How to cook pasta
- Helena Busiakiewicz
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Learn how to cook pasta 'al dente' using Helena's top tips and try our moreish pasta recipes to liven up dinner time
I’ve cooked more pots of pasta than I can count, and developed plenty of pasta recipes from quick midweek meals to summery pasta salads and indulgent pasta bakes. Over the years I’ve picked up a few simple tricks that make all the difference. Follow my tips below on how to boil pasta and the various cooking times for achieving that perfect al dente result.
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What is the best way to cook pasta?
Cooking pasta is really simple, but like a lot of simple cooking, timing is crucial. Most dried pasta cooks in about 10 minutes – a few minutes less and it will be chalky and tough, a few minutes more and you’ll end up with a slimy mush. The trick is to test it and stop cooking when it’s perfectly ‘al dente’ – which translates from Italian as ‘to the tooth’ but simply means you should need to use your teeth to chew it.
For more information, read our guides on how to make pasta and how to cook spaghetti. Short on time? Discover how to cook pasta in the microwave for a super speedy result.
Helena has developd hundreds of recipes for Good Food, and trained as a chef and worked in restaurants before joining the team. Read on for her top pasta tips, or check out more of Helena's recipes.
How much water do I need to cook pasta?
- 80-100g dried pasta per person
- 500ml-1 litre water per 100g
How long does pasta take to cook?
- Most dried ribbons of pasta such as linguine, spaghetti and tagliatelle take between 8-10 mins.
- Shorter, thicker pasta shapes like bows or penne take 10-12 mins.
- Fresh pasta such as ravioli and tortellini will take 3-5 mins.
How do I season pasta?
- 1 tsp salt, or more if you prefer, in the cooking water
- Sauce, oil or butter of your choice over the cooked, drained pasta
- Finely grated hard cheese, such as parmesan or pecorino, to finish
What does 'al dente' mean?
In cooking, al dente means cooking pasta so it still has some bite (in Italian 'al dente' literally translates to 'to the tooth'). This means cooking it for a couple of minutes less than the packet instructions suggest.
How to cook pasta
- The first step is to make sure you have plenty of water in your pan. Use a large, high sided saucepan and add at least 500ml, or up to 1 litre of water per 100g dried pasta (depending on the capacity of your pan). Make sure there’s still enough room at the top because you don’t want the water to bubble up and overflow.
- Bring the pan of water to the boil then add the pasta. If you like, or the recipe suggests, salt the water first, or if you prefer, add a splash of olive oil.
- After about 8 mins of boiling, carefully fish a piece of pasta out of the pan, allow it to cool and taste it. If it’s ready, take the pasta off the heat straightaway, if not give it another minute then test again.
- Once the pasta is cooked, take it out of the water and allow it to steam dry for a minute or two before mixing it with any sauce or dressing. If the sauce you want to use is too thick, reserve a little of the pasta water to thin it down.
- Lasagne sheets or cannelloni tubes are made to be baked instead of boiled so make sure that the sauce you are layering or stuffing them with isn’t too dry as they will need to absorb some liquid as they bake.
Discover our favourite pasta sauce recipes.
5 pasta recipes to try
Cacio e pepe with runner beans
A simple, classic and tasty way to serve pasta dressed in (lots of) butter, cheese and black pepper, allowing the pasta to take centre stage. This basic recipe is a must-try, great for a no-fuss meal for two
Classic lasagne
You can't beat a classic lasagne - it's the ultimate comfort food and a great way to feed a crowd. Discover our classic lasagne with creamy béchamel and a prosciutto and beef mince ragu. Get inspired with more lasagne recipes including healthy lasagne recipes and vegetarian lasagne recipes.
Garlicky mushroom penne
Pasta doesn’t always have to be heavy on the cheese to be satisfying and delicious. Try this punchy vegan recipe with dried wholemeal penne, fresh mushrooms and a drizzle of tahini. Try more vegan pasta recipes.
The best spaghetti bolognese
Our best ever spaghetti bolognese is super easy and a true Italian classic with a meaty, chilli sauce. This pasta bolognese recipe is sure to become a family favourite.
Chicken pasta bake
Enjoy this gooey cheese and chicken pasta bake for the ultimate weekday family dinner. Serve straight from the dish with a dressed green salad.
Get more recipe inspiration...
Easiest ever one-pan pasta
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