Read on to learn the three fundamental steps for cooking pasta from beginning to end as well as my tried-and-true pro techniques for making perfect pasta at home, every single time.
You might believe that there is no need for an extensive tutorial when making pasta. The truth is that learning the art of making pasta is not difficult—I mean, all it is basically boiling water! But as with anything, the devil is in the details if you want amazing results!
I’m sharing my simple pro “secrets” because I think everyone should understand the fundamentals of cooking dried pasta properly. It ranks right up there with riding a bike as a life skill.
Pasta was a cornerstone dish in my Italian-American family. I was completely raised by my mother and grandmothers to cook pasta the right way, so I know how to do it. Pastina, a tiny type of pasta, was my first introduction to solid food as a baby. It was combined with milk and butter to create a creamy cereal.
In other words, pasta is life. Working in Italian restaurants inspired me to almost create a cookbook featuring only pasta dishes.
This tutorial demonstrates how to prepare extruded, dried pasta in long or short shapes using durum wheat flour and water. Fresh pasta, in contrast, is made with eggs and is prepared in a different way.
Tip: Buy high-quality dried pasta. The BEST pasta for catching sauce is pasta that has been cut with bronze dies because it has a wonderful rough texture. If you have good pasta, you’re halfway to making the best pasta ever.
Time starting with adding pasta to boiling salted water. Refer to package directions and be sure to taste-test!.
When you bite into al dente pasta, which is literally translated as “to the tooth,” it has a springy texture. A core of lighter yellow should be visible inside a piece of perfectly cooked pasta if you break it open.
It’s important to taste the pasta as it cooks in order to obtain that elusive al dente doneness. To prevent pasta from continuing to cook after you drain it and add your homemade tomato sauce, amatriciana sauce, or an amplified arrabbiata sauce, practice slightly undercooking the pasta.
I frequently multitask in the kitchen and take the pot off the heat a minute or two before it’s finished, allowing the pasta to finish cooking in the hot water.
All you need to prepare pasta is the appropriate size pot, a spoon for stirring, and a large non-plastic colander to drain the pasta into. Colander inserts for pasta pots are an upgrade, but they are not required. I use a wooden spoon with slots because metal spoons cause mouth burns.
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Nutrition information provided is an estimate. Depending on the cooking technique and specific ingredients employed, it will change.
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How much water do I need to cook pasta?
HOW long to cook pasta al dente
Set a timer for 2-3 minutes before the directions on the package, measure your quantity, stir, and use a large pot of heavily salted water (never add oil).
Make sure to TASTE test the pasta to ensure that it is properly al dente at the end of the cooking time. You may need to add a few minutes or it may be done earlier than anticipated. Mangia! (Eat!).
You must taste your pasta before draining it to ensure that it has the right texture, so do not cook and drain without doing so. How else do you know its truly done- al dente?.
How to properly taste test pasta:
Start the water on high heat to bring it to a boil as quickly as possible (unless you want to delay the boil).
The heat will be interrupted when you add the pasta, and it will take some time for it to resume boiling. Reduce heat to medium-high or low after it returns to a boil to prevent your pot from overheating while the pasta cooks.
Keep in mind that the water’s movement aids the pasta’s movement and even cooking.
Tip for Hosting: When I make pasta for guests, I usually bring the water to a boil, cover it with a lid, and then reduce the heat to a low simmer. I keep the water warm so that I can quickly bring it to a boil when it’s time to add the pasta.
FAQ
How long do you have to cook pasta noodles?
The majority of dried pasta ribbons, including linguine, spaghetti, and tagliatelle, require 8 to 10 minutes to cook. Fresh pasta varieties like ravioli and tortellini take between 3 and 5 minutes to cook, while shorter, thicker pasta shapes like bows or penne take 10 to 12 minutes.
How long do noodles cook in boiling water?
Typical dry spaghetti cooking instructions are as follows: Bring 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 pound of dry spaghetti. Cook 10–12 minutes, stirring frequently.
