5 servings) is our go-to for weeknight dinners when the whole household is gathered around the table. Large Family Size (around 6–7 servings) grows right along with you. And Party Size (10+ servings) is what you reach for when guests are coming and you want everyone to leave happy and satisfied. Browse the full lineup at goodnes.com/stouffers/products/ to find the right fit for your occasion.

When the clock strikes dinner and a crowd is counting on you, STOUFFER'S Party Size and Family Size are your best friends. Our Party Size Lasagna with Meat & Sauce serves about 11 people and is always a crowd-pleaser — it's the kind of dish that gets everyone together around the table. Our Party Size Macaroni & Cheese serves around 10 and goes with just about everything, making it perfect as a hearty side for potlucks, holiday gatherings, game days, and casual dinner parties. Chicken Enchiladas, Spaghetti and Meatballs, and Stuffed Peppers also come in family and party sizes that are easy to transport and serve. Browse the full Party Size lineup to find the right fit for your occasion — and spend more time in the moment than in the kitchen.

STOUFFER'S Spinach Soufflé is one of our most beloved classics — a single-serve dish made with chopped spinach baked with skim milk and eggs into a light, savory soufflé. It's delicious on its own, makes a wonderful side dish for a holiday spread, and has earned a genuinely devoted following over the years. Yes, it's still available! You can find it and check retailers near you on the STOUFFER'S Spinach Soufflé product page. If you're having trouble locating it at your local store, try our store locator or reach out to our consumer care team for help.

A cold center almost always means the lasagna just needs a little more time, not more heat. The most reliable fix is to continue cooking in 5-minute increments, checking the internal temperature each time until it reaches 165°F throughout. In a conventional oven, make sure you preheated fully before the tray went in, and place the tray on the center rack so heat can circulate evenly. Covering the tray loosely with foil during the first part of cooking can help the center heat through before the top over-browns and then remove the foil for the last 10–15 minutes to let the cheese get that golden finish you're after. For the most accurate cook times for your specific product, visit your STOUFFER'S product page for complete preparation instructions.

Some moisture release is completely normal as the lasagna heats and the sauce comes to temperature, that's actually part of what gives it that rich, saucy quality you love. Excessive wateriness is usually a sign that the cooking temperature was too low, that the product was thawed before cooking when it's designed to cook from frozen, or that the oven wasn't fully preheated. Always prepare STOUFFER'S lasagna from a frozen state unless the package specifies otherwise, preheat your oven completely before placing the tray inside, and follow the package instructions for any foil or film adjustments. If you've already cooked it and it looks too wet, letting it stand uncovered for 3–5 minutes after removing from the oven gives the sauce time to settle and thicken slightly. For full preparation tips, visit your STOUFFER'S lasagna product page for specific timing and temperature guidance.

Always check the film instructions on your specific package first, different STOUFFER'S products have different requirements, and the packaging will always have the most accurate guidance. For most products, you'll leave the film on during cooking but vent it: use a fork or the tip of a knife to make two or three small slits in the center of the film before placing the tray in the oven or microwave. This lets steam escape while keeping moisture inside the meal as it cooks. Some products ask you to remove the film entirely before microwaving, and others direct you to pull it back partway. Never skip this step — an unvented film can trap steam, cause uneven cooking, and in a microwave, can balloon and burst. Your package is always the definitive guide, so give it a quick read before you get cooking.

Graininess and sauce separation in mac and cheese are almost always caused by overcooking or cooking too quickly, high heat causes the fat to break away from the cheese proteins, giving you a grainy or oily texture instead of that signature creamy finish. To get the best results, follow the package instructions closely. If you're microwaving, use the 50% power setting (or power level 5) as directed, and always allow the standing time at the end, that rest period lets the sauce stabilize and come together beautifully. If you're baking in the oven, avoid exceeding the recommended temperature. Covering the tray as directed during part of the cooking time also helps keep moisture in and prevents the top from drying out before the center has heated through. For complete oven baking instructions, visit the STOUFFER'S mac and cheese product page.

Please don't skip this step, it's one of the most important parts of the whole process! Microwave heat cooks food unevenly, creating pockets of very hot and cooler areas throughout the dish. During the standing period, heat redistributes throughout the meal, finishing the cooking process and bringing everything to a safe, even internal temperature of 165°F. For cheese-based dishes like our mac and cheese or lasagna, standing time also lets the sauce stabilize so it's creamier and less likely to separate when you dig in. The packaging for your specific meal will tell you exactly how long to let it stand — it's usually 1–3 minutes, and it is absolutely worth the wait.

The most complete and accurate cooking instructions for every STOUFFER'S meal live right on the packaging — and we always recommend following those directions for the best results, since cook times are tested specifically for each product and size. You can also find detailed instructions on individual product pages at goodnes.com/stouffers. If you're looking for a particular entrée, use our product finder to navigate the full lineup — from For One single-serve classics to Party Size crowd-pleasers. Still can't find what you need? Our consumer care team is always glad to help.

