If you are planning to throw a party or if you simply want to keep the meal warm until dinner, knowing how to keep pasta warm will allow you to preserve the taste and texture of this versatile dish. With just a few common kitchen utensils, your pasta will always look like it was freshly made and thanks to some simple tricks you will be able to prevent it from drying out or becoming sticky.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Using Hot Water
Step 1. Fill a large pot of water to half its capacity
Place it on the stove and heat the water over medium-low heat until it reaches a temperature of 70 ° C.
Step 2. Insert a smaller pot into the pot with water
At this point, pour the cooked and drained pasta into the smaller pot. If the sauce is also ready, pour it into the pot along with the pasta to season it. Place the lid on the smaller pot to trap heat and moisture.
Step 3. Leave the stove on low
From time to time, you will need to stir the dough to prevent it from burning. If necessary, add some warm water to compensate for what has evaporated. Finally, put the lid back on the pot.
Method 2 of 4: Using the Slow Cooker
Step 1. Cook the pasta al dente
Al dente means that the dough must be soft, but must offer a slight resistance to the bite. Depending on the variety, this will take approximately 6-8 minutes. The more you let it cook, the softer it will become.
Step 2. Drain the pasta
Put the colander in the sink, grab the pot with the pot holders and carefully pour the pasta into the colander. Be careful not to burn yourself with the pot or the steam.
Step 3. Determine if you are using the so-called "crock pot" or another type of slow cooker
The "crock pot" is a slow cooker model. Basically, all "crock pots" are slow cookers, but not all slow cookers are "crock pots". Crock pots have only two cooking modes: slower and faster.
- The "crock pot" have an internal ceramic coating and the coil along the sides.
- Slow cookers (also called "slow cookers") have the coil placed on the bottom.
Step 4. Grease the crock pot with olive or seed oil
The oil will prevent the pasta from sticking to the sides of the pot. Olive oil is richer in antioxidants and monounsaturated fats, but the seed oil is better resistant to high temperatures.
- Skip this step if you are using a slow cooker that is not a "crock pot".
- Skip this step even if you are using a "crock pot", but want to keep the pasta warm after you season it with the sauce.
Step 5. Add the sauce to the pasta
Seasoning serves to prevent the pasta from drying out or sticking to the sides of the pot.
If you are using a slow cooker other than a "crock pot" and the sauce is not ready yet, season the pasta with a drizzle of oil emulsified with water
Step 6. Pour the pasta into the pot and turn on slow cooking mode
Stir every 30 minutes, to better distribute the heat and to make sure the paste maintains an even consistency.
- Add a little more gravy or water each time you mix the pasta.
- If you are using a "crock pot", set it to slow cook mode and do not add any more gravy or water when stirring.
Step 7. Serve the pasta when you are ready to eat
If it's been a long time since you last mixed it, stir it before serving.
Method 3 of 4: Using a Tabletop Food Warmer
Step 1. Prepare the table warmer
Place the pan that will house the pasta on the supporting structure of the food warmer. Before lighting the burners, make sure that there are no flammable objects around the food warmer and that the flame is protected from any drafts.
Step 2. Check if your food warmer has a container to pour the water into
The structure of the water table warmer is made up of various pieces, one of which is a container in which the water is added, which will heat up thanks to the coil. The steam will keep the food hot.
Step 3. Pour an inch of water into the pan
Cover the food warmer with the lid to trap the steam that will keep the pasta warm and moist.
Skip this step if yours is a water warmer. In this case you will have to pour it into the appropriate container
Step 4. Cook the pasta for the desired time before draining it
Remember that the more you let it cook, the softer it will be. Many people prefer it al dente.
Keep in mind that with the heat of the food warmer the pasta continues to cook
Step 5. Season the pasta with the sauce
This way you don't have to keep the sauce warm in a separate container and the pasta will be ready to serve.
Skip this step if yours is not a water warmer
Step 6. Rinse the pasta with cold water for 5 minutes, then season it with a drizzle of olive oil
Cold water is used to stop cooking pasta and to remove excess starch that would otherwise make it sticky. The oil serves to keep it moist and separate.
Skip this step if yours is a water warmer
Step 7. Pour the pasta into the pan
Remember to close the food warmer with the lid to prevent the pasta from drying out. You will need to mix it from time to time, otherwise you risk the bottom layer being overcooked. When you are ready to eat, you can bring the food warmer directly to the table if the pasta is already seasoned.
If your food warmer is not water-based, periodically add a little water to the pan to replace the one that evaporates
Method 4 of 4: Workarounds
Step 1. Prepare the pasta in advance, store it in the refrigerator and heat it with boiling water when you are ready to eat it
Many restaurants use this same method to quickly serve their customers. The dough will heat evenly without losing consistency.
- Cook the pasta al dente, then drain and store it in the refrigerator in a resealable food bag.
- When you are ready to eat it, boil the water in a large pot.
- Immerse the pasta in boiling water for no less than 30 seconds, then drain and serve.
Step 2. Alternatively, you can prepare the pasta in advance, store it in the refrigerator, and heat it in the microwave when you are ready to eat it
This method is great for occasions when you are in a hurry and have few tools available. Remember that the pasta will cook a little longer as you heat it.
- Cook the pasta al dente, then drain and store it in the refrigerator in a resealable food bag.
- When you are ready to eat it, season it with a drizzle of olive oil and place it in a container suitable for use in the microwave.
- Heat it in the microwave on low power for 1 minute.
Step 3. Keep the dough warm in the oven
This method can make the pasta dry; to avoid this, make sure it is well covered in the sauce before putting it in the oven.
- Put the pasta in an ovenproof dish.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and turn on the oven to 100 ° C or the lowest available temperature.
- If the oven reaches a temperature of 100 ° C, turn it off so that the pasta is kept warm with the residual heat and does not risk overcooking.
Step 4. Keep the pasta warm in a thermos
It's a great solution if you want to take pasta to school or office and eat it hot at lunchtime. You can also use this method to keep dinner warm for one or two people.
- Heat the thermos: fill it with boiling water and leave it full for 10 minutes.
- Empty the thermos and fill it with the hot pasta and sauce.
- Close the thermos and make sure you have sealed it properly to avoid burning yourself during transport.
