Cooking pasta is quite easy when you do it the right way. It should be cooked soft but not mushy, and have that little bite in the middle, that's the right texture which makes pasta taste great. You can mix it with sauce, veggies or just toss with some olive oil and herbs. It cooks fast and makes it as a filling meal even on busy days.
Pasta is simple to make and don't need many things. It does not take long time to get ready and everyone in the family likes it. When cooked right, it will not stick or turn mushy. You can use it for salads, baked pasta or just with some seasoning and cheese. Kids love this anytime.
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About How to Cook Pasta
Pasta is one of the most common dishes used in different ways. It is made by boiling in water along with some salt and a few drops of oil. Once it gets cooked right, you can mix with any sauce or just toss plain. There are many shapes like fusilli, penne and macaroni, but all can be cooked with same method.
The right texture of pasta is what makes it nice to eat. It should be soft but little firm inside, what we call 'al dente'. If you cook more, it becomes sticky and heavy. If less, it stays hard. So stirring well and checking in between helps to get that correct doneness. It make them nice and fluffy.
You can make it fresh and mix whatever sauce or topping you like. It is also healthy because you can control oil and salt. It fits well for lunch, dinner or even for lunch box. Sometimes I cook extra pasta and keep it in fridge, it helps when you want to fix dinner fast later.
I make pasta many times, especially on weekends or when I feel lazy to cook big meal. After draining I just add few drops of oil to keep it separate. This small step keeps pasta soft even after cooling. I have used fusilli pasta here, you can use any type of pasta of your choice like penne, macaroni, shell, disc etc.
Pasta making is a time saving all-rounder recipe which will be nourished anytime by the entire family. Pasta cooking at home is made easy with this recipe. Pasta is generally cooked, tossed in sauce / veggies and seasoned with herbs / spices.
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How to Cook Pasta Ingredients
- Pasta - I add fusilli for this recipe but penne, macaroni or spaghetti also works good. You can use any type you want.
- Water - I used enough water so pasta cooks perfectly and don't stick. You can use more water if you want.
- Oil - I used few drops of oil while boiling. You can use olive oil or any cooking oil you use. It helps pasta non sticky.
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How to cook Pasta Step by Step
1.Take water in a sauce pan, add salt and oil to it. Boil it.
2.When it starts to boil, add the pasta and cook in medium flame. Stir in between
3.Keep cooking and make sure you stir in between. Cook until it becomes soft but not mushy. It should have the crunch to bite at the same time it will slightly bend ,thats the right stage. Cut with a spoon to check. Switch off and drain water.
4.Rinse it well in running water. Strain, drizzle oil fluff it up and now its ready. So you can use it for your recipes.
Cooked pasta ready!
Expert Tips
- Stir often - I usually stir pasta in between while cooking, this helps it not stick to bottom or to each other.
- Check texture - Always check in between if pasta is soft but still has little firmness inside. Overcooked pasta will turn mushy.
- Rinse after cooking - After draining I rinse pasta in normal running water, it removes extra starch and stops overcooking.
- Add oil after draining - Adding few drops of oil after draining keeps pasta separate and easy to toss later.
- Salt - I added salt to give light flavor and season the pasta. You can use normal or sea salt, both are fine.
Serving and Storage
Serve this with any sauce you like such as tomato, white, or even just simple olive oil and herbs. It also taste good with vegetables, cheese or used for baked pasta dishes. You can also mix it cold for salad type dishes.
Keep leftover pasta in a box in fridge for 1-2 days. Add few drops of oil and mix before storing so it will not stick.
FAQS
1.Can I use any type of pasta?
Yes, you can use any type like penne, macaroni, fusilli or spaghetti. Only the cooking time may change little.
2.Should I add oil while boiling?
Adding oil is not must but I prefer few drops so pasta does not stick together.
3.Can I make pasta before and store it?
Yes, you can boil and keep it in fridge for 1-2 days. Just fluff before mixing with sauce.
4.How do know that it is cooked?
When you bite, it should be soft but little firm in middle. That is called al dente and perfect.
5.What if I overcook pasta?
Overcooked pasta becomes sticky and too soft. So always check near the end to avoid that.
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How to Cook Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 and ½ cups pasta I used fusilli variety
- 3 cups water
- salt as needed
- few drops oil
Instructions
- Take water in a sauce pan, add salt and oil to it.Boil it.
- When it starts to boil, add the pasta and cook in medium flame.Stir inbetween.
- Keep cooking and make sure you stir inbetween.Cook until it becomes soft but not mushy.It should have the crunch to bite at the same time it will slightly bend,thats the right stage.Switch off and drain water.
- Rinse it well in running water.Strain,Drizzle oil, mix well.Then fluff it up and use it for your recipes.
- Cooked pasta ready!
Video
Notes
- Stir often - I usually stir pasta in between while cooking, this helps it not stick to bottom or to each other.
- Check texture - Always check in between if pasta is soft but still has little firmness inside. Overcooked pasta will turn mushy.
- Rinse after cooking - After draining I rinse pasta in normal running water, it removes extra starch and stops overcooking.
- Add oil after draining - Adding few drops of oil after draining keeps pasta separate and easy to toss later.
- Salt - I added salt to give light flavor and season the pasta. You can use normal or sea salt, both are fine.
Durga Karthik.
We can add a dash of oil to the water.We can pressure cook for 1 whistle alone.
Preti
Hi Sharmi, no need to add oil in the water, just salt will do. And never rinse pasta after cooking, just use it straight up -either mixed up with the sauce or whatever you fancy.