To make dehydrated pasta, you must first cook it and strain it. Allow it to cool, then place your cooked pasta in a single layer on a food dehydrator tray. Let it dry in a food dehydrator for 6-12 hours at 135°F. Once completely dry, store in an airtight container.
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5 Reasons to Make Dehydrated Pasta
1. Absorbs Sauce Better
Dehydrated pasta is more porous than fresh pasta, and it absorbs sauces and oils better. This means you get a more balanced bite while eating it, with less mess!
2. Create Instant Meals
Create a batch of instant meals using your dehydrated pasta! Pair it with a powdered pasta sauce and some dried meat or veggies, and store them together in an airtight container. Rehydrate the meal with boiling water or broth.
3. Faster to Cook
Part of the drying process for dehydrated pasta is to cook it beforehand. This means rehydrating your stored pasta is much quicker (and uses less water) than cooking a new pot from scratch, making it handy to have around for days you need a quick meal.
4. Great for Outdoor Adventures
Dehydrated pasta is a lightweight food that is easy for hikers to carry and incorporate into backpacking meals.
The reason it’s such a great backpacking food is that the pasta absorbs the hot water it’s cooked in, and you don’t need to strain the water. It’s never been easier to get a hot meal on the go!
5. Longer Shelf Life
As with all dehydrated foods, one of the main benefits is a vastly longer shelf life than the fresh equivalent.
Fresh pasta will last a few days in the fridge, while dehydrated pasta (though requiring a little more prep time) can be stored for months or even years without spoiling.
How to Make Dehydrated Pasta with a Food Dehydrator
It’s easy to make dehydrated pasta with a food dehydrator, although some types of pasta are easier to dehydrate than others. For example, macaroni is easier than angel hair because macaroni can be spaced out evenly on food dehydrator trays.
Once you have your pasta, follow these steps to dehydrate it:
- First, cook your store-bought (or homemade) pasta. Cook in boiling water for as long as it says on the box (usually 5-10 minutes, depending on the type of pasta). Drain the pasta well.
- Submerge your cooked pasta in a cold water bath for a short time to halt the cooking process.
- Lay the cooked and cooled pasta on food dehydrator trays in a single layer. Ensure pieces of pasta do not overlap.
- Dry the pasta in a food dehydrator for 6-12 hours at 135°F. Dehydrating times can vary depending on the size and shape of the pasta.
- If you don’t have a dehydrator, steps 3 and 4 can be done in an oven. Lay the pasta on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and place it into an oven set to the lowest possible temperature. Prop the oven door open and check on it regularly, as drying times vary.
- Once your pasta is fully dehydrated, allow it to cool to room temperature.
- Store the dehydrated pasta in an airtight container in a cool, dark, and dry room for long-term storage.
What’s the Difference Between Dried Pasta and Dehydrated Pasta?
Dehydrated pasta is cooked pasta with the water content removed. It does not require additional cooking but must be rehydrated before being eaten.
Dried pasta is simply fresh pasta that has had the water removed. This is the type of pasta you find on grocery store shelves that still requires cooking before being eaten.
How Do You Rehydrate Dehydrated Pasta?
To rehydrate pasta, soak the dehydrated pasta in water. The ratio is 1:1, or equal parts of water to pasta.
Pasta can be rehydrated in boiling water or cold water. Both are effective, but boiling water will be faster and will warm the food, which will make it more pleasant to eat.
How Long Does it Take to Make Dehydrated Pasta?
The process of making dehydrated pasta takes between 6 and 12 hours. Prep time takes 10-15 minutes, and the rest of the time is drying time.
What Does Dehydrated Pasta Look and Taste Like?
Dehydrated pasta looks and tastes similar to dried pasta. Once rehydrated, it tastes imperceptible from any other form of cooked pasta, especially when added to a delicious pasta recipe.
Backpacking Recipe Ideas for Dehydrated Pasta
If you’re heading on a backpacking trip and need some inspiration, check out these fun recipe ideas:
1. Dehydrated Chili Macaroni and Cheese
Add dehydrated ground beef, beans, jalapenos, and tomato powder for an unbeatable backpacking meal. Top it with parmesan cheese and dehydrated avocado!
2. Dehydrated Pasta Primavera
Use colorful dehydrated summer veggies, butter powder, garlic powder, and dehydrated pasta to create a simple primavera dish. Add capers and your favorite dried herbs to kick up the flavor!
3. Soup in a Jar
Take a portion of your favorite dehydrated pasta and add it to a Mason jar. Top it with your favorite dehydrated meat, vegetables, and herbs in layers.
This build-your-own idea allows you to choose the flavors you like best and is perfect for when you need to use up some of the items in your pantry!