How To Reheat Pasta

Learn how to reheat pasta so that it is as tender, flavorful, and delicious as when it was first prepared! You can still enjoy that scrumptious pasta dish a day or so after it was made! So, hold on to your leftovers as we outline all of the best methods for reheating pasta.

Best Methods For Reheating Pasta

You can use several different methods for reheating pasta, whether plain or with sauce. Leftover pasta will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days in the fridge.

The following tips will ensure your pasta doesn't cook unevenly or dry out (or become soggy or gluey).

Jump to:

• Best Methods For Reheating Pasta
• Reheating Pasta In The Microwave
• How To Reheat Pasta On The Stove
• How To Reheat Pasta In The Oven
• How To Reheat Pasta In An Air Fryer
• Reheating Filled Pasta Shells
• 💭 Tips For Leftover Pasta
• 📖 Recipe Card
• 💬 Comments & Reviews

See more of my great pasta articles here on BIWL, like types of pasta, best pasta for mac and cheese, and best cheese for pasta! Then, see all of my pasta recipes here!

Reheating Pasta In The Microwave

How many times have you wanted to quickly reheat leftover pasta in the microwave only to end up with a strange combination of hot and cold food that is dry or rubbery?

There is a simple way to fix that! Follow the steps below:

1. Add a little water or pasta sauce (about a tablespoon) to a microwave-safe bowl and place the pasta inside.
2. Spread the pasta out into an even layer for quick, even heating.
3. Cover the bowl, leaving space for steam to escape. Use cling film or a plate to cover the dish if it doesn't have a fitted lid.
4. Heat your pasta for one minute at medium power, then stir so the pasta cooks evenly. Next, heat for one more minute or until heated through.

You can do this for plain pasta as well as pasta with sauce. However, if the sauce is cream-based, use short bursts of cooking time (30 seconds), adding a little milk and stirring to help reconstitute the sauce.

Also, be cautious with cheesy sauces that may become oily and/or rubbery if heated on high power or longer reheating times.

How To Reheat Pasta On The Stove

Reheating pasta on the stovetop is a great way to revive leftovers, especially if you want to avoid the microwave or if you're dealing with a larger quantity. Here's how to do it:

If Pasta is Plain (Without Sauce)

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil, using enough water to easily cover your leftover cooked pasta.
2. Reheat leftover pasta by adding it to the boiling water and cooking for 30 seconds, stirring to loosen the pasta as needed.
3. Drain the pasta and toss with sauce as desired to serve.

Alternatively, you can add a bit of butter or oil and a splash of water to a skillet and heat the pasta over medium-high heat. Stir small portions for 2-3 minutes to reheat; larger portions may take longer to fully heat.

If Pasta is Already Mixed with Sauce

If you reheat pasta with red sauce, apply nonstick spray to a pan. You can also use a tablespoon of butter or drizzle extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) onto the pan. Use medium heat, and don't forget to stir often.

If you are reheating pasta with cream-based sauce, you will need to add milk and half a tablespoon of butter to help the sauce reconstitute because cream sauce separates when it is stored in the refrigerator. Cook over medium heat, stirring often.

How To Reheat Pasta In The Oven

1. To reheat pasta in the oven, place in an oven-safe dish. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C/Gas Mark 4).
2. Cover the dish with foil if your leftover pasta has oil or butter on it and bake for 15-20 minutes. If the pasta is plain, add oil or cooking spray to the dish first.

To reheat pasta with sauce, be sure to place it in an oven-safe bowl before baking. The sauce's moisture will help keep the pasta from drying out as it cooks.

For cream-based dishes, take the pasta out midway, add some milk, and stir, then place back in the oven to finish cooking.

>>>>See all of my recipes here<<<<

How To Reheat Pasta In An Air Fryer

Yes, you can reheat pasta in the air fryer! The air fryer works well to reheat pasta, with or without sauce, or if you want your pasta to be just a little bit crispy.

1. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). While you wait, add a little bit of water and the pasta in a microwave-safe bowl and cook on high heat for 30 seconds to 1 minute (this helps the pasta stay loose).
2. Spread the pasta into a single layer in the basket. If you put too much pasta at a time, it could get soggy.
3. Cook for 3-4 minutes, shaking the basket during the cooking.
4. Add cooking spray or oil to the pasta if you want it to be crispy, or you can add sauce or toppings before you place the pasta in the basket, making sure to evenly distribute the sauce.

Follow these same steps for reheating frozen pasta in the air fryer, but make sure to thaw the pasta first (overnight in the fridge or the microwave).

Reheating Filled Pasta Shells

Leftover stuffed pasta like ravioli can easily be reheated by boiling a pot of water.

1. Boil water.
2. Keeping the pasta in a strainer, gently submerge it into the boiling water. Cook for one minute or until heated throughout.
3. Check the pasta every 30 seconds so it doesn't overcook. Drain the water from the pot, then add sauce.

Reheating Stuffed Pasta In A Microwave

Using a microwave-safe bowl, add a little bit of water and cover the dish (leave a gap for steam to escape). Cook for one minute or until heated through. Add sauce when done.

Reheating Stuffed Pasta In The Oven

Add a little water and stuffed pasta to an oven-safe dish and cover with foil. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350°F (175°C/Gas Mark 4) or until heated throughout. (Water keeps the pasta from drying out).

💭 Tips For Leftover Pasta

• Make sure not to overcook the leftover pasta, as it will easily go from al dente to mushy.
• Freshen up leftovers by adding herbs and lightly steamed veggies.
• If the pasta seems dry, add a small amount of water or sauce before reheating. This will help restore moisture and flavor.

I hope these tips and tricks will help you out with reheating your pasta! What is your favorite way to enjoy some leftover pasta? Leave a comment and let me know!

📖 Recipe Card