Can you reheat pasta?

PASTA can be eaten in so many different ways - so why not get creative.

Whether it's lunch for one, or a dinner date, pesto pasta can make for the perfect meal - but can it be reheated? Here's everything you need to know.

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Can you reheat pasta?

The good news is that you can reheat pasta.

However, if the pasta is mixed with other ingredients you need to consider those too.

Pasta is so cheap to make, but there's no need to let Italian deliciousness go to waste if it's not all eaten in one sitting.

For instance, it's perfectly safe to reheat chicken and pesto pasta, provided it has been refrigerated within an hour of being cooked and is no more than two days old.

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What is the best way to reheat pasta?

While reheating pasta is generally safe, some chefs admit that exposing pasta to too much heat for too long can change its texture and flavour. 

Here are some tips for making the perfect pasta.

Plain Pasta

Method:

• Bring some salt water to boil, make sure that there is enough for all the pasta to be covered
• When the water comes to a full boil, add the pasta
• Allow the pasta to boil until it softens
• You can add some salt for flavour and a splash of oil to prevent the pasta from sticking together
• Be sure to check your pasta every 30 seconds to prevent overboil

Once your pasta is soft, drain that water over the sink using a colander and serve as you like!

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The best way to reheat pasta is on the stove.

But if you're pushed for time, you can use the microwave instead by following this method.

Simply add a few drops of water or sauce to a microwave-safe dish to help prevent the pasta from sticking together and drying out.

Heat it in the microwave on medium power for one minute and 60 seconds.

To prevent it from overcooking, check and stir it half way through.

If after that time your pasta is not fully heated, stir it thoroughly and place it back in the microwave for 15-second intervals until fully heated.

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Pasta Bake

If you have a pasta dish and are wondering if you can reheat the leftovers, you have couple ways you can do so.

To reheat it on a stove:

Method:

• Put your pasta dish in a heatproof bag container
• Bring some water to boil in a pot
• Once the water reaches a boiling point, put the bag in it and allow it to stay there for a minute
• The more pasta you have, the more time it will need to heat through
• Check it after a minute and if it is not fully heated, keep checking it every 15 seconds - your pasta is ready to eat!

If you're at the office and only have access to a microwave, you can reheat your pasta the quicker way:

• Providing the container is microwaveable, lift at least one corner of the lid when placed inside - this it to let steam escape
• Heat it on medium power for between one minute and 60 seconds
• Halfway through, stir the dish so that your pasta is reheated throughout
• If your pasta is not fully warmed, then heat for a further 15-second before checking again
• It is suggested to mix your pasta before reheating and in the middle of reheating and if you have any extra sauce, add it to the paste before heating so that it has less risk of drying up
• Once finished, you can enjoy your pasta dish

To reheat a pasta bake, you ideally use an oven.

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit
• Place the pasta in an ovenproof dish and cover it with foil, so that the sauce doesn't dry out
• Reheat the pasta for 20 minutes and to check whether it is ready, simply insert the tip of a knife in the center of the pasta bake for 10 to 15 seconds
• When you take the knife out, feel the tip and if it's hot to touch, then your pasta is ready, if not, then it needs more time in the oven
• Keep reheating it at 10-minute intervals until you're satisfied that it's cooked to your desired heat

How many times can you reheat pasta?

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) recommends that food is only reheated once, so follow this guidance wherever possible.

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Reheating food numerous times not only reduces its quality, but it increases the chances of food poisoning as well.

Some other foods like risotto and cous cous have their own reheating methods to preserve the quality and flavour.