Pasta is a staple food for many and can make for a quick, easy, and delicious meal. However, pasta has a tendency to dry out and lose its fresh, homemade taste if left to sit for too long after cooking. No one wants to eat mushy or dried out pasta! Luckily, with a few simple tricks, you can keep pasta tasting fresh for hours after cooking it.
Should you rinse pasta after cooking?
Many people think rinsing pasta after cooking will help stop it from getting sticky or mushy when storing leftovers. However, this is not recommended! Rinsing pasta washes away much of the starch on the outside of the noodles. This starch helps hold sauces onto the pasta. Rinsing also cools down and stops the cooking process too quickly, preventing the pasta from finishing cooking.
For best results, drain cooked pasta well in a colander but do not rinse it. The small amount of hot water left clinging to the noodles will help continue steaming and cooking the pasta for a short time. This allows the noodles to fully develop their texture.
Store pasta like Italians
Italians have perfected the techniques for making and storing delicious homemade pasta. An Italian method for keeping leftover pasta fresh is to toss it with a bit of olive oil right after draining. The oil coats and separates the noodles, preventing them from sticking together and getting mushy. Use about 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil per serving of pasta.
Keep pasta warm
Allowing pasta to cool down too quickly is one of the biggest reasons it loses that fresh, hot taste. Keep pasta warm after cooking by transferring it to an oven-safe dish, drizzling with a bit of sauce or oil, and placing in a low temperature oven (around 170°F) until ready to serve. This keeps it from drying out.
Reserve some pasta water
The starchy pasta water used during cooking is flavorful and helps bind pasta to sauces. Save about 1/2 cup pasta water before draining. When reheating leftover pasta, add a splash of the starchy water. This keeps noodles moist and helps them reheat evenly.
Undercook pasta slightly
Cooking pasta just until al dente, or slightly underdone, allows it to continue hydrating and softening even after draining. Slightly undercooked pasta will hold its shape and texture better for later reheating. Be careful not to undercook too much though or the middle will remain hard and crunchy.
Rinse with cool water
For certain delicate pastas like ravioli, rinsing briefly with cool water can help stop the cooking process so they don’t get mushy. Remove ravioli from the pot just before they are done cooking and place briefly under running cool water to bring their temperature down. Be careful not to over-chill them though or they might stick together.
Coat noodles in sauce
Leftover sauce is a great way to keep cooked pasta moist. Mix some sauce in with the hot pasta right after draining. The sauce adds flavor and forms a protective coating to prevent noodles from drying out. Tomato-based, cream, pesto, and cheesy sauces all work well.
Use an airtight storage container
Prevent your pasta from drying out by storing it in an airtight glass or plastic food storage container instead of uncovered or loosely covered. Make sure the container has a tight sealing lid to lock in moisture and prevent the pasta from absorbing fridge odors.
Store pasta in fridge, not freezer
Refrigeration is the best way to store leftover pasta short-term. Freezing cooked pasta can make it mushy once thawed. Place the pasta in the fridge within 1-2 hours of cooking. Cold temperatures will slow down the development of starch crystals that make pasta sticky.
Add a moist paper towel
Here’s a neat trick to keep leftover pasta fresh in the fridge: place a damp paper towel in the storage container before adding the pasta. The moist towel helps create a humid environment and prevents drying. Make sure the towel is clean and use plastic wrap or foil between it and the pasta to prevent contamination.
Use smaller storage containers
Storing pasta in shallow, wide containers maximizes surface area and allows for quicker cooling in the refrigerator. This is better than cramming a large quantity into a deep, narrow container. Smaller portions will also reheat more evenly later on.
Toss with a little butter
Like olive oil, butter can prevent pasta from sticking together by lubricating the noodles. After draining, add a pat of butter and toss to coat the pasta. The fat in the butter helps repel water and creates a protective barrier against fridge odors. Butter also adds great flavor!
Conclusion
Storing leftovers is all about preventing moisture loss and keeping foods at safe temperatures. With proper storage methods, such as airtight containers and constant refrigeration, pasta can stay fresh tasting for hours after cooking. The keys are controlling temperature, limiting air exposure, and adding moisture-locking ingredients like oil or sauce. Using these pasta storage tricks will keep those delicious leftovers from ending up in the trash!
Some Frequently Asked Questions
Why does pasta get sticky or mushy when stored?
Pasta tends to get sticky and mushy during storage due to a process called retrogradation. This occurs when the starch molecules in the pasta begin realigning themselves and forming crystals. The crystals leach out moisture from the pasta, causing it to dry out. Using an airtight container prevents moisture loss. Acidic sauces also slow down retrogradation.
Should you add oil to the pasta cooking water?
Adding oil to the pasta cooking water is not recommended as it can prevent sauce from sticking to the pasta later on. A small amount of oil should only be added after the pasta is drained when tossing it to prevent sticking during storage.
How long does leftover pasta last in the fridge?
Cooked pasta that has been promptly refrigerated will keep for 3 to 5 days in the fridge before quality starts to decline. To maximize freshness, pasta should be eaten within 3 days. Make sure to reheat it thoroughly before eating.
Should pasta be stored dry or moist?
Pasta should be stored moist, not dry, to retain freshness. Leaving cooked pasta out to dry out before storage will cause it to become brittle and stale tasting. For best results, toss cooked pasta with a bit of sauce or olive oil before placing in a covered container in the fridge.
Does pasta need to be covered when stored?
Yes, pasta should always be kept covered during storage. An airtight container with a properly sealing lid helps prevent moisture loss and keeps fridge odors from seeping in. Plastic wrap or foil can also be used to cover pasta storage containers or dishes. Uncovered pasta will quickly dry out.
How do you reheat leftover pasta?
The best ways to reheat leftover pasta are to place it in a saucepan with a splash of water or sauce and reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Microwaving is fast but can make the pasta rubbery. Oven heating works well too but takes longer. Stir frequently while reheating to distribute moisture evenly.
