2. Long pasta shapes
Eight ounces of raw long pasta equals four cups of cooked pasta.
This measurement applies to these types of pasta:
2 1/2 cups cooked egg noodles from 8 ounces of raw egg noodles
1. Small to medium pasta shapes
Four cups of cooked pasta from eight ounces of raw small-to medium-sized pasta
This measurement applies to these types of pasta:
- Elbow macaroni
- Medium shells
- Rotini
- Wagon wheels
- Bow-tie pasta (Farfalle)
- Mostaccioli
- Penne
- Ziti
- Radiatore
- Rigatoni
In the meantime, put the garlic in a sizable serving bowl that fits partially inside the pot and is heatproof. Whisk the half-and-half into the bowl after adding the mustard. While the water heats, set aside or place over the pasta pot to warm. Once the water begins to boil, remove the bowl.
As directed on the package, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and broccoli florets about two minutes before the pasta is done. Cook 2 more minutes. Remove 2 cups of the cooking water. Drain the pasta and broccoli and tomatoes. Refill the pot with the cooking water, then turn the heat down to low.
Measuring short pasta (bow-tie, rigatoni and elbow) is easy enough. However, half of a one-pound box of spaghetti and vermicelli equals roughly two cups. You can also do it by weight. Typically, two cups equals eight ounces of short pasta, such as macaroni.
Having said all that, what’s generally listed on the packages/boxes of most dry pasta as the serving size is 2 ounces. What does that look like? It will definitely depend on the size and shape. But generally, 2 ounces of dry pasta like penne or bow tie is about 1/2 cup. Once cooked, that amount yields 1 to 11/4 cups. Again, it depends on the size. When it comes to long strands of pasta, 2 ounces is typically 2 inches or just a smidgen more in circumference depending on the size of the noodle. That circumference yields about 1 cup of cooked pasta as listed at www.barilla.com. So a 1-pound box of dry pasta cooks up to about 8 cups.
QUESTION: What does it mean when an ingredient list says “2 cups” of pasta? I know that two cups of cooked pasta is sufficient, but seeing that it’s mentioned there makes me believe that the recipe calls for two cups of raw pasta. For example, I wanted to use vermicelli as my pasta, so how do you measure two cups of uncooked pasta? In Grosse Pointe Park, what is two cups of dry vermicelli? — Vince Romano
