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When it comes to Free Press Test Kitchen recipes, we would indicate “2 cups cooked pasta” if we wanted you to use cooked pasta. Usually, we would specify 2 cups (or 8 ounces or 1 pound, depending on the quantity required) of pasta if we wanted you to use dry pasta. Additionally, we would include cooking instructions, such as “cooked according to package directions,” for the pasta. Additionally, if cooking instructions are provided, it indicates that dry pasta is used.
Another question that comes up often when cooking pasta is whether the water should be salted or not. The answer is a resounding yes. How much salt to use? I always think of Mario Batali, who says you should add enough salt so the water tastes salty. At http://www.mariobatali.com, it’s recommended that for every 1 pound dry pasta you should use 6 quarts water and 3 tablespoons kosher salt, adding the salt to the water once it comes to a full boil.
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.
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.
