Dehydrating123: Why And How To Dehydrate Pasta
Pasta is a great base for healthy, nutritious and satisfying backpacking meals. It provides our body with glucose – the “fuel”, to power muscles and brain. As a complex carbohydrates, pasta digested more slowly that ensure a steady release of energy to keep you going throughout the day.
Very low in sodium and cholesterol-free, pasta also is a good source of dietary fiber, B-group vitamins, and minerals.
Why have you to dehydrate pasta if it’s already dried?
That’s a fair enough question. There are three key reasons:
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Dehydrated pasta can be done very quickly, saving both time and fuel;
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You can cook it on the trail without draining water off;
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You can mix dehydrated pasta together with other foods like dried meat and powdered sauces to create one-pot meals.
What kind of pasta to dehydrate?
You can use any pasta; however, smaller and shorter varieties tend to work much better . That’s because they don’t take up a lot of space such as angel hair, spaghetti or similar pastas. On top of that long-shape pasta is a bit harder to bag, with sharp ends that may damage the packaging.
How to dehydrate pasta
Follow these 5 steps to properly dehydrate pasta:
Step 1
Cook your pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions.
Step 2
Drain water off. Rinse pasta with cold water to stop the cooking process and remove excess starch.
Step 3
Spread the cooked pasta on dehydrator mesh sheets or lined trays (for small pasta shapes) in a single layer.
Step 4
Dry pasta at 135F/57C for about 2-6 hours until hard (the exact drying time will depend on the type of pasta and the humidity of your environment)
Step 5
Put dried pasta into vacuum-sealed containers, jars or zip lock bags. Store in a dry, dark place at room temperature.
How to rehydrate pasta
To rehydrate the pasta on the trail, simply add it to boiling water and let it cook for a few minutes until it is tender. You can also add other dehydrated ingredients like vegetables or meat to make a complete backpacking meal.
Recipes with dehydrated pasta:
Beef Alfredo
Easy Cheesy Salmon Pasta
Easy Chili Mac
Good Old Mac and Cheese
Kale Mac and Cheese
Mushroom Mac and Cheese
Penne Puttanesca
Sardine Pasta with Crunchy Garlic Breadcrumbs
CAN I DEHYDRATE HOME MADE PA POT PIE NOODELS I MADE THEM FRESH .
I have just dehydrated my first pasta…gluten free corn penne pasta. I was shocked at how quickly you rehydrate it. I put one piece in a small amount of water and microwaved it. Less than 2 minutes and I could eat it. I definitely see the benefit of doing this to cut your prep time.
Have you tried dehydrating Banza pasta (chickpea pasta)?
No, but I do not see any problem with chickpea pasta dehydration.
great information
Can a larger pasta like a penne be dehydrated and rehydrated successfully? TIA.
Yep! I do use penne for my backpacking meals. But it takes a bit longer to rehydrate.
Can the pasta be rehydrated in a microwave oven like the microwaveable mac&cheese?
Never tried to rehydrate food in microwave oven. I suppose you should soak the food first in water, and than put in the oven.
Is this better than simply vacuum sealing, for long term storage?
Dry and plain pasta (without added sauces or other stuff) doesn’t need vacuum sealing.
I know this is an older article, but how long does it take the pasta to rehydrate after pouring in hot water. I’m looking for a feasible way to make pasta at work. All I have is water from the coffee pod brewers.
Hi, Sinna! Rehydration can take up from 15 minutes to hours. Depends on water temperature
Does dehydrated pasta have to be cooked again to rehydrate properly, or can the pasta be rehydrated by simply adding water? If so, does hot water have to be used?
Dehydrated pasta can be rehydrated with hot or cold water. It is quicker with warm or hot water, though. If you are making a cold pasta salad you can put the ingregients in a sealable container with cold water about 30-60 minutes before mealtime and enjoy.
What kind of shelf life can I safely expect with this method? Thanks
Hi Sean! If pasta properly dried and stored it can last for years!
is the measurement for the pasta before or after it’s been cooked and dehydrated? or is it the same either way?
Hi, Tracy! Cooked and dehydrated pasta has almost the same measurments as uncooked, but takes less time to prepare.
To rehydrate, is it a 1-to-1 ratio of pasta to water?
Yep. I use this ratio for almost all food I rehydrate. You can always add more water later to get the consistency you want.
Could you dehydrate your cooked pasta on pasta drying racks?
Hi,Cynthia! The room temperature is not enough for drying cooked pasta. To prevent spoiling and bacteria growth, you need to dehydrate pasta in dehydrator or in the oven.
Hi i have a question my oven only goes as low as 170F is that ok ??
Hi Shanna! Yes, that’s ok. Just keep the oven’s door open for a few inches and be sure to flip the foods over several times throughout the drying process.
Thanks for these easy and straightforward instructions and time/temperature guidelines. I needed them today! 🙂
Thanks, Nancy!