Unsticking Clumped Pasta

[Shel_B]

Hi,

Any suggestions for unsticking unsauced clumped together cooked pasta that's been stored for a while in the fridge? Any suggestions for preventing cooked pasta from clumping if it's not used right away? I tried adding oil to the warm pasta, but after it cooled down the macaroni still clumped together. Maybe I didn't use enough oil?

Shel

Edited October 2, 2007 by Shel_B (log)

[Peter the eater]

Hi,

Any suggestions for unsticking unsauced clumped together cooked pasta that's been stored for a while in the fridge? Any suggestions for preventing cooked pasta from clumping if it's not used right away? I tried adding oil to the warm pasta, but after it cooled down the macaroni still clumped together. Maybe I didn't use enough oil?

Shel

←

hot water works well.

[Kouign Aman]

Yup. Swish the clumps in a bowl of warm water, and gently break them apart. I have no idea how to prevent clumping.

[merstar]

I mix a little water into the slightly warm or cooled leftover pasta, separate the pieces, let the excess water drain off, then store in the refrigerator.

Edited October 2, 2007 by merstar (log)

[tastykimmie]

Hi,

Any suggestions for unsticking unsauced clumped together cooked pasta that's been stored for a while in the fridge? Any suggestions for preventing cooked pasta from clumping if it's not used right away? I tried adding oil to the warm pasta, but after it cooled down the macaroni still clumped together. Maybe I didn't use enough oil?

Shel

←

hot water works well.

←

ditto

[Smithy]

Hi,

Any suggestions for unsticking unsauced clumped together cooked pasta that's been stored for a while in the fridge? Any suggestions for preventing cooked pasta from clumping if it's not used right away? I tried adding oil to the warm pasta, but after it cooled down the macaroni still clumped together. Maybe I didn't use enough oil?

Shel

←

As for preventing the clumping, I'm guessing you either didn't use enough oil or you didn't stir it thoroughly enough.

My husband swears by adding oil to the water while the pasta is boiling. It doesn't seem very effective to me. Obviously, the mileage varies.

[monavano]

I'm not in the using oil camp, however I really don't know if it interfered with sauce clinging to the pasta. I simply place the pasta in a collander and run it under hot water. Works like a charm.

There's NO reason to toss pasta!

[angeljolie]

I think even room temp water can un-clump the pasta.

As for preventing the clumping, adding oil to the boiling water also didn't work for me. What I do is, after cooking, I place it under running water (to stop the cooking process), drain it (there should be little water left though), and then smother it with oil. Most probably, it is the carry-over cooking that's making the starches come out, hence making the pasta sticky.