How to Cook Pasta Al Dente

 

Cooking pasta al dente means cooking it so that it's still firm to the bite—not mushy or overcooked. Here's how you do it:

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🌟 How to Cook Pasta Al Dente

🧂 Ingredients:

• Pasta of your choice

• Water

• Salt

🍽️ Instructions:

1. Boil Plenty of Water
   Use a large pot and fill it with at least 4-6 quarts of water per pound of pasta. This gives the pasta room to cook evenly.

2. Add Salt (Don’t Skip This!)
   Once the water is boiling, add about 1–2 tablespoons of salt. This flavors the pasta as it cooks.

3. Add the Pasta
   Drop the pasta into the boiling water and give it a quick stir to prevent sticking.

4. Set a Timer
   Check the package instructions for the cooking time. Subtract 1–2 minutes from that time for al dente.
   Example: If the box says 10 minutes, start checking at 8 minutes.

5. Taste Test
   Take out a piece of pasta and bite into it. Al dente pasta should be tender but still have a firm center when you bite—never mushy.

6. Drain Immediately
   Once it’s reached the perfect al dente texture, drain the pasta. Do not rinse (unless you're making a cold pasta salad). Rinsing washes away the starch that helps sauce stick.

7. Optional: Save Pasta Water
   Before draining, save a cup of the starchy pasta water. You can use it to thicken or help your sauce cling better.

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🧀 Pro Tips:

• Fresh pasta cooks faster than dried and usually doesn’t need more than 2–4 minutes.

• Stir occasionally to keep the pasta from sticking.

• Don't overcook! Pasta continues to cook slightly even after draining if it's added directly to sauce.