Pasta purists will always tell you that cooking pasta al dente is the only correct way to cook it, and they’re right. But what exactly is this exotic-sounding term called al dente, and why is it so important? Here’s what you need to know about it, and even some tips on how to do it!
Al Dente Explained
Cooking pasta al dente or “to the tooth” means that the pasta will have a slight bite to it when you eat it. Preparing pasta comes with several benefits that go beyond flavor-related.
Benefits of Al Dente
When you cook your pasta “al dente” you remove the risk of overcooking it. Overcooked pasta is soft and mushy, giving you a feeling of eating the sticky dough. Cooking pasta for too long also causes it to lose nutrients and makes it harder to digest.
“Al dente” pasta, on the other hand, is easier to digest and has a lower glycemic index that prevents blood sugar spikes compared to overcooked pasta.
Additionally, pasta “al dente” is also better when you want to toss your pasta in a pan with some sauce. The additional cooking with overcooked pasta usually leaves you with something that resembles soup and not a pasta dish.
After all is said and done, you probably want to know how to cook pasta al dente perfectly each time, and here are some tips.
Cooking Pasta Al Dente Tips
- Use a big pot. This will allow the pasta to cook evenly.
- Bring water to a hard boil, salt it, and then put the pasta in.
- Stir for the first few minutes and then leave it alone. Stirring will keep the pasta from sticking.
- Cook two minutes less than the box instructions say.
- Try the pasta if unsure. Use a spoon to take a piece and run it under cold water. Bite into it to make sure it’s “al dente”.
