There are few basic rules to mast to know how to boil spaghetti (and other pasta)

If you want to stick to the tradition, the basic rule to boil spaghetti is 10:100:1000.
This means

• 10gr of salt
• 100gr of pasta
• 1000ml of water

This rule is very simple and easy to remember, 100gr are an average serving of pasta in Italy. Then you just have to multiply the amount for the number of guests and you’re done.

Learn how to boil spaghetti and any other pasta al dente

You will need a large pot, pasta, water and salt. Possibly you need to check the cooking time on the package to avoid overcooking. If you want to know what’s the best pasta, check my guide on how to buy the best pasta.

Ingredients for four servings
4lt of water
400gr of pasta
40gr of salt

Step 1
Bring to a boil  the water in a big pot
Step 2
When it comes to a boil add the salt.

Step 3
As soon as it boils again, pour the pasta and stir immediately after. Stir frequently while cooking.

Step 4
Check the cooking point a couple of minutes earlier that the direction on the package.  To check the pasta take a piece and put it on a plate, cut it in half with a fork. If you can see a thin white line on the inside (see picture on the right), it means that the pasta is ready.You should anyway taste it to check if it’s not too hard.

The thinner the white line is, the more the pasta is cooked. Be careful not to overcook it, otherwise you will loose the perfect “al dente” texture.

Many chefs in restaurants usually drain the pasta few minutes earlier, to stir it in the pan with the sauce, this way the pasta will absorb the flavors of the sauce and finish the cooking time in the pan.
This operation requires a little practice, because you have to be careful to use the right amount of liquid to finish the cooking. If you are cooking a sauce that already contains a good quantity of liquids (for example a tomato sauce) you will need just a little cooking water to stir it. Instead, if you are preparing a white sauce with vegetables and the extra moisture is gone, you will need more water.

How to use boiled pasta

• Pasta in bianco: Simple boiled salted pasta can be used to prepare what we call pasta in bianco, white pasta. This is a simple pasta that is boiled then seasoned with butter and parmigiano and ready to serve. Some use extra virgin olive oil instead of butter, you can try both to see what’s your favorite. Pasta in bianco is the go-to dish when you have little to no time or when you want to have a light meal. If you use whole wheat pasta, it’s a great and simple way to eat fiber, protein and good fats.
• Pasta salad: simple boiled pasta is the base for a pasta salad. A super quick dish you can prepare with what you have on hand and very healthy too.
• Meal prep: you could also cook pasta and keep it ready in the fridge for the week to come. In this case reduce the cooking time. If the package says 10 minutes, cook it for 7. Keep the pasta in the fridge in an air tight container and sprinkle with some extra virgin olive oil. Mix well to coat evenly. This way the pasta won’t stick and when you’re ready, you can make your sauce and add the pasta in the last minutes, along with 1/4 cup water. Cook it until the water is absorbed (about 2 minutes) and you have a wonderful pasta dish in no time.

Healthy tips when cooking pasta

If you use white pasta but you want to add more fiber to it, you can boil it, cool it down and then reheat it. This process will transform the simple starches in the pasta into resistant starch AKA fibers! Meaning you will get more fiber from the same quantity of pasta, and your microbiome will certainly be thankful. For people with diabetes, it can be a nice way to enjoy some pasta and reduce the counter effects.

Save some money

If you want to save some money and help the environment, you can use these tips to cook your pasta:

• Use a pressure cooker
  – Put the pasta into the pressure cooker and cover it with water, then and add the salt
  – Cook on high until it reaches the pressure
  – Lower the heat or turn it off completely, then count half the time that is indicate on the package.
  This is a good way to reduce energy  and water consumption (you’ll only need enough water to cook the pasta, and there will be little to none left in the pan).
  This is also a good way to cook a great one pot meal, in fact you could add some sauce or vegetables and you will get a perfect pasta in half the time and with only one pot. Check out my one pot pasta recipe.
• Use the residual heat
  When you boil the pasta, use a less water (up to 500ml for each 100gr of pasta), bring the water to a boil with the lid on. As soon as it comes to a boil put the pasta in. Let it boil again, then cover and turn off the heat. The residual heat will cook the pasta perfectly but you’ll have saved energy and water.