It depends on the product! For STOUFFER'S French Bread Pizza, partial microwave cooking followed by air fryer finishing can deliver a great crispy result — check your package for guidance. For larger tray-based entrees like our lasagna or mac and cheese cheese, we recommend sticking with the oven or microwave instructions on the package, as those products are not designed for air fryer cooking. When in doubt, the package is always your best guide.

Always check the preparation instructions on the package for recommended preparation methods. For our meals in oven-safe trays, it is important that heat circulate around all edges of the trays. To cook properly, the trays should not touch each other or the side of the oven walls. Rotate each tray halfway through the required cooking time.

STOUFFER'S lasagna is not ready to eat and requires cooking before eating. Follow the cooking instructions on the package or on our website.

Always follow the on-pack cooking instructions. Raising the oven temperature doesn't just speed things up — it changes how heat moves through the dish. The outside and top layers cook faster than the center, leaving you with an overcooked, dried-out or burnt top and a center that's still cold. For layered dishes like lasagna, it can also cause the sauce to boil over the sides of the tray. The temperatures on our packages are specifically tested by our culinary team to get you the best results. A properly preheated oven at the right temperature, with the full cooking time, is genuinely the fastest path to a delicious meal. If you're cooking multiple items at once, visit our Preparation FAQ for tips on adjusting time without adjusting temperature

STOUFFER'S lasagna is designed and tested to be cooked from a frozen state. Starting from frozen means the lasagna cooks more gradually and evenly, which helps the sauce stay rich and the layers hold together just the way they should. Party Size items are the exception — those may be thawed under refrigeration and then prepared, with a reduced cooking time. Whether you're cooking from frozen or thawed, always follow the on-pack cooking instructions and verify the internal temperature reaches 165°F before serving. As for taste: most of our fans find that oven-cooked lasagna has a richer, more developed flavor than microwaved — the dry oven heat helps concentrate the sauce and adds a beautiful texture to the top layer. For complete preparation instructions for your specific size, visit your STOUFFER'S lasagna product page.

The plastic trays used in STOUFFER'S meals are designed and tested to be safe for cooking food, and meet all applicable FDA standards for food contact materials. For the most up-to-date information on our packaging materials and our broader commitments, visit Nestlé USA's sustainability and packaging page. If you have a specific packaging concern, our consumer care team is always happy to help.

The tray should not be reused. It was not designed as a reusable container.

Plastic Trays: Our trays now contain 25% recycled plastic and no longer use black pigment, making them easier to recycle. Be sure to check with your local recycling program to confirm if these trays are accepted.  

Aluminum Trays: This package is recyclable where suitable recycling programs exist. Recycling programs for aluminum packaging may not exist in your area.

Paperboard: The paperboard outer carton is recyclable. Our single-serve trays have changed from a plastic tray to a paper tray to cut down on plastic usage by 90%. However, the pressed paper trays used in our multi-serve meals and select single-serve meals are not yet recyclable. Please continue to check on-pack for the most up-to-date recyclability status.

We'd love to hear from you! Whether you have a question about a product, want to share some feedback, or are searching for a new favorite meal, our consumer care team is ready to help. Reach us directly using our STOUFFER'S contact us page or call/text us at 800.225.1180. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news, or sign up for our newsletter to get comfort delivered right to your inbox.

One of the things our fans love most is that a STOUFFER'S entrée is always the warm, satisfying center of a great dinner — and it only takes a few simple additions to make it feel like a full spread. Pair our lasagna with a crisp green salad and some warm garlic bread for an Italian-night experience that feels completely homemade. Serve our mac and cheese alongside grilled chicken, pulled pork, or a simple broccoli side for a heartier plate. Our Stuffed Peppers are wonderful with a side of rice or steamed vegetables. You can also explore our STOUFFER'S Sides — scalloped potatoes, broccoli cheddar pasta bake, cheesy rice and beans, and more — to round out any entrée with practically no extra effort. For creative recipe ideas and serving inspiration, browse our STOUFFER'S recipes page

STOUFFER'S has been bringing a taste of comfort to the table since 1924 — over 100 years of warmth, tradition, and food that genuinely brings people together. It started when Mahala and Abraham Stouffer opened a small lunch counter in Cleveland, serving fresh food made with care. That tradition of quality carried forward through restaurants, hotels, and eventually the frozen entrées that have become a staple in American homes. What sets us apart is simple: we use real ingredients — 100% real cheese, freshly made pasta hand layered right here in Cleveland, Ohio, and 2x the meat of the leading meat sauce lasagna — and we've never relied on artificial preservatives to keep our food tasting great. We're America's #1 selling frozen lasagna and #1 selling frozen mac and cheese, and we're proud of that — but what we're most proud of is that for so many families, STOUFFER'S means warmth, comfort, and the feeling of everybody sitting around the table together. Learn more about our story.

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