Cooking pasta can be frustrating, especially when it feels like everyone but you can do it. If your pasta always turns out wrong — sticky, too hard, or overcooked — it’s time to go back to the basics and review the necessary steps so you can see where you’re going wrong. Here’s how to cook perfect pasta every single time.
- Take a large pot, fill it with water, and bring it to boil. You’ll need at least four quarts of water for a pound of noodles, but feel free to add more.
- Add a tbsp of salt in the water for great flavor.
- When the water starts boiling, add the pasta. Never break it; it will quickly soften up and fit into your pot.
- Stir it so it doesn’t stick together. Keep stirring occasionally as it cooks.
- Check the cooking time from the packaging but don’t blindly trust it: always taste pasta to see if it’s done.
- Drain, add your favorite sauce, and enjoy!