Cook the Spaghetti

Cooking spaghetti is a simple process, but doing it right ensures perfect pasta every time. Here’s a step-by-step guide to cooking spaghetti to al dente perfection.

Ingredients

• 400g of dried spaghetti

• Salt

• Water

Instructions

1. Boil the Water:

   • Fill a large pot with water, enough so that the spaghetti can move freely as it cooks. Generally, you’ll want about 4 to 6 quarts (3.8 to 5.7 liters) of water per pound (450g) of pasta. Place the pot over high heat and bring the water to a rolling boil.

2. Add Salt:

   • Once the water is boiling, add a generous amount of salt—about 1 to 2 tablespoons. The water should taste like the sea. This step is crucial as it enhances the flavor of the pasta.

3. Add the Spaghetti:

   • Drop the spaghetti into the boiling water. Stir immediately to prevent the strands from sticking together. You can gently press the spaghetti down with a spoon as it softens to ensure it's fully submerged in the water.

4. Cook Until Al Dente:

   • Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions, usually around 8 to 12 minutes. "Al dente" means "to the tooth" in Italian, indicating that the pasta should be tender but still firm when bitten. Taste a strand of spaghetti a minute or two before the suggested cooking time to check for doneness.

5. Reserve Pasta Water:

   • Before draining, reserve about a cup of the starchy pasta water. This can be used later to adjust the consistency of your sauce.

6. Drain the Spaghetti:

   • Once the spaghetti is cooked to your liking, drain it in a colander. Do not rinse the pasta, as rinsing washes away the starch that helps the sauce cling to the spaghetti.

7. Combine with Sauce:

   • If you’re using the spaghetti immediately, transfer it to a pan with your sauce and toss everything together over low heat. This allows the spaghetti to absorb the flavors of the sauce, making for a more cohesive dish. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.

8. Serve:

   • Serve the spaghetti hot, topped with your favorite garnishes, such as grated Parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, or a drizzle of olive oil.

Tips

• Use a Large Pot: This prevents the pasta from sticking together and ensures even cooking.

• Don’t Overcook: Spaghetti continues to cook a bit after draining, so aim for slightly underdone if you plan to toss it with sauce afterward.

• Taste Early: Start checking the pasta a couple of minutes before the package time to avoid overcooking.

By following these steps, you’ll end up with perfectly cooked spaghetti, ready to pair with your favorite sauce.