To say pasta is popular worldwide is nothing short of an understatement. It enjoys a fanatical fanbase which swears by it. One of the most popular traditional pasta dishes is fettuccine Alfredo. The thin flat pasta noodles cooked with a dairy-based sauce is a beloved meal of many. Reheating fettuccine Alfredo is something many of us would have at the very least considered. There are also a few problems to contend with when reheating fettuccine Alfredo. The good news is it’s not impossible to do so. Before we talk about reheating methods let’s talk about exactly what goes into fettuccine Alfredo and how to store it properly.
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Fettuccine Alfredo
Fettuccine is an Italian pasta noodle that was popularised in Roman and Tuscan regions. The word fettuccine means little ribbons in Italian which matches the thin flat shape of the noodles. Traditionally fettuccine is made from egg and flour. Traditional Alfredo sauce is a simple white/cream sauce made by combining butter, double cream, and parmesan cheese. The Alfredo sauce is said to have been invented by Alfredo di Lelio in Rome in 1892. Alfredo di Lelio worked in a restaurant that was located in piazza Rosa which happened to be run by his mother Angelina. Di Lelio created a dish called “fettuccine al triplo burro” (triple butter fettuccine). Alfredo sauce is today sold as a ready to mix the sauce in grocery stores in many countries. These days you may find that Alfredo has changed from its humble cheese and cream origins and you will find formulations thickened with eggs or starch. The main ingredients in modern Alfredo sauces are butter, cream, garlic, herbs and Parmesan cheese.
Storing Your Fettuccine Alfredo
To have the best chance of a good reheating experience with your fettuccine Alfredo you will want to store it properly. We will assume instructions for mixed fettuccine Alfredo and not fettuccine separate from Alfredo sauce. The first rule you want to adhere with any cooked food is not to leave it out at room temperature for more than 2 hours after cooking. Room temperature is a real sweet spot for most food bacteria. The best way to store your fettuccine Alfredo is in shallow airtight plastic containers or resealable freezer bags preferably heavy duty. You can easily store fettuccine Alfredo in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. You also have the opportunity to freeze fettuccine Alfredo. It stores well for around 1 to 2 months. When thawing your fettuccine Alfredo it’s best to do so in the fridge for 24 hours before reheating.
How To Tell If It’s Rancid
It’s very difficult to tell if your Alfredo sauce has gone rancid just by looking at and while it’s frozen. It will look a little yellow while frozen. When the Alfredo sauce has fully thawed the easiest way to tell if it has gone bad is by checking its aroma. If there’s a bitterness to the smell it may have gone bad. If the smell is heavy like blue cheese you likely have a rancid sauce. A light smell may not be indicative this and you can taste it on the tongue. If it tastes bitter, sour or tangy then the sauce is rancid and you should rather discard it than use it.
Reheating Fettuccine Alfredo On The Stovetop
You can easily reheat fettuccine Alfredo on the stovetop and all you need to do this is saucepan or a pan. The elements of the Alfredo sauce may separate in the fridge or the thawing process. Not to worry this method will return the Alfredo sauce to its original quality. Place the fettuccine Alfredo in your pan or saucepan and bring to medium heat on the stove. Stir very gently, the fettuccine noodles may have soaked up the moisture from the Alfredo sauce this will make them fragile and you want to avoid breaking them up. Gently stir to spread the heat. When the fettuccine Alfredo shows signs of being hot you can add either cream, half and half or Alfredo sauce to reintroduce some of the moisture that may have been soaked up. The continuous stirring will help mix back together with the elements of your Alfredo sauce that may have separated in storage.
Reheating Fettuccine Alfredo In The Oven
You also have the option of reheating fettuccine Alfredo in the oven. You will need a glass or ceramic oven dish to pull this off. In the oven dish lay your Fettucine Alfredo out evenly. Now preheat the oven to 190 degrees Celsius. While you wait for the oven, add a little water to the fettuccine Alfredo. About a tablespoon or two will suffice for 1 serving. Once the oven is hot cover your oven dish with aluminium foil and place in the oven. After 10 minutes remove from the oven, open and stir. Return for another 10 minutes. Remove once again and stir. If you don’t think it’s hot enough to eat put it in the oven for another 10 minutes. Your fettuccine is reheated and ready to eat after this.
Reheating Fettuccine Alfredo In a Hot Water Bath
Using a hot bath method can also reheat your fettuccine Alfredo with great results. You will need a glass bowl and pot that can fit your glass bowl comfortably. In the glass bowl, you will put your fettuccine Alfredo. In the pot, you will put hot water. You need your water around halfway up the sides of the bowl. Gently stir the fettuccine Alfredo. The slow heating method of a hot bath helps to blend back together the cream and the oily elements of your fettuccine Alfredo which may have separated.
You have 3 great ways to reheat your fettuccine Alfredo. You can use the oven, stovetop or a hot bath. In any case, the idea is to gently reheat your fettuccine Alfredo while gently stirring to reintegrate the elements of the Alfredo sauce.
