How can I keep my pasta from absorbing all the sauce when... ?

Question

I cook it the day before or for a casserole? The pasta is always too soft and mushy.

Answer 1

Make sure you cook the pasta just short of al dente (meaning the pasta should still have a bite to it and be basically par cooked). Then, when you add the sauce ...which I'm guessing would be hot ...will continue the cooking process to be finished off in the oven. Then your otherwise fabu casserole will not turn in to a pool of mushy goo.

Answer 2

the best advice would be to not cook the pasta until you're ready to serve, or to finish your casserole.  

Answer 3

Pasta is like a sponge, soaking up liquid is what it does. The only way to keep it from getting soggy is to cook the pasta a day before but do not add the sauce until you are ready to serve it. Or if you make a casserole or the dish a day ahead, do not cook the pasta completely (still a little hard). The pasta will continue to soften with the sauce in the fridge.