How to cook pasta: Basic guidelines to avoid mushy pasta

Mac and cheese. Carbonara. Spaghetti bolognese. Pasta salad. These are just a few of the legendary pasta dishes. Pasta is a basic food that goes well with almost every spice, flavouring, or protein you can think of. Given all the options, it is understandable why so many dinner dishes begin with noodles, macaroni, or spaghetti.

Everyone believes they are proficient at cooking pasta. It is really simple to understand. However, you might be overlooking key culinary techniques that could improve the dish. For example, do you know what "al dente" means? Keep reading.

How to cook pasta: boiling, microwave and thermomix methods

Understanding proper pasta cooking techniques is the basis for many delicious meals. Just remember a few simple guidelines:

• Use a large pot to make sure your pasta is fully submerged at once, especially if you’re making spaghetti.
• Add lots of water and bring it to a rolling boil. Do not add your pasta before the water has boiled. Using boiled water ensures the surfaces of the noodles will cook more quickly and set well. This keeps the noodle's structure from becoming overly mushy and soft.
• Add more salt than you think you'll need. For every 6 quarts of water, you need at least one tablespoon of salt. Remember, salty water adds flavour to your pasta. 
• Keep an eye on the time. This is so important if you want to avoid a mushy mess. To get the exact softness you want, see the general rule of thumb below.

How long to cook pasta?

I’m sure you’ve overcooked your pasta at some point and you had a disappointing mushy dinner. How long does pasta take to cook, you ask? There is a timeline you need to follow. That is why you’ve been given instructions on the packet as well. We have a short guideline for you:

• Al dente (meaning without being chalky or too hard on your teeth) - 6 to 7 minutes
• Cooked through - 8 to 10 minutes
• Passable chew - 10 to 12 minutes
• Mushy - more than 12 minutes

Now that you have an idea of how long you should have your pasta cooking, here is an outline of the simple methods for cooking pasta to perfection, whether for a pasta salad or a warm dish.

How to boil pasta

The water will start to cool down as you add the spaghetti, macaroni, or noodles to your pot. It should quickly heat back to a boil before your pasta is in danger of becoming mushy, provided it previously reached a full boil. Pasta can stick together and to the sides of your pot if you don't stir it, so as soon as you've added it, start stirring. Once the water begins to boil again, leave the pasta to simmer. Stir it again a few times before it’s cooked. 

How to cook pasta in microwave

You can cook pasta in the microwave and cook it well so that it’s not dry or soggy and mushy. Make sure you use a deep, microwave-safe bowl that can hold your water as it boils. The bowl will also need to be deep enough to hold the water and keep the pasta submerged. 

You can use boiling water from the kettle or use cold tap water. We’ve found that even if you use cold water, the texture or taste are not altered. Set the microwave on high (full power) for 3 minutes longer than the pasta packet states. As an illustration, set the microwave to run for 11 minutes if the packet specifies 8 minutes. The only exception is if the water has already been boiling; in that case, you can simply cook it for the amount of time indicated on the packet. 

Just make sure the pasta is thoroughly cooked before draining the water, just like you would on a stove. Simply place it back in the microwave if more cooking time is required, checking on it every minute. Once it is cooked to your liking, drain it and serve with your favourite sauces.

How to cook pasta in thermomix

You can boil your water in the thermomix, but if you want it to boil faster, boil it in a kettle and then pour it into the thermomix once it's boiled. Make sure the water is at 100 °C before you put your pasta in. If you are cooking spaghetti, do not push it down; let it submerge in the bowl on its own. Watch the time to check if the pasta is cooked to your liking. Remember, different pastas take different times to cook. 

How to cook pasta al dente 

It is essential to taste the pasta to determine whether it is al dente. We advise sampling fresh pasta two minutes before the stated cooking time to see if it is al dente. This should be done at least three times to make an accurate and well-informed decision regarding the situation. After all, we're talking about pasta, which deserves all the praise! 

Before you drain, set aside some water.

Before draining your pasta, always set aside a cup or so of the cooking liquid. Any sauce you make to top the noodles will become thicker because of all the starch the noodles release into the water. Additionally, it will be a touch salty, which gives homemade sauces their taste.

How to cook fresh pasta

Filled Pasta

Ravioli, Tortellini, Tortelloni

Bring 3 to 4 quarts of water (12 to 16 cups) to a boil for each pound of pasta. Add salt to the pasta. If it starts sticking together, separate the pasta by stirring. Turn down the heat so the pasta simmers (tortellini and tortelloni may be cooked more vigorously). How long to cook fresh pasta? Tortellini should be simmered for 8–10 minutes and ravioli for 5–7 minutes. 

Extruded Pasta

Penne, Bucatini, Rigatoni, Spaghetto, and other extruded pastas

Like filled pasta, bring 3 to 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil for each pound of pasta. Add salt to your pasta. To separate the pasta, stir a bit. Once done, serve it with chicken or shrimp.

Pasta sheets 

Lasagne, Cannelloni, and other pasta sheets 

Fresh lasagne sheets strike the ideal balance between weeknight cooking speed and homemade meals. You can layer them in an oven-safe skillet with your preferred mixture of cooked greens, sautéed mushrooms, roasted squash or vegetables, ground pork, ricotta, and tomato sauce after tossing them in simmering water for 20 to 30 seconds. These sheets are also excellent for making homemade tortellini, ravioli, and cannelloni. Bake until bubbling, golden, and crispy at 350°F. Enjoy! 

Can you freeze pasta?

Most pasta cuts and shapes, including filled pasta (such as ravioli, tortellini, and tortelloni), freeze well. We advise against freezing pasta sheets. 

If you purchased your pasta fresh, freeze it within three days of receipt. Put the pasta on a baking sheet in a single layer after removing it from the package. Place in the freezer, then wrap in plastic. Pasta should be placed in freezer-safe containers after freezing. We advise storing your frozen pasta for no longer than one month for the best texture and flavour. 

Now that you know how to cook pasta well, here are some delicious pasta recipes you can try tonight:

• Easy homemade scialatielli pasta with seafood
  
• Easy Tuna Mornay
  
• Quick and easy pesto pasta salad
  
• Easy homemade stuffed pasta shells
  
• Blackened Tilapia with Chayote-Mango Pasta Salad