Steaming Pasta Perfection: The Ultimate Guide To Using Your Oven

Cooking pasta in a steam oven is a convenient method that uses less water than boiling on a stovetop and has no risk of boiling over. The pasta cooks hands-free, and because it's cooked with less water, the starch on the outside of the pasta isn't as diluted as with traditional boiling methods. This helps the pasta hold on to sauce. To cook pasta in a steam oven, first assemble your ingredients. Place the pasta in a pan and pour over enough hot tap water to cover the pasta by about a quarter to a half an inch. Season with salt to taste. Preheat your steam oven to 212°F (100°C). Load the pan of pasta into the oven and cook for around 20 minutes. Remove the pasta from the oven, drain any remaining water, and serve with your favourite sauce.

Cooking Pasta in a Steam Oven

Preheat the oven and pan preparation

To cook pasta in a steam oven, you'll first need to preheat your oven and prepare your pan. Preheat your oven to 212°F (100°C) in steam mode. While the oven is preheating, assemble your pasta in a pan. Place your desired amount of pasta in a sheet pan or baking dish. The pan should just be large enough to hold the pasta in a single layer. Pour over hot tap water to cover the pasta by about a quarter to a half an inch. You can season with salt to taste.

The type of pasta and the shape of the pan you use will affect the cooking process. Long pasta shapes like spaghetti and linguine are best cooked in a 9- by 13-inch baking dish, while short pastas like elbows are better suited for a deep, round cast iron skillet. Small pastas like orzo cook faster than spaghetti, so you'll need to start checking on them after about 18 minutes. This method is not ideal for large tube pastas such as rigatoni.

Cooking times and temperatures

The cooking times and temperatures for pasta in a steam oven will vary depending on the type of pasta you are cooking. For small pastas like orzo, start checking at 18 minutes. For long pasta shapes like spaghetti and linguine, cook for 20 to 22 minutes. For short pasta shapes like elbows, you can expect a cooking time of around 20 minutes. The oven temperature should be set to 212°F (100°C) in steam mode.

When cooking pasta in a steam oven, it's important to use a deep dish and cover the pasta with enough water. The water level should be about a half-inch above the pasta. You can also season the water with salt to taste.

For al dente pasta, it is crucial to keep an eye on the cooking time and not overcook the pasta. Different types of pasta will have slightly different cooking times, so it's always good to check the package instructions as a reference point.

If you are making a sauce to go with your pasta, like a beef ragu, the cooking time and temperature will vary. For example, a beef ragu sauce might require a preheated oven combi setting of 170°C for 2.5 hours. In this case, you would want to start cooking the pasta 10-15 minutes before the sauce is done so that they finish cooking at the same time.

Remember that the cooking times and temperatures provided are guidelines, and the specific settings may need to be adjusted slightly depending on your oven and the environmental conditions. Always keep an eye on your pasta to ensure it is cooked to your desired doneness.

Rinsing and seasoning

Once you've cooked your pasta in the steam oven, it's important to rinse and season it properly to ensure it tastes delicious. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving perfect results:

Rinsing:

• After removing the cooked pasta from the oven, carefully pour the contents into a colander. The colander will catch the cooked pasta, allowing the water to drain away.
• Rinse the cooked pasta with cold water. This stops the cooking process and helps to cool down the pasta. It is important to do this quickly to prevent overcooking, which can make the pasta mushy and less appetizing.
• Shake the colander gently to remove excess water from the pasta. You don't want the pasta to be dripping wet, but a little moisture will help the seasoning stick.

Seasoning:

• Return the rinsed pasta to the original pan. This pan still has some residual heat, which will help keep the pasta warm while you season it.
• Drizzle a small amount of olive oil over the pasta. The oil will help the seasoning stick to the pasta and add a subtle flavour.
• Lightly season the pasta with salt. You can adjust the amount of salt to your taste preferences, but it's important not to overseason, as this can be corrected later if needed.
• If desired, add any additional seasonings or herbs that complement your dish. For example, a sprinkle of dried oregano or basil can enhance the flavour of the pasta.
• Toss the pasta gently to ensure each strand or piece is evenly coated with oil and seasoning. Use a pair of tongs or a large spoon for this step.

Your pasta is now ready to be served as a side dish or combined with your favourite sauce!

Reheating pasta

To reheat pasta in a combi steam oven, first, adjust the settings to balance humidity, steam, and heat. You can use a dedicated reheat function if your oven has one, or adjust the settings manually. For pasta, a temperature between 120°C and 140°C is recommended, with a steam level of around 40% to 60%. If your pasta has a lot of sauce or toppings, you may want to reduce the steam level to 20%-30% to avoid sogginess.

Next, portion out your pasta into an oven-safe dish. For a single serving of pasta, reheating will take at least 10 minutes. If you're reheating a dense, layered pasta dish, increase the time to around 15 minutes. For larger dishes or multiple portions, you may need up to 20-30 minutes.

One of the benefits of using a combi steam oven is that you can reheat multiple plates or bowls at once without increasing the reheating time. This makes it a more efficient option than a microwave, especially when reheating food for a group.

If you're reheating frozen pasta, you can use the steam function to defrost it first. Set your oven to a low temperature, around 40°C, and place the frozen pasta in the oven. You can defrost the pasta in its container, or remove the lid to speed up the process.

Once your pasta is defrosted or heated through, it's ready to enjoy!

Sauces and accompaniments

Steaming pasta is a convenient method that uses less water than boiling and has no risk of boiling over. It also cooks hands-free and helps the pasta hold onto sauce.

When it comes to sauces and accompaniments, the options are endless. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Meaty Marinara Sauce: Combine ground beef, onions, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Add marinara sauce and stir to combine. This sauce is perfect for pasta bakes or served with baked pasta.
• Beef Ragu: For a hearty ragu, saute onions and garlic with dried oregano. Add fresh and crushed tomatoes, beef stock, and seasoning. Bring to a boil, then add beef bones and cook in the oven. Remove the meat from the bones and toss with the cooked pasta. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese.
• Cheesy Topping: For an indulgent touch, mix ricotta, Parmesan, an egg, and mozzarella cheese. Add dollops of this mixture on top of your baked pasta, along with extra meat sauce. Bake until bubbly and brown.
• Garlic Bread: As an accompaniment, garlic bread is a classic choice. You can make it even more decadent by adding cheese to it.
• Salads: A fresh salad can be a great side dish to balance out the heartiness of the pasta. Try a simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing, or get creative with ingredients like tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and feta cheese.
• Vegetables: Roasted or steamed vegetables can also be a great side dish. Options like broccoli, asparagus, or carrots are always a good choice.
• Pesto: For a change from tomato-based sauces, try making a fresh basil pesto. Simply blend basil leaves, olive oil, pine nuts, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. Toss this with your pasta and top with shaved Parmesan and cherry tomatoes.
• Alfredo Sauce: For a creamy option, make an alfredo sauce by heating butter, cream, and garlic. Add Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper. Toss with your pasta and top with chopped parsley.

Frequently asked questions