Perfect for a satisfying hiking meal

Dehydrating food is a great way to make lightweight and portable meals for hiking. You can dehydrate a variety of foods like fruits, vegetables, meats, and even complete dishes like stews, pasta or chili. Just make sure to follow proper food safety guidelines, start with a clean work surface and invest in a good food dehydrator for best results.

This dehydrated pasta recipe is perfect for a satisfying and lightweight hiking meal. By dehydrating the ingredients ahead of time, you’ll save on weight and space in your backpack. This recipe features a vegetarian option but includes suggestions for adding meat for extra protein.

Dehydrated pasta meal for hiking

Ingredients:

225g pasta (choose a type that cooks quickly)
1 cup dehydrated vegetables (options: peas, carrots, bell peppers, corn, etc.)
1/2 cup dehydrated mushrooms
1/4 cup dehydrated onions
1/4 cup dehydrated tomato sauce (see note below)
2 tablespoons dried basil
2 tablespoons dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried garlic powder
1 tablespoon dried parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for topping)
1/4 cup chopped beef jerky or dehydrated ground beef (optional, for meat)

Note on Dehydrated Tomato Sauce: To make dehydrated tomato sauce, simply spread a thin layer of tomato sauce (from a can or homemade) on a dehydrator tray lined with parchment paper or a silicone drying sheet. Dehydrate it at 57°C until it becomes brittle and easily breaks apart. Then, blend or crush it into a powder.

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Pasta: Boil the pasta in a pot of water until it’s just undercooked (about 1-2 minutes less than the recommended cooking time on the package). Drain the pasta.

2. Dehydrate the Pasta: Spread the cooked pasta on dehydrator trays in a single layer, making sure they don’t overlap.
– Dehydrate the pasta at 57°C until it becomes brittle and breaks apart easily. This can take several hours, so plan accordingly.

3. Dehydrate the Ingredients: While the pasta is dehydrating, prepare the vegetables, mushrooms, and onions. Spread them on separate dehydrator trays. Dehydrate each ingredient at 52°C until they are completely dry and crispy. This may take 6-8 hours, depending on your dehydrator.

4. Assemble the Dehydrated Pasta Meal: Once all the ingredients are dehydrated, combine them in a large bowl. Add the dried basil, oregano, garlic powder, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well. If you’re including meat, add the chopped beef jerky or dehydrated ground beef at this stage.

5. Package for the Hike: Portion the dehydrated pasta meal into individual serving sizes, using a vacuum sealer or resealable bags. Label the bags with cooking instructions and any necessary information.

6. Cooking on the Trail:

To cook the meal on the trail, bring water to a boil in a camp stove.
Pour enough boiling water over the dehydrated pasta meal to cover it completely.
Stir well, ensuring all ingredients are submerged.
Cover and let it sit for about 10-15 minutes, or until the pasta and ingredients have rehydrated and softened.
If you have a cozy or insulated pouch, place the meal in it to retain heat and aid in the rehydration process.

7. Enjoy: Stir the meal one more time, and if desired, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese before serving.

This dehydrated pasta meal is a hearty and satisfying option for your hiking adventures, providing essential carbohydrates and a variety of flavors to keep you fueled and energised on the trail. Feel free to customise this recipe with your favorite ingredients and meat options to suit your taste preferences.