Nutritional Information for Lasagna
Lasagna is a layered pasta dish combining white sauce, meat (or vegetable) ragu, cheese, and pasta sheets. From a SpikeSaver perspective, shop-bought lasagnas are a glucose concern — the refined pasta sheets have a high glycaemic index, and most ready meals at Tesco range from 92-176 kcal per 100g with 11-13g of carbohydrates per 100g. Ready-made versions are typically NOVA 3-4 due to the use of emulsifiers, modified starch, flavourings, and preservatives. Homemade lasagna gives you control over ingredients but the pasta component will still cause a glucose spike.
Nutrition per 100g
| Nutrient | Per 100g | Per serving |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 139 kcal / 583 kJ | 556 kcal |
| Protein | 7.7g | 30.8g |
| Carbohydrates | 11.5g | 46g |
| of which sugars | 2.1g | — |
| Fat | 6.6g | 26.4g |
| of which saturated | 3.2g | — |
| Fibre | 1.5g | — |
| Salt | 0.55g | — |
Serving size: 1 individual portion (~400g) · Source: Tesco product page, October 2025
Glucose impact
High
Glucose risk
Lasagna contains 11-13g of carbohydrates per 100g, primarily from refined white pasta sheets which have a high glycaemic index (around 70-75 for white pasta). A full 400g portion delivers 46g of carbohydrates — enough to cause a significant blood sugar spike. The white sauce adds further carbs from flour and milk. The fat and protein content provides some buffering, but this is still a high-GI meal.
Processing level
Shop-bought ready-meal lasagnas at Tesco are typically NOVA 3 (processed) to NOVA 4 (ultra-processed). The standard Tesco Beef Lasagne contains modified maize starch, emulsifiers, flavourings, and other industrial additives that push it firmly into ultra-processed territory. Even the Finest range uses similar processing aids. Only fresh lasagne sheets (just durum wheat and egg) qualify as NOVA 2. Making lasagna from scratch with fresh sheets, real mince, tinned tomatoes, and homemade white sauce would keep it at NOVA 2-3.
Lasagna at Tesco
Source: Tesco product page, October 2025
4 UPF markers
4 UPF markers
2 UPF markers
3 UPF markers
*Prices were correct at the time of collection and may have since changed. Check Tesco.com for current pricing.
What to watch for when shopping
Every ready-made lasagna at Tesco is NOVA 3-4. The standard Tesco Beef Lasagne uses modified maize starch, emulsifiers, and flavourings — classic ultra-processing markers. Even the Finest range is not exempt. The vegetable version is not healthier from a processing standpoint. If you want to avoid UPF markers entirely, buy Tesco Fresh Lasagne Sheets (£1.85, NOVA 2) and make it yourself with real mince, tinned tomatoes, and a homemade bechamel. The calorie-controlled version (102 kcal/100g) is lower in fat but still contains the same industrial additives.
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