How To Cook Pasta Al Dente
Learn how to cook pasta al dente, as the Italian tradition wants. Follow this easy step-by-step guide and tips to cook pasta like a pro!
Serving: 4
Calories: 278kcal
Ingredients
- 300 g pasta
Instructions
- Fill ⅔ of a large saucepan with water, put the lid on, and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Remove the lid and add the sea salt.
- Stir in the pasta, then reduce the heat to medium heat.
- Stir the pasta with a wooden spoon every 3 minutes.
- Remove about 1 cup of pasta cooking water to emulsify the pasta sauce later.
- Start testing the pasta about 4 minutes before the cooking time suggested on the package instructions. When it’s tender but still has a bite, drain the pasta in a colander over the sink or use a hand colander to scoop the pasta from the water.
- Return the pasta into the pot or transfer it into the pan with your favorite sauce, and mix by adding a little of the reserved pasta water until you reach the desired consistency.
Video
Notes
- After you drain the pasta don’t “wash” it under cool running water, this will only make it sticky and chewy.
- Choose the right pan. A large pot is best for short pasta, a tall pot is best for spaghetti and bucatini.
- Don’t overfill the pot with water, fill just ⅔ of the pot with water.
- Add all the pasta in one go, so that it will cook evenly.
- Stir the pasta every 2-3 minutes to avoid that it sticks together, this is particularly important for long pasta such as spaghetti.
- Follow the cooking time suggested on the pasta packaging, but not religiously.
- For al dente pasta you’ll need to drain it about 2-3 min before the time suggested on the packaging.
- Always reserve ¼ cup of pasta water before you drain it. You should never drain all the pasta water, this starchy liquid will make silky, smooth and delicious pasta sauces.
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Nutrition
Calories: 278kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 167mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.