Freezing and Thawing Pasta

“Macaroni, spaghetti, ravioli, tagliatelle… I want pasta! Pasta in all its forms is delicious! If you’re a pasta fan and want to know everything about storing cooked pasta so you can eat it whenever you want, we’ve got some tips for you!

Can you freeze cooked pasta?

The quickest answer is YES. If you make a lot of pasta and want to save the leftovers to eat later, the freezer is a good option to keep it.

However, you have to keep in mind that this food can lose its flavor, texture and quality once it goes in the freezer, so thawed pasta will not be as good as pasta you just made.

How do I freeze pasta?

Now that you know you can freeze cooked pasta, it makes sense to ask yourself how to make sure it’s still as good once it’s thawed. With these tips and tricks, you’ll learn how to freeze your pasta to keep your dishes in perfect condition:

Cook it Al dente: the most important tip is to cook the pasta al dente before freezing your pasta, that way when you defrost it, it will still be delicious.
Use a good container: the container where you freeze your pasta is also very important, it must be completely sealed to keep the food at low temperatures. It will also be essential that you put the right amount of pasta in each container, by distributing them in small portions you will ensure that they will keep well for two or three months. You can also use special freezer bags.
Freeze your pasta without sauce: if possible, freeze your pasta without sauce and other ingredients. Once you have your container full of pasta, we recommend adding a little olive oil to it, as it will be much easier to thaw this way.
Leave some space between your pasta: if you are going to freeze fresh raw pasta, put it in the shape of a nest on a baking sheet with parchment paper, always leaving one or two centimeters between them. This way, you will avoid that they stick together in the freezer. Leave the pasta in the freezer for an hour and then put it in an airtight container.

Can you freeze fresh raw pasta?

YES, nothing could be easier! Simply place the pasta in a plastic bag, freezer bag or airtight glass container, make sure the bag or container is tightly closed and place it in the freezer. However, raw pasta is a food that can be stored for a very long time and it is rare that fresh pasta goes out of date.

How to thaw pasta

In this case, the first thing to consider is that it is essential that you take the pasta out a few hours before eating it so that it thaws at room temperature. Another good technique is to take it out a day before and leave it in the refrigerator for 24 hours.

If your pasta was cooked, we recommend thawing it in a water bath. This technique is easy and will allow you to keep the flavor of your pasta dish.

How to thaw fresh pasta?

If you have frozen fresh pasta, you can cook it directly. However, if you are cooking ravioli or pasta with filling, we recommend that you let it thaw at room temperature, as the slow cooking process may cause it to become too soft. The trick is to put your pasta on a baking sheet with film to prevent it from sticking to the surface and let it thaw.”

Source : https://cuisine.toutcomment.com/article/peut-on-congeler-des-pates-cuites-14342.html