Pasta says “do not reheat” because the more you cool and reheat food, the higher the risk of food poisoning. Bacteria can multiply when cooled slowly or insufficiently. The “do not reheat” notice is common on ready-to-eat pasta. It has already been heated and kept for several hours. If you leave cooked pasta under room temperature for 2 hours or more, it is no longer safe to eat.
The instruction is cautious because pasta can become a breeding ground for bacteria once hydrated and warm. Its density makes it more difficult to remove built-up. Even if it goes through reheating, it may not be high enough to kill any bacteria.
The chances are high that you will leave the pasta in the danger zone for an extended time. However, you can still take a risk by reheating pasta leftovers. Pick any method below and follow the instructions.
Steaming
Bring your water to a boil and remove it from the heat if you have a colander. Dunk your pasta in warm water for one minute to heat it. Drain the warmed pasta to prevent it from being soggy. This method works if you keep your pasta sauce separate when storing it in the fridge.
The method works if you keep your pasta and sauce separate. When you cook pasta, separate it into portions as you leave what is enough for the day. Rinse the remaining un-sauced pasta under cold water to stop the cooking and get mushy.
Steps
- When you want to reheat your pasta, boil a pot of water.
- Stir the pasta in for about 30-60 seconds.
- Place your leftover pasta in a heat-safe colander, drain and put the pasta and cold sauce back into the hot pot to mix them.
- Dip the colander into the pot for 30 to 60 seconds to warm the pasta.
- Alternatively, you can boil water in a kettle or microwave, pour it over your pasta in a container, and drain. Heat your sauce in the microwave for another 30-60 seconds to warm it up before topping your pasta.
- When warm, toss your pasta with your favorite pasta sauce and serve.
Baking
Heating pasta already coated in the sauce is ideal when using an oven. This method makes your dish crispy and bubbly. For an extra cheesy pasta dish, remove the foil at the end of the bake and add some additional cheese to the top.
Reheating pasta in an oven sticks to the tray. When worried about your leftovers being too dry, add pasta sauce or a few drops of water to the baking dish. That revives your pasta leftovers and keeps the taste and texture the same as the first time.
Line the tray with parchment paper or lightly oil a non-stick baking tray before adding pasta. It also works if your office has a toaster oven. For better results, heat in small batches on the toaster oven tray. Do not leave stuck-on pasta bits on the toaster. If you do not have more time, consider the oven method since no boiling or colanders is required.
Steps
- Place your pasta in an oven-safe baking dish.
- Cover it with foil.
- Bake at 350℉ for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Sometimes the pasta burns on top without heating all the way through. Place a piece of aluminum foil over your pasta for protection while helping the dish warm up a bit faster. Note that using aluminum foil can result in a longer reheating time.
Microwave it
If the microwave is your only option, you can still use it for reheated pasta. For a perfect taste and texture, put your pasta into a microwave-safe dish, and add a few drops of water or sauce. That keeps the pasta from sticking together and drying out.
Pasta reheated in the microwave can get clumpy. You can have lava hot spots beside ice cold spots, it can dry out. The container of microwaved pasta does not stay as good as it was. However, you can still reheat leftover pasta so that it tastes good.
Steps
- Cover the dish and reheat it for 1 to 1 ½ minutes.
- Check to see if it is heated all the way. If not, continue microwaving at 15-second increments until hot. Stir the pasta between each microwave session to keep the pasta from clumping together.
Soup it
This is a unique way to use up leftover pasta. The soft pasta bites are for cold weather, and the method allows you to see and taste your progress. Always keep a close eye on the pasta so the soup does not dry.
You can use any parmesan cheese, go ahead and add it for some extra cheesy flavor. Bring the soup to a boil for three minutes to kill any harmful bacterial growth (Marthastewart.com).
Steps
- Cut your lasagna into bite-sized pieces.
- Bring a saucepan of chicken or vegetable broth to a simmer.
- Add your pasta, stir well, and continue simmering for a minute or until heated.
- When at work, bring your pasta cut into chunks and your soup broth in a separate microwave-safe container.
- Zap the pasta chunks for 30-60 seconds, stir them up, then zap again for another 30-60 seconds.
- Heat the broth till it is simmering.
- Combine pasta and broth in a bowl and stir well. If the pasta is not hot enough, it heats up from the hot broth.
Best method
Sauté It
Use the stove for a quick fix that does not involve the microwave. The sauteing method cooks quickly, so stir your pasta so the sauce does not brown or burn. This method works for pasta coated in sauce and plain pasta.
What makes the method a better one is that it is quick and straightforward (Cooksmarts). The chances of burning your pasta are very slim.
Steps
- Add olive oil, or your favorite cooking oil, to a pan and heat over medium-high heat.
- Add pasta, sauce, and fresh ingredients to the pan and sauté for two to five minutes until heated.
Storage
Cooked pasta should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consumed within two days.
Safe Temperatures
Cooked pasta is a perishable food that should be heated to an internal temp of 74℃ or 165℉.
FAQs
Can you get food poisoning from reheating pasta?
Yes, pasta is a food poisoning risk. If cooked food is allowed to cool, the spores can germinate, and reheating or lightly cooking the food will not destroy this toxin. Reheating pasta multiple times heightens your chance of food poisoning and reduces the flavor and nutritional content.
How long does leftover pasta last?
If you keep your pasta in an airtight food storage container, leftover pasta, sauced and plain, will last up to five days in the refrigerator.