Whether you prefer long spaghetti noodles or one of the other shapes including farfalle or macaroni, pasta can be prepared ahead of time and then refrigerated for a quick meal later. A low-fat option suitable for lunch or dinner, properly prepared and stored pasta retains its flavor and texture in the refrigerator, allowing you to pull out what you need for a low-effort meal. Enjoy the noodles hot or cold with a variety of sauces or toppings.
Step 1
Place 1 gallon of water for each pound of pasta into a large pot. Add ½ tablespoon of salt per gallon of water.
Step 2
Bring the water to a full boil over medium-high heat. Add the pasta to the boiling water.
Step 3
Cook the pasta for 5 to 15 minutes once the water returns to a boil. Cooking time varies between pasta type, size and shape, so refer to the package for cooking time recommendations.
Step 4
Pour the pasta into a colander, draining off the water. Rinse the pasta in cold water to cool it down and wash away the the excess starch.
Step 5
Place the pasta in a food storage container. Toss the pasta with olive oil, using 1 teaspoon. per pound of cooked pasta. The oil prevents the pasta from drying out or sticking together during storage.
Step 6
Place the lid on the container and seal it closed. Store the cooked pasta in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Tip
Properly cooked pasta is tender but not mushy, a state referred to as "al dente."
There is no need to rinse pasta you are serving immediately, only pasta you intend to refrigerate.