Reames frozen egg noodles are a convenient and tasty pasta option that only takes a few minutes to prepare. With just boiling water and a strainer, you can have a hot, delicious side dish or base for any pasta meal in less than 10 minutes. These noodles are pre-cooked so they just need to be heated through fully before serving. Follow these simple steps to cook Reames frozen egg noodles perfectly every time.
What are Reames frozen egg noodles?
Reames frozen egg noodles are made from just three simple ingredients – enriched flour, whole eggs, and salt. They contain no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Reames noodles come packaged in 1 pound bags and can be found in the frozen food aisle at most grocery stores. They are a refrigerated egg noodle product, meaning they must stay frozen until you are ready to cook them.
Some key features of Reames frozen egg noodles:
– Wide ribbon shape cut
– Made with whole eggs for a rich, eggy flavor
– Have a nice firm bite when cooked al dente
– Are pre-cooked so they just require boiling to heat through
– Have a shelf life of 1 year when kept frozen
– Come in convenient 1 pound bags
Reames noodles are a good choice if you are looking for an easy way to prepare homemade tasting pasta without all the work. Their classic egg noodle flavor pairs well with any pasta sauce or they can be used in pasta salads, casseroles and more.
What do you need to cook Reames frozen egg noodles?
Cooking Reames frozen noodles requires just a few simple kitchen tools and ingredients:
Tools Needed
– Pot – A medium sized pot with a fitted lid, at least 4 quarts. This allows room for the noodles to move freely while cooking.
– Colander or strainer – To drain the noodles after cooking
– Oven mitts or pot holders – To safely handle the hot pot when draining
– Measuring cups – To measure out the right amount of water
– Wooden spoon or tongs – For stirring and handling the noodles
Ingredients Needed
– Water – 4 quarts of water per 1 pound of frozen noodles
– Salt – 1 tablespoon per pound of noodles (optional)
– Reames frozen egg noodles – 1 pound
Step-by-step instructions
Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked Reames frozen egg noodles every time:
Step 1 – Bring water to a boil
Fill a 4 quart pot about 3/4 full with water. Place on the stove over high heat and bring to a full rolling boil. You want plenty of rapidly boiling water to cook the noodles evenly.
Step 2 – Add salt to the boiling water (optional)
Adding some salt to the boiling water can help enhance the flavor of the noodles. Use about 1 tablespoon of salt per pound of frozen noodles. Table salt or kosher salt will both work. The salt is optional but recommended.
Step 3 – Add the frozen noodles
Once the water is boiling rapidly, add the 1 pound block of frozen Reames egg noodles. You can add them frozen, you do not need to thaw them first. Gently stir and separate the noodles with a wooden spoon or tongs as they soften in the water.
Step 4 – Cook for 5-7 minutes
Set a timer and cook the noodles for 5-7 minutes, gently stirring occasionally. Since the noodles are pre-cooked, they just need to be heated through fully. Different sizes and shapes may vary slightly in timing.
Step 5 – Test for doneness
After 5-7 minutes, test a noodle to make sure it is fully heated through. It should be hot in temperature and cooked throughout but still have a nice al dente bite, not mushy. If needed, cook for 1-2 more minutes until the desired doneness is reached.
Step 6 – Drain immediately
As soon as the noodles are done, immediately drain them in a colander set in the sink. Be careful as the water will be very hot. Allow the noodles to drain for 10-15 seconds.
Step 7 – Rinse with cool water (optional)
If you want to stop the cooking process fully, you can give the cooked noodles a quick 5-10 second rinse under cool water. This stops carryover cooking. Shake off any excess water.
Step 8 – Use noodles immediately or chill
For best texture and flavor, use the cooked Reames noodles right away in your desired recipe. If chilling for later use, drain well, then seal in an airtight container and refrigerate up to 5 days.
Tips for best results
– Use at least 4 quarts of water per 1 pound of noodles to allow even cooking
– Bring the water to a rapid boil before adding noodles
– Stir noodles gently to prevent sticking and break up any clumps
– Test doneness early and drain immediately once cooked through
– Don’t overcook or the noodles may get gummy in texture
How to know when they’re done
It can be tricky to know when frozen noodles are fully cooked without overdoing it. Here are some signs to look for so you can pull them at just the right time:
– They are hot throughout and have lost any icy patches when bitten into
– The noodles are firm but not hard or crunchy
– They have a nice al dente bite but are not stiff or tough
– When squeezed gently between fingers, the noodles feel pliable but not mushy
– The surface looks moist but not dry and they appear swollen after cooking
– The noodle’s texture will be smooth and tender, not rubbery
Always start checking frozen noodles at least 2 minutes before the minimum cook time to account for any variables. It’s better to slightly undercook than overcook.
