Do you ever think you are not cooking your pasta too long or long enough? It can be hard to tell when you did it. But don’t worry, with these simple tips, you’ll be able to tell whether your pasta is cooked perfectly every time.
No one wants to end up with a plate of mushy pasta. But how do you know when it’s done? It can be tricky, but you’ll be able to nail it every time with this guide. Keep reading for guidance on how to tell if pasta is done cooking.
How to Cook the Perfect Pasta
Size does matter
One of the easiest ways to tell if pasta is done cooking is by taking its measure. Look at the right column in this chart, and you’ll see that there are weight/volume ratios for each type of pasta. Use this ratio to determine how much dry pasta you should cook per person, then use a kitchen scale to measure this amount.
Follow the directions on the package.
All pasta packaging comes with a recommended cooking time, water volume, and nutritional information. If you follow these guidelines, your spaghetti should come out perfectly al dente every time! (Here’s a list of famous brands and their recommended cook times. )
Time it right
When cooking pasta, timing is everything. The general rule of thumb is to boil the water before adding the pasta, then give it about nine more minutes for your al dente perfect spaghetti.
However, this may not always be precise—many factors can change the cooking time, including the water’s boiling point. A general rule of thumb is to use about 10 gallons of water for every pound of pasta you’re cooking. Adjust this amount depending on altitude and stovetop heat.
Watch the clock
Here’s what to do: Bring water in a large container. Once the water comes to a boil, add in your pasta and set a timer for the cooking time recommended on the package. If you’re unsure how long it should cook, start with 7 minutes.
Once the timer goes off, fish out a strand of spaghetti with tongs and take a bite. If it’s not perfectly cooked, put it back in the water for another minute. Place it on a plate and dress with your favorite sauce if cooked through.
Don’t overcook your pasta.
It’s easy to overdo it when cooking pasta–you might end up with mushy noodles that don’t have much flavor. The cook times on the package are just a guide–you might need to adjust the time depending on the type and your stovetop heat. If overcooked, pasta can turn into a sickening sticky, starchy mess.
How To Tell If Pasta Is Done
Pull a strand
When you’re checking if your pasta is done, take a strand of spaghetti and break it in half. If the center of the spaghetti is white and opaque, then it’s done cooking. If there’s still a thread of translucent whiteness at the core of the spaghetti, put the pasta back in the water and check again in a few minutes.
Check your pasta’s chewiness
The best way to tell if your dry pasta is cooked perfectly? Read the package directions, or ask an expert! Most dry pasta will say “al dente” on the box (which means, roughly translated, “firm to the bite”).
When cooking al dente pasta, you’ll want to stop cooking it before it becomes soft. To test if your pasta is done, take a stand out of your pot and bite into it. It should have a firm core with only slight resistance when biting down on it.
Do the noodle dance
If you can’t quite tell if your pasta is al dente but the recommended cook time has passed, take a strand out of the water and press it against the inside of your bowl or mug.
It should stick to the bowl slightly, but it shouldn’t be too firm. Let it sit for a minute or two, then recheck it. It should be getting closer to being done!
Look at the water level
If you’re struggling to figure out if your pasta is cooked or not, stare into the pot of boiling water and see how much it has bubbled up. When fresh noodles go into the first container, the water level will increase significantly.
They will cook for about 5-10 minutes when the water level starts to go down. If you notice that there’s hardly any water left by the time your estimated cooking time has passed, it probably means the pasta is done!
Look at your pasta
If you have a hard time telling if your pasta is done, take a peek! Here’s a little trick: Hold a strand of spaghetti against the pot’s side and look at it from the top.
You’ll see how much starch is coming off by looking at its color–when it starts to look translucent, you’ll know it’s done—feeling extra fancy? Notice the difference between the bottom of the noodle and the top. The bottom should be slightly less cooked than what’s sticking up out of the pot.
Test your pasta with a fork
Here’s how to tell if your spaghetti is cooked: Stick a fork in the center of your pot and pull out a strand of spaghetti. Hold the fork and the strand parallel to each other and turn them upside down so that some of the water drips off into the pasta. If you see clumps forming on your fork, it’s time to eat!
How To Cook Pasta On The Stove
Add salt to your water
Adding salt to the boiling water will help season your pasta, so don’t be shy with that shaker! You can also add a drizzle of olive oil–it’ll keep the noodles from sticking together as they cook.
Add pasta at the right time
It might sound obvious, but it will turn into a starchy, mushy mess if you add your pasta to boiling water. You want to add the noodles when the water starts boiling and stir them, so they don’t stick together too much.
If using an electric stove, set the warmth a little higher. If you want to speed up the process, set a timer for 2-3 minutes less than what your package says.
Drain pasta correctly
To avoid gluggy, sticky noodles, drain them in a colander instead of pouring them into a strainer. It may take some trial to get it right! Pour your pasta into the colander, then turn around and shake it.
You should see some Coleman propane stove. Use a spoon to scrape the remaining noodles off of the bottom of the colander (some people like to rinse them under cold water at this point, but it isn’t necessary).
How To Cook Pasta In The Microwave
Start with a big bowl
To cook pasta in the best over-the-range microwave, you’ll need to use a large bowl with room for water and noodles. The bowl should be about 1-2 inches smaller than your dinner plate–a deep cereal/soup bowl works well! Fill it up with water until about 1 inch of water above the noodles.
Add salt to your water
Adding salt to the boiling water will help season your pasta, so don’t be shy with that shaker! You can also add a drizzle of olive oil–it’ll keep the noodles from sticking together as they cook.
Stir your pasta
After you microwave the water, stir in your pasta. If not, it’ll turn into a rubbery mess! Ensure all noodles are submerged before covering them with a lid or plate (we like using this large glass pie pan ).
Microwave on high for 6 minutes for thin shapes like spaghetti and shells, 7 minutes for thicker shapes like rigatoni and fusilli, and 8-9 minutes for big tubes like penne.
Check on your pasta every 2 minutes
After microwaving for the first 3-5 minutes, check your pasta’s progress by sticking a fork in it. It should be slightly softened, not crunchy. If you’re microwaving for more than 5 minutes, test it out every 2 minutes. If you try to microwave it for too long, your pasta will get mushy or soggy, which nobody likes!
Let the steam off
Once your pasta is done cooking, take off the lid or plate and let the steam out by lifting one edge. You don’t want to open the lid because that will cause some water to splash out! If you’re microwaving more than one serving’s worth, give them a few minutes to cool off before combining them into one bowl.
How Do You Know if Pasta is Undercooked or Overcooked?
Undercook it!
If your pasta is undercooked, it’ll be harder to eat. It will have a very firm texture and won’t taste good! If you’re planning on adding sauce or having it cooked further, that’s okay–make sure the sauce doesn’t contain any ingredients that are sensitive to heat.
Overcook it!
If your pasta is overcooked, it’ll become very soft and mushy. It will have a gooey texture that’s not appetizing to eat! If you’re planning on cold-serving your pasta, you can overcook it since cold noodles absorb sauce well. However, overcooking is a no-no if you’re serving your pasta hot or cooking it further with sauce.
Cook it perfectly!
The best way to cook pasta is by boiling it until al dente. It’ll have a firm texture with the slightest resistance when you chew it. It should taste good on its own too! The perfect way to cook pasta is by undercooking it slightly–that way, you’ll be able to enjoy it even if it’s not cooked perfectly.
Final Verdict
Cooking pasta can be easy if you know how to tell if pasta is done. If you follow the processes, you should be able to make a delicious dinner without any trouble. If you have any other questions about cooking pasta, feel free to comment below. I hope this helps!