That leftover plate of macaroni and cheese in the fridge appeals to you, but how do you reheat it so it tastes the same as when it was freshly made? Reheating macaroni and cheese may not be easy, and you often risk them getting too dry or becoming too greasy! This tutorial will help you avoid such problems and reheat them so that they return to being as soft and creamy as freshly cooked!
Steps
Method 1 of 3: In the Microwave
Step 1. Transfer the amount of pasta you want to a microwave safe container
Make sure it is made of glass or a specific plastic that resists cooking in the appliance.
Do not reheat more pasta than you will eat, as the more you reheat it, the less appetizing it becomes
Step 2. Add some milk
Pasta continues to absorb liquids after cooking, which means the longer your macaroni rests in the fridge, the drier they become. The secret to maintaining or recreating the original texture of macaroni and cheese is to add a little milk before heating them. The amount needed depends on the type of pasta and cheese. Start with 15ml of milk per 150g of dough. The milk doesn't fully incorporate into the macaroni as they heat up, so don't worry if you notice a little liquid on your plate.
You can also use a mixture of milk and cream for a stronger flavor and creamier texture
Step 3. Cover the dish with cling film
Leave a corner open for the steam to escape.
If you don't want to use cling film in the microwave, you can use an upside-down plate to place on top of the first one, but remember to use oven gloves when you remove it, as it will be hot. Also, steam will come out which could burn you
Step 4. Heat the macaroni on medium power slowly
This way you minimize the risk of the cheese breaking down and separating leaving you with a very oily cheese paste. Set the timer to 1 minute if you are heating a single serving or to 90 seconds for a larger amount of pasta. Continue heating at intervals of 30-60 seconds until you get the temperature you want.
If your microwave model does not have a turntable, heat the macaroni at 45-second intervals and then flip the plate halfway through cooking
Step 5. Season according to your tastes and enjoy your meal
Even if you've been very careful and precise, reheated macaroni and cheese lose some of their flavor. To give them some flavor back, you can sprinkle some Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper, a little butter or garlic salt. If you're particularly reckless, try ketchup, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or even hot sauce.
Method 2 of 3: In the Oven
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 175 ° C
This method is best suited for reheating large quantities of macaroni and cheese, especially if it is the leftovers of a timbale.
Step 2. Transfer the pasta to a shallow pan
Step 3. Stir in a little milk
For every 150g of macaroni, you should calculate about 15ml of milk. However, you can skip this step if you are reheating a timbale with crunchy ingredients on the surface.
Step 4. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake until the contents are hot
It will take 20-30 minutes.
Step 5. If you want to give it an extra touch, add more cheese
Sprinkle a layer of grated cheese (provolone is excellent!); after 20 minutes, remove the aluminum foil and cook for another 10 minutes until the cheese on the top turns golden and forms bubbles.
If you love the crunchy texture, you can add 30-45g of breadcrumbs to the cheese before sprinkling it on the pastry
Method 3 of 3: On the stove
Step 1. Get the pots for cooking in a double boiler
The best way to reheat macaroni and cheese or other types of creamy pasta on the stove is to use a bain marie system. This is a technique that requires two overlapping pans, pouring water into the lower one. At this point the two pans are placed on the fire, as the water contained in the lower pan boils, gently heat the food in the pan above.
- If you do not have the specific pans for this cooking method, know that it is not difficult to improvise them. Get a metal or glass bowl (preferably in Pyrex) that fits perfectly into a saucepan, resting on the edge. Add water to the saucepan, but don't let it come into contact with the bottom of the bowl. Pour the food into the bowl and place it on the stove over medium heat.
- If you can't use the bain-marie technique, heat the macaroni in a normal saucepan, just be careful not to burn the pasta!
Step 2. Add the amount of macaroni and cheese you want to eat into the bowl (or saucepan)
Only heat the portion you can consume; the quality of the pasta deteriorates considerably if it is heated twice.
Step 3. Add the milk
This will add some moisture to the sauce and bring it back to its original creamy consistency. Start with about 15ml of milk per 150g of pasta; you can add more, if you feel the macaroni is getting dry and sticky.
- Consider adding 7-8 g of butter to improve the flavor and texture of the dish.
- Alternatively, use a 50% mixture of milk and cream for a creamier texture.
Step 4. Use medium heat, whether you have chosen to reheat the macaroni in a double boiler or in a saucepan
Check the process carefully and stir the pasta often until it reaches the temperature and consistency you want. Depending on the model of stove you have, this will take 3 to 10 minutes.
- Be patient and try not to overheat the pasta, otherwise the cheese will separate releasing a lot of oil.
- If you feel the dish is getting dry as it heats up, add more milk, one tablespoon at a time.
Step 5. Make some corrections to spice up the flavor
Even if they are reheated in the best way, macaroni and cheese lose some of their original taste. Consider adding another 30g of grated cheese or a few tablespoons of grated Parmesan as you heat them. If you like, you can also mix in some garlic powder or a pinch of cayenne pepper for a firmer touch.
