There’s nothing quite like sitting down to a bowl of beautifully cooked pasta – the kind that hugs the sauce just right and leaves you licking your plate clean.
But I’ll be the first to admit, I’ve had my fair share of pasta flops. Limp spaghetti, bland sauces, and slippery noodles that just won’t behave. So, if your pasta efforts haven’t always gone to plan, don’t worry – here are six common mistakes to avoid so you can get it right every time.
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Overcooking the pasta
Soft, overdone pasta has no business on your plate. Whether you’re using dry or fresh pasta, timing is everything. Dry pasta needs around 8 to 12 minutes, depending on the shape and brand, while fresh pasta cooks lightning-fast – usually under 3 minutes. Keep a fork handy and taste a piece a minute before the timer goes off. You’re aiming for al dente – firm with a little bite. Not crunchy, not mushy. Just right.
Rinsing after cooking
Unless you’re making a cold pasta salad, step away from the tap. Rinsing cooked pasta washes off the natural starch that helps sauces stick, and that’s the last thing you want. It also dulls the flavour. Instead, drain your pasta and go straight into your sauce while it’s still hot and starchy – trust me, your tastebuds will thank you.
Skimping on the salt
One of the easiest ways to boost flavour is by salting your pasta water properly. We’re talking at least a tablespoon for a big pot – it should taste like the sea. The pasta absorbs the seasoned water as it cooks, making every bite more delicious. Don’t rely on the sauce to do all the work.
Letting pasta sit after draining
The clock is ticking once you’ve drained your pasta. Don’t let it sit around drying out in the colander. Get it into the sauce straight away and give it a good toss so every piece gets coated. This quick mix helps the pasta soak up the flavour and marry with the sauce for a proper Italian-style finish.
Using too much sauce
We’ve all been there – the sauce-pouring frenzy that turns a pasta dish into soup. But the truth is, pasta should be coated, not drowned. The sauce is there to complement the pasta, not smother it. A good tip: add a splash of the starchy cooking water to your sauce before tossing the pasta in. It helps everything bind together beautifully.
Adding oil to the water
This old-school trick is more myth than magic. Adding oil to your pasta water doesn’t stop sticking – it just sits on top and can make your pasta slick, which stops sauce from clinging. Want to keep your noodles from sticking? Use a large pot, plenty of boiling water, and stir gently in the first few minutes. Simple and effective.
Whether you’re whipping up a quick midweek dinner or planning a dinner party pasta masterpiece, avoiding these six common slip-ups will take your dish from just okay to bellissimo.
ALSO SEE: HOW TO TELL WHEN YOUR PASTA IS AL DENTE
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