Can You Reheat Tuna Pasta Bake?
Tuna pasta bake is not only really easy to make, but it’s an affordable dinner as well! It’s so quick and simple to whip up a big batch of tuna pasta bake for dinner and save some to enjoy for lunch the next day.
But can you reheat tuna pasta bake? Yes, you can reheat tuna pasta bake, either in the oven or the microwave. The oven is best for reheating it properly. It will leave the pasta bake tasting almost the same as it did when it was first baked.
Below is a guide on how to reheat tuna pasta bake in the oven and in the microwave, and the best way to do so to ensure that it turns out just as delicious the second time around.
Reheating Tuna Pasta Bake in the Oven – The Best Way
Reheating tuna pasta bake in the oven is the best way to go. In fact, it’s the best way to reheat any pasta. We have another article on how to reheat baked ziti that proves it!
It might not be as quick as reheating the tuna pasta bake in the microwave, but it gets the job done properly and reheats the tuna pasta bake evenly throughout.
When reheating tuna pasta bake in the oven, you will have to add some extra moisture to ensure that it does not dry out.
By doing this, you’ll be able to get some sauce with the pasta and tuna, and not just crispy, dried pasta and hard pieces of tuna.
Here is how to reheat tuna pasta bake in the oven:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Spoon out the tuna pasta bake into an oven-safe dish if you are not reheating it in its original oven dish.
- Add one or two tablespoons of water or chicken stock to the pasta bake, drizzling it over the top, to add in some moisture.
- If you want, add some more grated cheese to the top of the tuna pasta bake.
- Cover the dish with a lid or with some aluminum foil.
- Place the tuna pasta bake into the oven and leave it to reheat.
- Check the pasta bake after 10 minutes. If needed, re-cover with the aluminum foil or lid and place back in the oven for another 5 minutes.
- Remove the aluminum foil and place the tuna pasta bake in the oven for a further 5 minutes for the cheese to crisp up a bit.
By adding some chicken stock or water to the tuna pasta bake, and covering it with some aluminum foil or a lid, you create steam. This steam helps to reheat the tuna pasta bake evenly and prevents it from drying out.
Pros
Reheating tuna pasta bake in the oven is the best way to prevent it from drying out, and to heat it evenly and thoroughly. When heated in the oven, you won’t have cold and hot spots in each mouthful of your pasta.
You are also able to crisp up the cheese on the top of the tuna pasta bake if you add some in, which is always delicious!
Cons
The one downside to reheating tuna pasta bake in the oven is that it will take longer than reheating it in the microwave. You will need to wait for the oven to heat up first, then leave the pasta in the oven for some time.
However, if you plan ahead, this shouldn’t be a problem!
Reheating Tuna Pasta Bake in the Microwave
If you are looking for a quick and easy way to reheat tuna pasta bake, then you should do so in the microwave.
By not following the below steps, your tuna pasta bake will dry out and not heat through properly in the microwave, and there is a good chance you will have tuna pasta bake splattered all over the inside of your microwave.
Here is the best way to reheat tuna pasta bake in the microwave:
- Place the tuna pasta bake in a microwave-safe bowl.
- If the pasta looks like it has dried out a bit in the fridge, add in some water or some chicken stock to the dish for extra moisture.
- Cover the bowl with a fitted lid or wrap some microwave-safe plastic wrap over the top of the dish.
- Place the microwave onto medium-high and leave the pasta bake to heat up for up to 3 minutes.
- Remove the pasta bake from the microwave and slowly pull away the plastic wrap or lid, remember that there will be a lot of hot steam so do this carefully.
- Stir the pasta and place it back in the microwave for another minute until it is piping hot.
Just like with the oven, the chicken stock or water and the lid or plastic wrap helps to keep the tuna pasta bake moist and prevents it from drying out. It steams the pasta in the dish to ensure that it heats up evenly.
By heating up the pasta, removing it, stirring it, and reheating it again, you are making sure that all of the pasta is piping hot when it is done in the microwave, and there are no icy cold spots.
Pros
The microwave offers a quick and easy way to reheat tuna pasta bake, and you don’t have to wait for anything to heat up before placing the tuna pasta bake in the microwave to heat up.
For when you want to quickly heat up your tuna pasta bake for an easy lunch, the microwave is the best option.
Cons
Reheating tuna pasta bake in the microwave comes with a few risks. Depending on your microwave, it might not heat up the tuna pasta bake evenly, and you could be left with some really hot spots and others that are still cold.
Microwaves are also great at drying out sauces and bakes, so you will have to add in some moisture in the form of chicken stock or water to prevent this from happening.
You also won’t be able to crisp up any cheese on the top of the tuna pasta bake in the microwave.
Which Is the Best Option?
The best option to use to reheat tuna pasta bake would be in the oven. It gives the most consistent heating and ensures that the whole tuna pasta bake is heated evenly.
You will need to preheat the oven, but this really doesn’t take too long, and it is worth the wait.
Adding some extra moisture to the tuna pasta bake before putting it in the oven helps to ensure that it is moist and saucy when reheated and that it is not dried out.
Remember to cover the dish with aluminum foil or a lid when reheating it in the oven to help it steam and to prevent it from drying out.
You are also able to crisp up any cheese on the top of the tuna pasta bake – and you can add in some extra toppings to make it extra cheesy and enjoyable the second time around!
Related Questions
How Long Does Tuna Pasta Bake Keep in the Fridge?
Once cooked, allow the tuna pasta bake to come to room temperature before placing it in an airtight container to be placed in the fridge.
The tuna pasta bake can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days, and any leftovers should be discarded after this.
If you reheat any of the tuna pasta bake, you will have to eat what you have reheated, as once it has been reheated, it cannot be placed back into the fridge.
The risk of bacterial growth is too high if food is reheated more than once, and it is not worth the risk of food poisoning!
Can You Eat Cold Tuna Pasta Bake?
Yes, you can eat tuna pasta bake cold the next day. Tuna pasta bake actually tastes delicious cold, which makes it an ideal leftover lunch to pack for work or school.
Store any leftovers from dinner in an airtight container in the fridge and eat the pasta bake within 2-3 days.
Can I Reheat Tuna Pasta Bake on the Stovetop?
You can reheat tuna pasta bake on the stovetop if you cannot use an oven or microwave.
You will need to break the tuna pasta bake down a bit to have it sit evenly in a saucepan, and stir it often so that it does not stick to the bottom of the pan.
You can add in some chicken stock or water, about a tablespoon or two, to prevent the pasta from drying out, and to allow the pasta to steam as it heats.
Cover the saucepan with a lid and have it reheat on medium-low until it has heated through.
