Pasta, Reborn

As a defiant response to Sad Desk Lunches, the Food52 team works to keep our midday meals both interesting and pretty -- even if they're eaten while our eyes are on the screen. Each week, we'll be sharing our happiest desk lunches -- and we want to see yours, too.

Today, Kristen shares her strategy for giving day-old pasta new life.

Kristen says:
Pasta ought to be the perfect Not Sad Desk Lunch -- chances are, you've got some leftover from dinner last night. But after a night in the fridge, noodles tend to go dry and clumpy -- eating them cold works, but it's a little sad.

But with some sprucing, your faded pasta can be restored. Take Merrill's bright, springy Penne with Herb Butter and Peas. On day 1, we devoured all but one bowl. On day 2, I warmed the lingering Tupperware up in the microwave -- your office has a microwave, right? -- with a tiny bit of water to keep it from drying out. Then I jolted it back to life with more of the same herb butter and a squeeze of lemon. Also big sheets of Parmesan cheese for a little protein. I was not sad.

Tell us: how do you repurpose up day-old pasta?

Photo by Kristen Miglore