Pasta carbonara is a classic Italian dish known for its creamy consistency, made from raw eggs, bacon/pancetta, parmigiano-reggiano cheese/pecorino romano, and black pepper. It’s probably one of the best-known pasta dishes out there. Many wonder if you can reheat a carbonara without destroying its flavours and texture. This guide will show you various methods to reheat your carbonara to stay as delicious as if it were just made. The cook times vary for each method.
The Do’s and Dont’s of Reheating Spaghetti alla Carbonara For Best Results
Do’s:
1. Use a non-stick pan: When reheating carbonara pasta, it is best to use a non-stick pan to prevent the pasta from sticking and burning.
2. Add a splash of milk or cream: To revive the creamy carbonara sauce, try adding a splash of milk or heavy cream while reheating the silky sauce
3. Heat on medium heat: To prevent the egg yolks in the cheese sauce from curdling, heat the dish on low heat and stir continuously with a wooden spoon until warmed through. You want to keep the pasta al dente, so pay careful attention.
4. Add fresh herbs or Parmesan cheese: For added flavour, sprinkle some fresh herbs or grated Parmesan/pecorino cheese on top of the reheated carbonara.
5. Serve on warm plates: carbonara tends to go cold very quickly, so to keep the food warm, it is best served on warm plates after reheating
Don’ts:
1. Reheat for too long: Do not overheat carbonara, as this can cause it to become dry and lose its creamy texture – low and slow is the way!
2. Skip stirring: Make sure to stir constantly while reheating carbonara to evenly distribute the heat and prevent clumping of the creamy sauce
3. Add water: Do not add water to reheat carbonara, as this will dilute the sauce’s flavour. If you have to use any water, make it hot pasta water and only a small amount of liquid.
Different Methods For Reheating Carbonara
Stovetop Method
- Transfer the cooked pasta to a cold pan and reheat it over gentle heat.
- Add a splash of cream, stock or milk to help loosen up the sauce and prevent it from drying out.
- Stir frequently until heated through.
- Take off the heat and serve
Microwave Method
- Place the leftover carbonara in a microwave-safe bowl and cover it with a damp paper towel or a lid to retain moisture. If the sauce looks particularly dry, add a little stock or cream to revive it.
- Heat on medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through and heating in short bursts
- Serve
Oven Method
- Ideal for big batches, place the leftover pasta in an oven-safe baking dish.
- Cover with foil and bake at 180 for 15-20 minutes until heated.
- Serve
Bain-Marie Method
Reheating carbonara in a bain marie is the best method to ensure the dish retains its creamy texture and doesn’t dry out or separate. A bain marie, also known as a water bath, is a gentle heating method that uses hot water to heat food slowly without direct contact with the heat source. To reheat carbonara in a bain Marie, follow these simple steps:
1. Fill a saucepan with 2 inches of water and simmer over just enough heat.
2. Place your small bowl of leftover carbonara (preferably in an oven-safe dish) into the simmering water, ensuring the water doesn’t touch the bowl. Ensure the bowl is big enough to get ‘lodged’ in the saucepan and not touch the water below it.
3. Cover the saucepan with a lid and let the carbonara heat up slowly for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.
4. Check the temperature of the carbonara using a food thermometer – it should reach at least 165°F (74°C) to be safe for consumption.
5. Once heated through, serve your deliciously creamy carbonara and enjoy!
Remember not to overheat your carbonara, as this can cause it to become dry or curdled. Reheating it gently in a bain-marie will help maintain its luscious texture and flavour. So next time you have leftover carbonara, try using this method for perfect results every time!
Other Methods
Another method is to reserve some of the sauce and just reheat it when needed. Then, you only need to toss it through freshly cooked pasta. This method leaves the sauce to cool at room temperature for up to 2 hours. You can then place it in an airtight container, covered with plastic wrap on the surface to prevent skin from forming and keep it in the fridge for the next day. It will keep for up to 3 days. Using this method you can bring a big pot of pasta water to the boil to cook the pasta and use a cup of pasta water to adjust the sauce and bring it back to life.
You can also try to liven up the reheated dish by adding extra cheese and fresh herbs to give it a new lease of life. If you have any bacon, fry until golden brown and add that and the bacon fat to revive the dish. If you have soggy pasta, you can also revive it by sauteing it quickly in a little olive oil to bring it back to life.
It is possible to reheat carbonara but remember that it may not be as good as when first made. Carbonara is a dish that is at its best when fresh. The stovetop method/bain-marie is the best way to add a touch of cream and heat the egg mixture very gently to bring the dish back to life.