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How To Cook Pasta

Grab all of my top tips to learn how to cook pasta perfectly every time. A great option for a quick and easy weeknight meal when tossed in a simple homemade sauce, or use cold in pasta salads. This foolproof method guarantees the best results when cooking dried pasta at home.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 280 kcal
Course: Side Dish , Condiments
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 5 quarts water
  • 1 Tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 pound dried pasta

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Fill a large pot with water and bring water to a full boil over high heat. Stir in the salt until dissolved.
  2. After the salt is dissolved, add the pasta to the boiling water, stir a few times to prevent the noodles from sticking together.
  3. Boil pasta according to package directions, stirring occasionally, until al dente, or about 10 minutes. A couple of minutes before the suggested cooking time is up, taste the pasta. It's al dente if it's tender but still slightly firm in the middle.
  4. Reserve a small cup of cooking water to add to the sauce if needed. Drain over the sink and toss with desired sauce.
  5. If using the pasta in a salad, add to a colander and rinse with cold water for about 1 minute, stirring until cooled down.

Notes

  • Learning how to cook pasta isn’t difficult – just follow these tips and your pasta will come out perfect every time!
  • The ideal water to pasta ratio is 5 quarts of water for every pound of pasta. It's also the golden rule according to Italians. This allows the pasta to move as it boils so that it doesn't stick together.
  • Bring the water to a rolling boil before adding the spaghetti or pasta. If you start it in cold water it won't cook through evenly, or the pasta will sit in water longer and loose it's texture.
  • Don't skip the salt! My rule of thumb is 1 tablespoon of salt for every 5 quarts of water. This adds flavor to the pasta for the best tasting finished dish.
  • Always stir the water when you first add the pasta.
  • Taste the pasta at least two minutes before reaching the time printed on the packaging, and then again a minute later to make sure you drain it just when it is al dente.
  • Cook the pasta al dente. If you overcook it, the pasta can become mushy as it will continue to cook once it's drained, and again when added to a sauce.
  • To help the sauce cling perfectly to the pasta, skip adding oil to the water or pasta after draining. Don’t rinse the pasta, and reserve some of the pasta water before you drain it to mix into the sauce (the starch in the pasta water helps the sauce stick to the pasta).
  • If you use the pasta in a salad or a cold dish, rinse it with cool water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. You can also add a little bit of olive oil to prevent the pasta from sticking together.

Nutrition Information

Calories 280kcal (14%) Carbohydrates 56g (19%) Protein 10g (20%) Fat 1g (2%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 1g Sodium 1199mg (50%) Potassium 169mg (5%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 2g (4%) Calcium 36mg (4%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 280

% Daily Value*

Calories 280kcal 14%
Carbohydrates 56g 19%
Protein 10g 20%
Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 1g 5%
Sodium 1199mg 50%
Potassium 169mg 4%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 2g 4%
Calcium 36mg 4%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.