When cooking pasta, I always cook more than I need for one specific recipe. Then I store the leftover pasta and use it in many other recipes. To store cooked pasta:
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- While pasta is still warm, toss with 1-3 teaspoons of plain vegetable oil so the strands don't stick together when they cool.
- Place the pasta in a food storage bag and set it, unsealed, in the refrigerator.
- When the pasta is cool, seal the bag and lightly toss the bag to make sure the pasta is not sticking together.
- Use the pasta cold if the recipe calls for it. You can also reheat the pasta by dropping into a pot of rapidly boiling water for 30-60 seconds, just until hot. Do not leave the pasta in the water for longer than one minute! Continue with the recipe.
Use leftover pasta in these recipes:
- Reheat pasta as directed above and top with any pasta sauce
- Use the cold pasta in a Pasta Frittata, following these Step by Step Directions.
- Reheat pasta as directed above and use in any Pasta Salad.
- For small pasta shapes, like orzo or small noodles, use the cold cooked pasta in a Stir Fry. Add the pasta in the last couple minutes of cooking time so it doesn't break down.
