Pasta that is heated usually becomes mushy, dry, or even contains too much oil. Fortunately, these problems can be avoided with a simple change in the heating process. Learn how to store your leftovers, whether it's plain noodles or cream sauce that breaks easily.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Reheating Plain Pasta
Step 1. Boil the water
Add enough water to completely cover the noodles, but don't put the noodles in the pot just yet. Wait until the water boils.
You can also use the method below, but it's the fastest and the best for pasta without sauce
Step 2. Transfer the pasta to a metal colander
Choose a metal strainer that fits your pan. Ideally, look for a strainer with a long handle for easy handling.
Step 3. Put the pasta in boiling water
Most pasta will only take about thirty seconds to come back fresh. Remove the strainer and try the oil. If it's not ready, return it to the water. Pick it up and try again every 15 seconds.
If your strainer doesn't have a long handle, or if you don't have oven mitts, put the strainer in a bowl and pour hot water over it
Method 2 of 5: Heating Pasta in the Oven
Step 1. Preheat the oven
Set the oven temperature to 350ºF (175ºC) and wait for it to heat up. This method is fine for pasta and sauces, but may not be practical if you only want to make one serving of pasta.
Step 2. Add the pasta to the grill pan
Spread the pasta on a shallow plate. Pasta that is piled high will not heat evenly.
If the pasta gets dry, add a little extra milk or sauce to keep it moist. This method is especially important for lasagna
Step 3. Cover with foil and bake
The pasta will be done in 20 minutes, but check after 15 minutes just in case. This foil will help retain moisture, thereby slowing down the drying process of the pasta.
Alternatively, add a sprinkling of Parmesan under the foil. Do this 5 minutes before the pasta finishes baking
Step 4. Check the paste
Insert a metal fork into the center of the pasta and wait 10 to 15 seconds. If the tip of the fork is hot to the touch, the pasta is ready. If not, return the pasta to the oven.
Method 3 of 5: Heating Pasta on the Stove
Step 1. Fry the pasta in a saucepan on the stove over medium-low heat
This is the easiest way to warm pasta. Add melted butter or oil to a frying pan, add pasta, and turn on the stove. Stir frequently.
Add more sauce if the pasta looks dry
Step 2. Heat the cream and wine sauce over low heat
This easy-to-break/separate sauce should be heated over very low heat. To reduce the risk of the sauce "breaking up", see the cream sauce method below.
Step 3. Fry the lasagna
Cut them into small pieces and put them in the frying pan with the cut side down. Turn frequently and heat each side of the piece until crispy.
Method 4 of 5: Heating the Pasta in the Microwave
Step 1. Use the microwave for only one serving
The microwave heats up unevenly, especially if the pasta dish contains cheese and vegetables. When heating large portions, use the oven for greater control.
Avoid using the microwave for cream sauces, wine and butter sauces, or other sauces that break apart easily
Step 2. Toss pasta with sauce or oil
If the pasta already contains sauce, stir gently (just to spread the sauce evenly). If the pasta is plain, add a little sauce or olive oil. This will make the pasta moist.
Step 3. Set the microwave on medium-low power
Microwave on full power will make your pasta mushy. Reduce its power by 50% or lower.
Step 4. Cover the paste
Place the pasta in a microwave-safe box, preferably a round one to avoid uneven heat at the edges of the box. Close it with one of the following methods:
- Cover with plastic wrap, but leave one side open to allow moisture to escape. This will trap the heat, allowing the pasta to heat more evenly.
- Cover with a damp paper towel. This trick will vaporize the pasta as it heats up, so noodles that are dry or have little sauce on them will be more moist and less dry.
Step 5. Heat several times over a short period of time
Heat the pasta for about 1 minute, then check for progress and stir. If needed, continue heating the pasta for 15-30 seconds at a time.
If your microwave doesn't have a rotating table, stop and turn the dish in a semicircle
Method 5 of 5: Heating Cream or Grape Sauce
Step 1. Heat water in the bottom of the double broiler
This is by far the best method for cream-based sauces, such as Alfredo. Indirect heat ensures a more even method that is slower, reducing the chances of the sauce “cracking”/separating.
- You can make your own version of the double broiler using two pans, or one pan and one heat-resistant glass bowl.
- If double broilers are not an option, use the stove method on very low heat.
Step 2. Place the sauce on top of the double broiler pan
If possible, heat the sauce separately, then pour it over the cold pasta or over the hot as described above. If the sauce and pasta mix well, add them to the saucepan together. Let stand until the water starts to boil slightly.
Heating the pasta and sauce together shouldn't be a big problem, but there's a higher risk of the noodles becoming mushy or chewy
Step 3. Add cream or milk to the cream sauce
Cream sauces are easy to “break”/separate due to their “emulsion”, or suspension from fat and water. A little cream or fresh milk can ensure the sauce doesn't split, reducing the chances of the sauce getting too greasy.
Step 4. Add butter or reduced cream or wine sauce
Wine sauce is also an emulsion, but the acidity makes the cream thicken. To avoid this, add a little melted butter. Another option is to use reduced cream, which means heating the cream in a separate saucepan until some of the liquid has evaporated.
Step 5. Heat slowly and stir frequently
The lower the heat, the less likely your sauce will "crack"/separate. Stir gently, to avoid breaking the ingredients. Eat it while the sauce is still hot.
Step 6. Add the egg yolks in a pinch. If the sauce "cracks" on heating, turn off the heat and transfer a few spoonfuls to a bowl
Quickly beat the egg yolks in a bowl until smooth, then transfer the mixture back into the sauce.
- If you heat the pasta along with the sauce, the egg yolk method can get messy. Try using just a little flour to thicken the sauce and remove the oil.
- If you find lumps of hard-boiled eggs while beating, throw the bowl away and try again with less liquid and beat faster. If the lumps are only a few, strain them out and use up the remaining liquid.
Tips
- If you think you'll have leftovers, briefly cook your pasta on the chewy side. If the pasta is already soft or overcooked than before, no heating method can save the texture.
- For the best taste and texture, eat pasta for three days from the day you cooked it.
- Surprisingly, there is some evidence that reheated pasta raises blood sugar slightly more than fresh cooked pasta or cold pasta. Further research is in progress.
Warning
- Do not eat cooked pasta that is more than seven days old, or pasta with a strange odor.
- Be careful, as all bowls and boxes will get hot when you remove them from the microwave.
