You Should Really Be Storing Extra Pasta Water In Your Fridge And Freezer
Boiling dried noodles to make yummy pasta dishes is one of the simplest ways to get dinner on the table in no time. You simply fill a large pot with cold water and add a pinch of salt. Place the pot on a stove burner and turn the heat to high. Once the water comes to a rolling boil, add the dried pasta noodles to the pot. Use a wooden spoon or tongs to stir the noodles gently, making sure they don't stick to the bottom of the pot.
Cook the pasta for around 8 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once it is cooked, turn off the heat and carefully drain the pasta into a colander. Finally, rinse the pasta with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent the noodles from sticking together. Serve with your choice of sauces, vegetables, and cheese, and enjoy. But what about that pasta water that you just poured down the drain? Have you ever thought about saving it in your fridge or freezer? Well, you should, and there are a few great reasons why.
How pasta water can make your meal better
Saving pasta water is useful because it can enhance the flavor, texture, and overall quality of your pasta dish. Pasta water contains salt and starch that can add flavor to your pasta dish. The starch in the pasta water could thicken the sauce and create a silky texture, and it helps the sauce adhere better to the pasta, ensuring that every bite is coated with the sauce (via Fine Dining Lovers).
If your pasta dish is too dry, you can use the pasta water to adjust the consistency of the sauce. Do you often have pasta leftovers? Well, pasta water can lend you a hand with this, too. For example, if you need to reheat your pasta, using the pasta water can help prevent it from drying out. Simply keep your pasta, without the sauce or other food items you add to it, in some of the water, then reheat it on the stove when you're ready to warm up your leftovers.
Saving your pasta water
With all of these benefits, it's easy to see why you should be storing your pasta water. To save it, simply scoop out a cup or two of the hot water using a ladle or a measuring cup just before draining the pasta. Make sure to reserve the water and add it to the sauce as needed. You can also plan ahead for other dishes that could benefit from this starchy water and keep some of it in your fridge. Simply save all of the water the next time you make pasta, rather than pouring it down the drain. However, just keep in mind that pasta water can only be stored for about three days in the fridge (via Uno Casa).
Need it for longer? Freeze it! Having some pasta water on hand in the freezer for quick sauces or for reheating pasta or even rice can be great for home cooks. All you have to do is pour the pasta water into an ice tray, freeze it, then put the cubes in a freezer-safe bag. When you are ready to use them, put them in a measuring cup and warm them in the microwave.