How should cooked and cooled pasta be stored?

Storing cooked and cooled pasta properly is essential for maintaining its quality and preventing spoilage. When pasta is covered with a damp cloth, it helps retain some moisture while also allowing for proper air circulation. This method prevents the pasta from drying out and becoming hard, which is essential for maintaining its texture when reheated.

Covering it with a damp cloth can also help to prevent contamination from other odors in the refrigerator. The damp cloth creates a barrier, helping to keep the pasta moist and fresh until it is ready to be used again. Additionally, this method can improve the reheating process by keeping the pasta slightly more tender.

On the other hand, storing pasta in water can lead to a soggy texture, which is not desirable. Storing it uncovered in the refrigerator would dry it out, leading to a hard, undesirable quality. Freezing pasta immediately can be appropriate for long-term storage, but it can also change its texture and isn't necessary unless it won't be used for a while. In most cases, for short-term storage, covering with a damp cloth is the best practice.