How to Cook Pasta Perfectly--Every Time

by Jillian Cristofalo

Pasta is a go-to staple for busy parents, and no wonder—it’s cheap, quick, and kid-approved.  But simply tossing some noodles into boiling water for 10 minutes does not make for perfect pasta.  Follow these tips on how to cook pasta and you'll get delicious al dente strands every time. And be sure to see all the great pasta recipes in our Pizza & Pasta Dishes section. Of course, you'll want to pair pasta with other dishes, such as chicken recipes. After all, easy pasta recipes make mealtime so much more fun!

1) Allow four ounces of dry pasta per person for a good serving size.

2) Bring plenty of cold water to a boil. Use at least 4 quarts of water per pound of pasta in order to prevent clumping and uneven cooking.  Add 1-2 tablespoons of salt per pound of pasta after the water has come to a boil.  This may seem like a lot, but most of it goes down the drain with the cooking water, and the salt is necessary for tasty pasta.  Putting a lid over the pot of water will allow it to boil more quickly, but don’t use a lid after you add the pasta. 

3) When the salted water returns to a full boil, add the pasta and use a wooden spoon to bend it to fit the pot as it cooks instead of breaking the pasta to fit the pot.  Be sure to stir often to prevent sticking.  Start checking for doneness a couple of minutes before the cooking time on the package—you don’t want mushy, overcooked pasta.  (Helpful Hint: One of my favorite restaurant tips for making pasta is to undercook it by one minute and continue cooking it with a few ladlefuls of sauce after it’s been drained.  This helps the pasta absorb more flavor from the sauce.)

4) Don’t add any oil to the pasta while it’s cooking!  Adding oil will just coat the strands and keep any sauce from adhering to the cooked pasta.

5) Drain the pasta in a colander as soon as it’s done cooking.  Don’t rinse the pasta unless you’re cooking lasagna noodles or making a cold pasta salad. 

6) Don’t drown the pasta in sauce.  You can always add more, and too much sauce will overwhelm the flavor of the pasta.  You can toss in a couple of spoonfuls of grated cheese before plating and pass extra at the table for additional flavor. 

Try these great pasta recipes from CookingVillage:
Linguini Topped with Red Clam Sauce
Broccoli-Lasagna Rolls
Hearty Baked Ziti

Buon Appetito!