A guide to understanding pasta cooking times and achieving perfect al dente pasta every time, focusing on essential techniques rather than a specific dish.
Cook Pasta Perfectly
A guide to understanding pasta cooking times and achieving perfect al dente pasta every time, focusing on essential techniques rather than a specific dish.
Ingredients
- 1 pound your favorite pasta choose a good quality brand
- 4 quarts water for boiling
- 1 tablespoon salt kosher or sea salt
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with at least 4 quarts of water per pound of pasta.
- Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the water and bring it to a rolling boil.
- Add your favorite pasta to the boiling water, stirring immediately to prevent sticking.
- Follow the package directions for cooking time, but start testing for doneness 1-2 minutes before the minimum suggested time.
- Cook until the pasta is al dente, firm to the bite but not hard or mushy.
- Drain the pasta, reserving about a cup of the starchy pasta water for your sauce if needed.
- Serve immediately with your favorite sauce.
Notes
Always use a large pot with plenty of salted water. Stir often to prevent sticking. For best results, taste test pasta a minute or two before the package's suggested cooking time to achieve the ideal al dente texture. Remember, don't rinse pasta if serving with sauce.
