How To Cook Dried Pasta

Although most pasta comes with cooking instructions on the package, sometimes people over cook their pasta and some helpful pointers are in order.

It’s best to cook pasta in clean filtered water as opposed to warm or hot water for the best taste. Although hot water boils faster, it comes from your hot water heater and can taste different from cold water. Use a large glass or stainless steel pot for cooking your pasta.

Step 1: Fill up a large 4-5 quart pot with cool filtered water and bring to a boil. When the water is boiling you can add a little salt if desired. (This is personal preference, omit if you are following a low sodium diet.) Note: it is a myth that salted water boils faster, it in fact takes longer to boil. So add salt only once your water is at a rolling boil.

Step 2:  Add your dried pasta and stir to make sure that it doesn’t stick.

Step 3: Start timing your pasta when the water comes back to a boil.

Step 4: Stir as necessary to prevent from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Step 5: When pasta is cooked to desired tenderness turn off heat and pour into a colander to drain. Do not rinse.

Step 6: Toss or top with sauce and serve.

Tip: Pasta will clump together if left for more than a few minutes, so use immediately or gently run a little water over it and turn it to break up the pasta clumps.

For cooking pasta that you want to bake in a casserole I suggest cooking it for only 5 minutes. Then toss with the rest of your ingredients and bake at 350F /177 C for about 20-30 minutes until heated through and the pasta is at desired tenderness.

How Much Does Dried Pasta Yield When Cooked?

1 cup of small dry pasta shapes weighs about 4 oz./113.4 g and will make 2 1/2 cups cooked.

4 oz./113.4 g pasta noodles or a 1-inch bunch will make 2 cups of cooked pasta.