Knowing how to cook pasta properly is the foundation for many a great meal. Simply follow a few basic rules: use a big pot with lots of water, more salt than you think you need, and watch the clock. Below I’ll share my easy technique for cooking pasta perfectly whether to serve in warm dishes or a salad.
Pasta is affordable, has a long shelf-life (two years!), and is low in fat. Yes, it’s a carb, but eaten as part of a balanced diet it’s a great source of energy. Choose the whole wheat varieties for more protein and hunger-killing fiber.
How to cook pasta perfectly
According to legendary Italian cookbook author Marcella Hazan, the spaghetti or pasta itself should be the final thing you cook when making a pasta dinner. Everything else, sauce, etc., should be ready to go. That way, the spaghetti can be drained, tossed with sauce for proper sauce-noodle adhesion and served pronto!
Cooking pasta for warm sauce
Fill a large pot with six quarts water. Bring to a boil. Add salt. Be generous, this salt seasons the pasta as it cooks and penetrates into the noodles
Add the dried pasta. Stir until the water returns to a boil. Set a timer for one minute less than the package instructions recommend. Test for doneness at this point. If you like your pasta very firm (al dente) or are going to be simmering for a while in sauce, check and remove even sooner.
Now, strain and cool briefly, but do not rinse. Rinsing washing away the starch that helps the sauce stick to the pasta. Toss in olive oil instead.
When ready to use, add to warm sauce, toss and finish cooking or chill for later use.
Cooking pasta for salads
As above, fill pot with six quarts of water, bring to a boil, add salt, followed by dry pasta. For pasta salad, cook according to packaged directions.
Next, strain and cool briefly, but do not rinse. Toss in olive oil immediately when it’s still warm.
Finally, cool to room temp and refrigerate covered.
FAQ’s
Can you cook pasta in the microwave?
Technically, yes, but it takes a good two to three minutes longer than the stovetop and has to be done in a large microwaveable container. Save as an emergency method if you find yourself without a stovetop .
How do you store cooked pasta?
Store cooked pasta in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator where it should last up to five days.
