How to Cook Perfect Pasta

"This is very helpful if you tend to overcook your pasta. Pasta should be "al dente" or tender to the bite. Poor quality pasta often ends up sticky and soggy. So when you buy your pasta, make sure it says pasta di semola di grano duro – durum wheat semolina pasta."
 
Download
photo by a food.com user photo by a food.com user
Ready In:
15mins
Ingredients:
4
Serves:
4
Advertisement

ingredients

Advertisement

directions

  • Always use a very large cooking pot, making sure you have at least 4 pints (2.25 litres) of water to every 8 oz (225 g) of pasta, with 1 level tablespoon of salt added. Before the pasta goes in make sure the water is up to a good fierce boil.
  • Add the pasta as quickly as possible and stir it around just once to separate it.
  • If you're cooking long pasta like spaghetti, push it against the base of the pan and, as you feel it give, keep pushing until it all collapses down into the water.
  • You don't need to put a lid on the pan: if it's really boiling briskly it will come back to the boil in seconds and, if you put a lid on, it will boil over.
  • Put a timer on and give it 10-12 minutes for top-quality pasta, but because this timing varies according to the shape and quality of the pasta, the only real way to tell is to taste it. So do this after 8 minutes, then 9, and 10, and so on. This only applies when you cook a particular brand for the first time. After that you will always know how long it takes. Sometimes you can give it 1 minute's less boiling and then allow an extra minute's cooking while you combine it with the sauce.
  • Have a colander ready in the sink then, as you are draining the water, swirl it around the colander, which will heat it ready for the hot pasta. Don't drain it too thoroughly: it's good to have a few drops of moisture still clinging as this prevents the pasta from becoming dry.
  • Place the colander containing the pasta back over the saucepan to catch any drips.
  • Always serve the pasta on deep warmed plates to keep it as hot as possible as it goes to the table.
  • For spaghetti, the very best way to serve it is to use pasta tongs, and always lift it high to quickly separate each portion from the rest.
  • Always work quickly, as pasta won't hang around – if it cools it goes sticky and gluey, so drain it quickly, serve it quickly and eat it quickly.
  • You can drizzle a little olive oil in the drained pasta to prevent sticking.

Questions & Replies

Got a question? Share it with the community!
Advertisement

Reviews

Have any thoughts about this recipe? Share it with the community!
Advertisement

RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

~WELCOME TO MY PAGE~ This page is dedicated to my Dad, who I love & miss each and every day! 3-12-29 to 1-22-10 My name is Star and I am originally from Rhode Island. I have been married for 20 years to my wonderful husband, Phil. We live in the Sierra Nevada foothills of Northern CA. I love cooking, eating a variety of foods and drinking wine (in moderation , of course)! There's nothing better than a wonderful meal! In Northern CA there is an abundance of fresh ingredients year round as well as wonderful wines! We have been fortunate enough to travel and experience wonderful cuisine, but I miss all the ethnic foods I grew up with. I love to cook and try new recipes. Being the daughter of 2 caterers, food has always been a big part of my families' life. Some of the best memories I have are of family gatherings around the kitchen table or counter. The kitchen was and truly is the "heart of the home"! Back East we enjoy food for passings, celebrations, comfort or everyday life. Menus are varied according to the holidays at hand. Portuguese for Labor Day, Italian for St. Joseph's Day, Irish for St. Patrick's Day, Polish for Easter and the list goes on. Tradition has deep roots in the East and "Food: "is" The Way To Everyone's Heart"! <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u187/starryrose1956/hot_wieners.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a> "R.I. Hot Weiners"! <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u187/starryrose1956/464278453_35fef08a4equahog.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a> "Quahog" <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u187/starryrose1956/clamcakes.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a> "Clam Cakes" <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u187/starryrose1956/SamsNewEnglandClambake101606.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a> "New England Shore Dinner" <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u187/starryrose1956/chourice.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a> "Portuguese Sausage"
 
View Full Profile
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Find More Recipes