Reheating Pasta—With Success!

Ever wonder why pasta in a restaurant always tastes so fresh and is perfectly sauced? Pasta is one of those dishes that is really best eaten straight out of the pot, freshly tossed with sauce, and served right away. For most of us who entertain or meal prep in advance, this ideal can be a bit of a challenge to achieve. How can we cook in advance without sacrificing taste or quality? Knowing some of the tricks and hacks for reheating pasta will definitely help you avoid serving dried out, gummy pasta.

For plain cooked pasta, my secret weapon is always: pasta water! When making pasta in advance, just rinse the pasta in cool water to remove excess starch that can cause the pasta to be pasty and stick together. But it is that same starchy water that will help the sauce adhere to the pasta and coat it well. If you are making the pasta in advance, save some of the pasta water (in a separate container) and use it to refresh the pasta in a large skillet or pot before serving. Toss it with the pasta and sauce until the pasta is heated through and well coated.

While a little pasta water can work to loosen the congealed sauced pasta in the pan, too much can also water down and thin out the sauce. Adding a more flavorful liquid like stock or cream (if it is a cream-based sauce) will resurrect the pasta sauce without diluting. Be careful not to overcook the pasta when reheating, as it can become mushy. If you plan on making it ahead and reheating before serving, be sure to cook the pasta al dente (on the firmer side).

For baked pasta dishes, such as lasagna or macaroni & cheese, these dishes can be assembled 1-2 days prior and baked just prior to serving. If you want to refresh a fully cooked dish, be sure to reheat it while covered to prevent the pasta from drying out in the oven. Reheating at 350°F for 20-25 minutes is generally sufficient to rewarm.

Lasagna Hack: You can also add moisture to the dish by poking several small holes in the top of the lasagna and then pouring a small amount of milk or water over it prior to reheating. Cover tightly with foil and place in a 350°F oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until cheese is bubbling.

These fall days are long and busy. Getting dinner made and reheated is often squeezed in whenever or however it works. With your trusty pasta water in hand, a perfectly fresh meal is just minutes away! n

Naomi Ross is a cooking instructor and food writer based in Woodmere, NY. She teaches classes throughout the country and writes articles connecting good cooking and Jewish inspiration. Her first cookbook, The Giving Table, was released in December 2022. Follow her at @naomirosscooks on Instagram/FB/TikTok or visit NaomiRossCooks.com.