How To Cook The Perfect Pasta? 3 Main Keys!

Did you that there is a way how to cook the perfect pasta? Pasta turns great if you mind the period you cook it. Yes, time is of the very essence.

Pasta differs from noodles in some ways. One of the notable differences is the feeling you get as you chew them.

The perfect pasta has this al dente texture. You will know it is because it's tender yet firm to bite. 

It may seem to you that you can cook pasta perfectly, but there are things that you may be doing wrong. 

Perhaps, it can also be that you miss some important moves that, if done, you can achieve the perfect pasta – for real!

Dear friend, if you don't want to miss these super important tips, I urge you to keep scrolling.

 

Keys To Cook The Perfect Pasta

Before we proceed to the main content, ask this question to yourself first; What would be a perfect pasta? How to cook the perfect pasta? Read more here how to cook prawn pasta.

Is it squishy? Is it pasta that is made special with sauce? Can it look pale? How does it smell? 

There may be variations in considering a perfect pasta, but it surely isn't "too" tender and pale – the overcooked. 

Perfect pasta can be considered perfect even before the addition of the sauce flavouring. It can be achieved if you know how to cook it properly.

In this section, we will submerge ourselves in the secret of cooking the perfect pasta.

 

Key #1. The rolling boil rule

It is advised that you should not cook pasta if you are pretty hungry. You know why? You may be tempted to pour the pasta into a "lukewarm" pot of water.

What happens if you cook your pasta in an "almost" boiling water is that it will not achieve the al dente characteristics.

We want that tender to firm feeling on our teeth as the pasta gets through our mouth, not that soft and mushy sensation. 

The boiling of pasta is crucial to achieving such character more than how everyone thinks of it. So, friend, you have to consider this one – seriously.

So friend, be patient enough to wait for the water to be in a rolling boil. Again, rolling boil, not just simmer or rapid simmer.

You have to be patient because it takes at least 10 minutes to wait. The more water you have, and the lower your stove's heat, the longer the waiting.

For you not to be so focused on the "agony" of waiting, you may do some chores at home and just set a timer for yourself not to forget that you are cooking.

Nevertheless, it is much appreciable if you do some preparations for your sauce or flavouring. While waiting, you can do the cutting and slicing of your ingredients. please read here how to make a good pasta sauce.

If you see that the water is surely in a rolling boil, you have to do one thing first before pouring the pasta. Do you want to know what it is? Keep reading.

 

Key #2. The power of salt

Have you ever asked yourself why does pasta dishes in Italian restaurants taste more flavorful than the ones you do at home?

Well, the reason may be that you missed adding salt while cooking your pasta. Perhaps, you may have overlooked monitoring the salt you added.

You must be aware that adding salt to water increases its boiling point. With this, water in a rolling boil is the best time you must add your salt.

You may wonder that your waiting has exceeded the expected time to achieve a rolling boil. Maybe that's because you have put salt a lot earlier than the right time.

How about the amount of salt that is right for my pasta? You can choose how much you'd like. After all, it's your taste buds, not mine.

Nevertheless, there is an indorsed ratio for this. For every one pound of pasta, a good ratio would be a tablespoon of salt plus 4 litres of water.

Don't hesitate to add more salt if you want your pasta to be saltier – it's your choice. 

Also, don't be deceived by your addition of a pinch of salt to your water. It will change nothing. 

Another deceit you may fall into is the addition of oil. People say that oil prevents the pasta from sticking together. Oil in pasta does nothing. 

The key to preventing your pasta from sticking is that you keep the water to a rolling boil. 

And also, you have to opt for the best brand of pasta. I suggest you get pasta from Torre & Olive. They have organic spaghetti, fusilli, and penne rigate. please read here how long does olive oil keep.

 

Key #3. Taste it to believe it

First of all, you must be aware of the kind of pasta you are cooking. Is it dried or fresh? Is it thin or thick? 

You know very well that dried pasta cooks later than fresh pasta, don't you? 

If you cook dried pasta, get a strand or piece of it to taste 5 minutes after it has been poured in the pot – especially thin pasta.

Of course, if you tasted it, you discovered it isn't well-cooked yet; you have to do it regularly for assurance. please read here how do you know when pasta is cooked.

Never leave your boiling pasta. You may throw a whole pot of pasta if you overcook it. It's better to keep an eye on it rather than waste too much.

How would you know that your pasta is now cooked?

As you bite a strand or piece of pasta, it feels tender halfway and firm on the inside. That is al dente.

However, if you will again cook your pasta in a hot pot and the sauce, choose to cook the pasta before al dente. 

You may overcook it in the second heating.

Just an extra tip; leave a cup of water from the water where you boiled the pasta, then add this to the sauce you're making. You'll be surprised how it will turn out!

 

Final Words

At the end of this article, I hope you have learned how to cook the perfect pasta.

May you enjoy your cooking and celebrate happiness with the people you want to share your dish with.

Thank you so much for reaching this point. Your time and effort are much appreciated!