I have a way of making a hot dish with boiling my noodles in just the right amount of water and adding whatever I'm making to complete my meal... simple. But is there any harmful effects by not straining the water and adding the other ingredients later. I'm trying to save time, dishes and make things easy.

All I can think of is excess starch, which could make things gummy. But I'm no expert. ;-)

Not an expert here either, but I would think the noodles would be less firm or soggy if left in cooking water and not draining them. But probably no harmful effects in not straining them...

i doubt it ncty. all that you have added into the pan from the start is water and noodles? where would something bad come from? Nola is right in saying things might get gummy and sticky from the extra starch that comes out of the noodles (and into the water) when cooking, but other than that you should be fine.

One of my dinners I use is noodles cooked in water until tender and then a instant chicken gravey added to thicken and flavor the remaining water. Add a pouch of chicken breast and its not a bad dinner.

Nctry, I understand what you are trying to accomplish. Nothing harmful in the liquid from cooking your pasta.

If you want to ensure that your dish doesn't become gummy, you could add a touch more water and then when your pasta is tender, use a little cornstarch mixed with cold water to thicken it.

Cornstarch is a great trick to thicken things. Its very easy, light weight, and for the most part fool proof. Mixed with cold water and slowly added to boiling water it will thicken anything you are cooking. Just be careful to add it a little bit at a time and keep stirring.

Bring a 1/4 cup and you can thicken all your meals for your week. If used correctly.

Just a thought.

Thanks for the responses... My meals turn out good. I just wondered if it was needed to cook the noodles and then dehydrate them for any reason. Getting ahead of the game this year with the dehydrator. My food is all coming together nicely.