Cooking pasta is meant to be easy and for the most part it is. Cooking perfect pasta, however, is a whole other story. Getting that delicate balance between chewiness and mushiness for pasta that’s just right is a skill that is not automatically mastered. Here’s your quick guide to getting pasta right every time.
Big pot and lots of water
Make sure your pasta has space. Don’t think that using a smaller pot with less water will mean your pasta cooks quicker. It needs to be fully submerged and needs room to move.
Salt up
Salt will makes your pasta taste that much better. Add salt to the water so it can cook in it and get that full flavour boost. About a tablespoon is ideal.
Bring it to the boil
Wait for your water to properly heat up before you add the pasta. If it’s not boiling hot, you’ll end up with some undercooked pieces.
Stir it up
Keep stirring so you don’t get bits of pasta sticking to the bottom or clumping.
Two minute rule
Follow the packet instruction times. If it says it takes ten minutes to cook, then don’t start prodding it after five. You ideally want to wait until the pasta is in its final two minutes before testing it to see if it’s ready. It’s better to go al dente so that the pasta doesn’t go mushy.
Final twist
When you drain the pasta, put one cupful aside for later. Starch water can bind the pasta with your sauce to keep things deliciously mixed.
So there you have it, your quick guide to perfect pasta every time!
