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Cooking Pasta

Cooking 101: Cooking Pasta: The Major Questions

Pasta is an essential ingredient to many Italian dishes—and it is often the part of the dish that makes or breaks the entire meal. Everybody knows the basic steps, but how can you make sure your pasta is perfectly al dente? With all the myths and misconceptions about cooking pasta, it’s time to set the record straight.

Here are some common questions that come up when cooking pasta.

How much water should I use?

The amount of water you use is crucial for the success of your pasta. Generally, you should use 4-6 quarts of water for every pound of dry pasta. A quick way to measure is to make sure you have at least 1.5 inches of water above the pasta. A big pot is essential!

Is salt optional?

To put it simply, no. Salt is needed to help give the pasta its flavor. Unsalted pasta can taste very bland. Adding salt during the cooking process helps to season the pasta.

How much should you add? A general guideline would be to use 1-2 tablespoons of salt for every gallon of water used. Don’t be too concerned with putting too much salt. Remember that most of the salt water is discarded after cooking.

It’s best to put the salt in when the water has reached a rolling boil. That way, it dissolves better in the water. Salted water takes longer to boil.

Does oil really prevent the pasta from sticking together?

Putting oil into a boiling pot of water does nothing to help pasta. (However, putting oil in the water can reduce foam and water from boiling over the pot.) Since oil and water separate, there is no real contact with oil and pasta until after the cooking.

The best way to keep your pasta from sticking together is by having enough water in your pot. Not having enough water can make the pasta clump together and stick. With enough water and stirring, you will have pasta that doesn’t stick.

Should I rinse the pasta after it’s finished?

Generally, there is no need to rinse the pasta after it’s finished. While some may believe that rinsing prevents the pasta from sticking together, rinsing the pasta takes away the starches that help bind it to sauce. This also happens when people put oil in the pasta after its finished. If pasta has been properly prepared, all you need to do is drain the pasta.

How do I know the pasta is done?

While following the instructions on the box of pasta is a great way to know when the pasta will be finished, the only true way to know for sure is to taste it. Al dente pasta should be soft, but firm. One way to check is to look at the pasta itself. If the pasta core is still white, it isn’t done. Pasta cores should have a creamy, opaque center.

With just these few easy tips, you should be able to make perfect pasta in no time. Demystifying these common questions will help you be more consistent in your cooking technique, so every pasta dish comes out perfect!