If you can cook a good bowl of pasta then in my opinion, you are set. It’s filling and wholesome and most children and adults alike love pasta. Make it as a healthy meal or indulge in a creamy pasta sauce. Cook it any way you like as there are a zillion different simple pasta recipes out there to try. Follow these essential tips on how to cook pasta and you will be eating perfect pasta every time.

• It is important to use a pot big enough to accommodate the pasta you’re going to cook. There should be enough room for plenty of water so the pasta can move around while cooking. This way,  the pasta pieces won’t stick to each other and it will cook evenly.
• One of the reasons why pasta sticks together while cooking is that the water hasn’t reached full boiling point. Tepid water releases the natural starch found in pasta which acts like a glue that binds the pasta together given that it’s just sitting in the water.
• Once the water comes to a full boil, add 1/2 tablespoon of salt to the water for every 500 grams of dry pasta being cooked. Don’t worry, the salt will only draw out the natural flavors of the pasta. It will not, in any way, increase the sodium level of your recipe since the salt will drain off with the water.
• Stir the pasta at least twice during the duration of the cooking process. This will help to keep the pasta pieces separated.
• Contrary to common belief, adding any kind of oil will create a slippery coating to your pasta which will make your sauce slide through it instead of being absorbed.
• The cooking time for any pasta depends on what type you have. Most cook for 8-10 minutes but some will take less time than that, especially if it’s a fresh variety. For best results, check the package instructions!
• If you are unsure about the pasta being cooked correctly, just take one piece out and taste it. Perfectly cooked pasta should have a tiny and opaque core in the middle. The texture should be firm, yet tender, or Al dente.
• For pasta to be used in baked dishes, cook it about half of the usual cooking time since it’s going to be cooked again in the oven.
• Don’t rinse the pasta if you’re going to serve it hot. You will pour the sauce immediately on it anyway so there won’t be any problems with it sticking together.
• Rinse the pasta with cold water when making cold pasta salad. The cold water will eliminate the natural starch coating the pasta and will no longer be sticky. It will also stop the cooking process to avoid soggy pasta.
• You can also reheat pasta by bringing water to boil, then pouring it over cold pasta.
• Reserve a glass of the pasta’s cooking water. This can be used to add a little moisture to the sauce if it gets too dry.
• If you cooked too much pasta, you can put the leftovers into an airtight container and freeze it for up to two weeks for another delicious meal.

What is your best pasta cooking tip?

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