When it comes to reheating leftover pasta dishes it can be a bit tricky. The best way to reheat pasta all depends on how it was initially cooked and what type of sauce was used. Whether you need to warm up plain pasta or pasta that’s been tossed in a sauce, we’ve researched the best reheating methods for both. Below are the best ways to reheat plain and sauced leftover pasta.

Plain Pasta

Plain pasta can be reheated in the microwave or on the stove. It all depends on how much leftover pasta you need to reheat. If you need to warm a large portion, we suggest you use the stove.

Stovetop – To reheat pasta on the stove, begin by bringing a pot of salted water to a boil. There should be enough water in the pot to cover all the pasta that you need to reheat. When the water comes to a rolling boil you can add the pasta directly to the pot or you can place it in a metal colander. Let the pasta cook for about a minute before checking to see if it is thoroughly heated. If it isn’t, let the pasta cook for an additional 15-30 seconds.

Microwave – If you only need to reheat a small serving of pasta, the microwave is the best option. To reheat pasta in the microwave, you’ll need a microwavable dish and plastic wrap. Put the leftover pasta in the dish and cover it with plastic wrap. Nip a small hole in the plastic wrap and place the dish in the microwave. Allow the pasta to cook for 1-2 minutes on medium power or until it’s heated.

Sauced Pasta

In most cases, your leftover pasta will have been tossed in some type of sauce. Whether its tomato, garlic or alfredo, these methods all work very well at reheating sauced pasta.

Microwave – Place the leftover pasta in a microwavable bowl or dish. If you like you can add a sprinkle of water or leftover sauce over the pasta. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and snip a small hole at the corner to allow steam to escape. Allow the pasta to cook for 2 minutes on medium power. If the pasta isn’t warm after two minutes, allow it to cook for an additional 15-20 seconds.

Oven – Preheat your oven to 300-325°F and place the pasta in a baking dish. Cover the dish with a tight-fitting lid or aluminum food and place it in the oven. Let the pasta cook for 20-25 minutes before checking to see if it’s done. If you like, you can remove the foil and sprinkle some cheese over the pasta before returning it to the oven and letting it cook until the cheese is melted.