Serving suggestions
Reames frozen egg noodles are very versatile. They can be incorporated into recipes or served simply with a few flavorful additions. Here are some serving suggestions:
As a side dish
– Toss noodles with a pat of butter or drizzle of olive oil, salt, pepper and chopped parsley
– Top noodles with grated parmesan, garlic, olive oil and crushed red pepper
– Toss noodles with pesto or alfredo sauce for a creamy and flavorful side
In soups
– Use in chicken noodle soup, beef and barley soup, minestrone
– Add to wonton or egg drop soup for heartiness
– Float in vegetable beef soup or tomato soup
In salads
– Chill and add to pasta or antipasto salad
– Toss with ham, cheese cubes, sliced hard boiled eggs, veggies
– Mix with tuna or chicken salad
In casseroles and bakes
– Make lasagna with ricotta, tomato sauce and mozzarella
– Use in pasta bakes like ziti and baked spaghetti
– Add to egg bakes like stratas and frittatas
– Include in casseroles and pot pies
Storage instructions
Like any perishable food, proper storage is important for safety and quality. Here are some storage guidelines for Reames frozen egg noodles:
– Store unopened packages in the freezer at 0°F or below
– Use within 1 year for best quality and follow any date labels
– Once opened, reseal package tightly and use within a few months
– Cooked noodles can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 5 days
– Do not refreeze previously frozen noodles after cooking
– For longer storage, cooked noodles can be frozen up to 2-3 months
– Thaw frozen cooked noodles in the refrigerator before reheating gently
Nutrition facts
One serving or about 2 ounces (56g) of cooked Reames egg noodles contains approximately:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 110 |
| Fat | 1g |
| Carbohydrates | 22g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Sugar | 1g |
| Protein | 4g |
| Sodium | 280mg |
As you can see, Reames frozen egg noodles are low in fat, high in carbohydrates and contain no fiber or added sugar. They make a good choice as part of a balanced diet.
Egg noodle substitution options
If you don’t have Reames frozen egg noodles on hand, here are some good substitution options:
– Dried egg noodles – Use a 4 oz portion of uncooked dried egg noodles for every 1 pound frozen. Adjust cooking time as needed.
– Refrigerated fresh egg noodles – About 12-16 oz substitutes for 1 pound frozen.
– Other frozen pasta – Look for frozen varieties made with just flour and egg. Adjust shape as needed.
– Homemade egg noodles – Make your own using flour, egg, salt and water. Roll and cut into shapes.
– Regular pasta – Any shape like spaghetti, penne or farfalle can work. The flavor and texture will be a little different than egg noodles though.
– Rice noodles or pasta – For something gluten-free, try rice noodles or pasta shapes. The look and texture varies quite a bit from traditional noodles.
Get as close as you can to the original egg noodle shape and ingredients when substituting for best results. But in most pasta dishes or casseroles, another type of noodle will still work fine.
Common questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about cooking Reames frozen egg noodles:
Do you thaw frozen egg noodles before cooking?
No, you can add them frozen directly to boiling water to cook. Make sure there is plenty of water for even cooking.
Can you overcook frozen egg noodles?
Yes, it’s possible to overcook them past the ideal tender yet firm al dente texture. Start testing for doneness early and remove from heat immediately once fully heated through.
Do you rinse cooked frozen egg noodles?
You can rinse them briefly in cool water to stop the cooking process but this isn’t required. Just drain well after cooking.
Can you refreeze cooked Reames frozen egg noodles?
It’s not recommended to refreeze noodles after cooking as the texture changes. Refrigerate leftovers and use within a few days or freeze uncooked noodles only.
Do Reames frozen egg noodles contain egg?
Yes, Reames noodles list whole eggs in their ingredients. They have a rich egg flavor and yellow color.
Are Reames frozen egg noodles gluten-free?
No, they contain wheat flour so are not gluten-free. They contain gluten which gives the noodles their signature chewy texture.
Do you add oil to the cooking water for frozen noodles?
Adding oil isn’t necessary and can prevent sauce from sticking to the noodles later on. Simply cook in water with an optional addition of salt.
Conclusion
Cooking Reames frozen egg noodles couldn’t be easier. With just boiling water, a strainer, and 5-7 minutes, you can have perfect al dente noodles ready to be turned into delicious pasta dishes. Follow the package instructions for exact times but always start checking earlier for doneness. Drain immediately once cooked through. Reames noodles have an old-fashioned egg noodle taste and pleasing texture. Keep them on hand for quick weeknight meals or Italian-inspired dishes.