How to Cook Pasta
Choose which pasta you want to cook., Fill a large pot 2/3 of the way with water., Turn the knob on the stove to high. , Add salt if desired., Wait for the water to boil. , Add pasta to the water and stir with a long spoon., Turn down the stove...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Choose which pasta you want to cook.
Try to pick one that suits the sauce well.
It's best to use pasta that is a brand from Italy and is made of 100% durum wheat semolina. , This will ensure that the water doesn't spill when it's boiling.
Don’t under-fill the pot; this will make the pasta sticky.
There should be a generous water-to-pasta ratio.
To reduce your wait time, add hot water. ,, For a large pot of water, 1 or 2 tablespoons of salt should be sufficient. ,, Take care that the pasta doesn't stick to the bottom, especially when you first add it.
Since it can be hard to estimate just how much pasta you need, read the package for serving suggestions.
If there aren’t any, read the Nutrition Facts for the number of servings per container and divvy up the dry noodles accordingly.
If you’re cooking for two, a full package of pasta can usually make a full meal with leftovers. , Do not cover the pot; traditional Italian pasta is cooked without a lid. , Alternatively, under-cook the pasta by 2-3 minutes (the outsides should be cooked while the centers should be hard), then turn off the stove, set the pot on another (cool) burner, and cover for 10-15 minutes.
This will slow-cook the centers of the pasta, making them al dente instead of soggy. , If it's too hard to bite or if you see white in the center, it needs to cook a little longer.
When it's cooked all the way through but still firm, it's ready.
This is referred to as al dente (“to the tooth”) in Italian. , Tilt the pot away from yourself so you don’t get a face full of steam, which is even hotter than the boiling water. , Be sure not to put the pot back onto the hot part of the stove, which can burn the bare pasta. , While this will keep the noodles from sticking, it can also create a barrier between the noodle and the sauce you add, making the results less flavorful. , See several recipes below for ideas. , -
Step 2: Fill a large pot 2/3 of the way with water.
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Step 3: Turn the knob on the stove to high.
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Step 4: Add salt if desired.
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Step 5: Wait for the water to boil.
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Step 6: Add pasta to the water and stir with a long spoon.
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Step 7: Turn down the stove slightly
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Step 8: continue to boil the pasta
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Step 9: and stir every so often to prevent sticking.
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Step 10: When it's been boiling for about 8-10 minutes (check the package for suggested cooking time)
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Step 11: take a piece of the pasta out and allow it to cool.
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Step 12: Bite into the pasta.
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Step 13: Turn off the stove and empty the entire pot of pasta into a strainer.
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Step 14: Shake out the excess water and then pour the pasta back into the pot.
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Step 15: Add a tablespoon of olive oil and toss (optional).
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Step 16: Cover with your favorite sauce and shake it (inside the hot pot).
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Step 17: Add grated parmesan cheese
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Step 18: fresh parsley or basil leaves
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Step 19: or other garnishes as desired.
Detailed Guide
Try to pick one that suits the sauce well.
It's best to use pasta that is a brand from Italy and is made of 100% durum wheat semolina. , This will ensure that the water doesn't spill when it's boiling.
Don’t under-fill the pot; this will make the pasta sticky.
There should be a generous water-to-pasta ratio.
To reduce your wait time, add hot water. ,, For a large pot of water, 1 or 2 tablespoons of salt should be sufficient. ,, Take care that the pasta doesn't stick to the bottom, especially when you first add it.
Since it can be hard to estimate just how much pasta you need, read the package for serving suggestions.
If there aren’t any, read the Nutrition Facts for the number of servings per container and divvy up the dry noodles accordingly.
If you’re cooking for two, a full package of pasta can usually make a full meal with leftovers. , Do not cover the pot; traditional Italian pasta is cooked without a lid. , Alternatively, under-cook the pasta by 2-3 minutes (the outsides should be cooked while the centers should be hard), then turn off the stove, set the pot on another (cool) burner, and cover for 10-15 minutes.
This will slow-cook the centers of the pasta, making them al dente instead of soggy. , If it's too hard to bite or if you see white in the center, it needs to cook a little longer.
When it's cooked all the way through but still firm, it's ready.
This is referred to as al dente (“to the tooth”) in Italian. , Tilt the pot away from yourself so you don’t get a face full of steam, which is even hotter than the boiling water. , Be sure not to put the pot back onto the hot part of the stove, which can burn the bare pasta. , While this will keep the noodles from sticking, it can also create a barrier between the noodle and the sauce you add, making the results less flavorful. , See several recipes below for ideas. ,
About the Author
Melissa Jimenez
Professional writer focused on creating easy-to-follow lifestyle tutorials.
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