The [BEST] 4 Italian Ways to Reheat Pasta – BELLISSIMO!

Can You Warm Pasta Back up?

What are the correct ways to reheat pasta? It is difficult to rekindle a flame of love for a previously cooked dish, especially if it’s a delicious pasta dish. So let’s look at the best ways to reheat pasta because this versatile food always steps up to the hot plate if redone correctly. 

The Four Ways of Reheating Pasta – Italian Style

The bliss that pasta brings warmth to one’s soul and heats one’s heart but often, our enthusiasm for our beloved pasta overflows and leaves us with the poor substitute of the original experience – leftovers.   

Here are four ways you can reheat pasta with some Italian flair :

Bake it

If you want to put a crisp spin on your old pasta – baking it in the oven can have some delicious results. It’s a great way to add a bit of a crunch, and it also heats the pasta evenly.

Steps

1. Place a baking sheet, silicone liner, or parchment paper onto a baking tray – this prevents the pasta from sticking to the tray, which can be cumbersome to clean. 
2. Spread the leftovers over the tray, ensuring the pasta isn’t too shallow or deep to be heated evenly.
3. Consider adding some cheese on top – mozzarella for a lovely thick and rich texture or a thin layer of cheddar for a bit of extra crispiness.
4. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes.

Puree 

This method is ideal for lasagne or cannelloni as the mixture of the cheeses and sauce complement one another well in a soup. 

Steps 

1. Cut your baked pasta into bite-size pieces. 
2. Place a pot on the stovetop and add one cup of chicken or vegetable broth to a simmer.
3. Add the pasta pieces and stir well, allow to simmer until all the parts have been heated thoroughly.
4. Serve with a side of your favorite oven-baked bread or toast. 

Microwave option (great for work)

Steps

1. Cut up the pieces and place them in a microwave-friendly container.
2. Microwave on medium heat for 20-60 seconds, remove and stir. Heat again for another 30-60 seconds and set aside.
3. Heat the broth in the microwave until it begins to simmer and then combine into a bowl and still well.
4. The warm broth will ensure that the pasta is heated evenly if it has cold pockets.

Steam it

Should you wish to reheat saucy pasta, this method is ideal for reviving its texture and taste.

Steps 

1. Place a frying pan with a tight lid on the stovetop, add a few tablespoons of water, and wait for it to begin simmering. 
2. Add the pasta and close the lid tightly for 30 seconds.
3. Remove the lid, stir the contents and replace the cover for another 30 seconds – repeat the process until it has heated the pasta through. 
4. Remember to continually stir to avoid overcooking the pasta and making the consistency softer than desirable. 

Boil it

If you cooked your pasta separately, then this is the ideal method. However, if you plan to make a lot of pasta and intend to use the leftovers for sure– then portion out the leftover pasta and rinse it under cold water before you refrigerate to avoid it from becoming mushy.

Steps

1. Place a pot of water onto the stovetop and begin to boil it. 
2. Dunk the pasta into the water for 30-60 seconds.
3. If you have a cold sauce to add – pour the water out, add the sauce and warm pasta to the warm pot and mix them until they have been warmed up evenly.

If your pasta has been stored in a ziplock bag and has good moisture or a delicious sauce, you can also place the ziplock bag into the boiling water as a quick and easy way to reheat your meal with the benefit of fewer dishes.

Should You Separate Noodles From Sauce Before Storing it?

The chances of your pasta drying up are higher if it is separated from the sauce, so it is advisable to mix them together before storing them and ensure they are both cool before placing them in a suitable airtight container.

Which Types of Noodles Reheats the Best?

The best types of noodles to use if you plan to reheat your pasta are thicker pasta variations such as penne or rigatoni. Thinner noodles can quickly become soft and mushy when reheated.

How Do You Keep Pasta Moist When Reheating it?

A Tuscan guest house chef once explained to us that when cooking, food must never get lonely. As he explained this to us, he proceeded to pour half a bottle of red wine into the stew that was a bit dry, and the other half we enjoyed while cooking. 

Pasta contains a lot of starch, which absorbs a significant amount of moisture, so the trick is to add moisture to the leftovers and thin out sauces. 

Moisture is vital in the reheating process – too much, and it will become soggy and too little, and it becomes dried out – so the key is to not use excessive heat during the reheating process and to either add a sauce, stock, wine, or water as mentioned in the methods above. 

Also, do not apply heat for too long, or it will also dry out, or the noodles can denature from being overcooked.

How Long Can You Keep Leftover Pasta?

Pasta that has been correctly cooled stored and refrigerated can be kept safely for several days. However, the lifespan of the pasta depends on how it was prepared and whether it was fresh or box pasta.

Try storing your pasta in tight resealable containers or ziplock bags that would last for about four to five days if it’s box pasta and two to three days if it is fresh or homemade pasta. Baked dishes keep the best or dishes that have been cooked in their own sauce.

Freezing leftover pasta can make them last for several months if they are appropriately stored – just reheat them using the above methods after being thoroughly defrosted.

The Proud Italian’s Top Pasta Reheating Tips

Here are few top tips for pasta preparation and reheating on the stove:

• Ensure that your pasta is cooked al-dente as it gives you the best chances of successfully reheating it. 
• Don’t be afraid to change a dish into an “al-forno” dish by topping it with either mozzarella or fontina cheese and placing it into the oven. 
• When reheating lasagne or other creamy baked dishes, prick holes with a toothpick into the lasagne, add a bit of milk to help keep the moisture locked into the pasta, and heat it evenly. 

Microwave Tips

• When using a microwave to reheat pasta dishes, heat them in individual portions as they will heat more evenly.
• Try to use a round bowl as square or rectangle bowls tend to overcook the corners.

The Truth Behind Leftover Food Wastage

Leftovers account for approximately 40% of recorded household food waste. This is a big concern. The main reason behind discarding leftovers is because they don’t have the same flavor as the original meal.

Leftovers are always a great base for the next meal – fewer ingredients than cooking from scratch and less hassle. If you can reheat a meal the right way – you can enjoy it almost as much as when it was freshly made. 

Save yourself some time and money and the planet by decreasing food spoilage, increasing your creativity, and upcycling your meals. 

Last But Not Least!

With all the tips and tricks listed above, you can quickly reheat your favorite lasagnas, carbonara, spaghetti bolognese, fettuccine alfredo, mac and cheese, and pasta bakes. 

The beauty of any pasta dish lies within its great taste and its versatility – there is no reason why one Italian meal cannot be enjoyed twice!