How to Cook Pasta

Step 1

Prepare the sauce: Prepare or heat up your sauce. When your sauce is just about ready, turn it down to low to keep it warm.

Step 2

Bring the water to a boil: Fill a pot with water and add salt. Cover the pot and bring the water to a boil.

Step 3

Add the pasta: Add the pasta to the boiling water and stir to keep it from sticking.

Step 4

Bring the water back to the boil: Bring the pasta back to the boil (you can cover the pot to hasten this process but keep an eye on it as the trapped foam from the pasta can cause it to overflow.)

Step 5

Begin timing the pasta: Begin timing your pasta when it comes back to the boil. (If you used a lid, remove it and cook the pasta uncovered.)

Step 6

Check the pasta for doneness: About 2 minutes earlier than the package instructions say, start testing your pasta. Carefully remove a piece of pasta with a sieve or fork and place it on your cutting board. Using the knife, cut it in half and check for doneness. Taste a piece. Continue to cook for another minute if needed.

Step 7

Remove the pasta from the water: When the pasta has cooked to your liking, turn off the heat. Using a tongs, sieve, or skimmer, lift the pasta out of the water, pausing for a few seconds to drain off most of the water. Transfer the pasta to the pan with the sauce. You will probably have to do this in batches to get all of the pasta out of the water. Alternatively, place a colander in the sink while the pasta is cooking. When the pasta is done, reserve a cup of cooking water (if needed), drain the pasta and dump it into the sauce.

Step 8

Toss and serve. Toss the pasta with the sauce until it is well coated and has finished cooking. Serve and enjoy!