How to Perfectly Cook Pasta Al Dente
Pasta Kitchen Tips
Wonder how to cook pasta like a professional chef? The secret to that perfectly tender-yet-firm bite, known as al dente, is a mix of timing and technique.
“At Barilla, we believe that even the simplest dish can be elevated with the right approach.”
That's why we have Chef Lorenzo Boni, whose culinary expertise and passion for pasta make him the ideal guide. Together with the Barilla team, we're bringing you step-by-step tips on how to cook pasta flawlessly every time.
How to Cook Pasta
1. Fill Your Pot
Start by filling a large 8–12-quart pasta pot three-quarters full of water. This amount is ideal for cooking 1 pound of pasta, giving it space for the pasta to move freely.
2. Bring It to a Boil
Turn up the heat and bring the water to a rolling boil. This ensures even cooking once the pasta is added.
3. Add Salt
Once boiling, season the water with one tablespoon plus one teaspoon of salt per gallon.
4. Skip the Oil
Oil and water don’t mix. Adding oil won’t prevent sticky pasta, but it may interfere with how the sauce clings to your pasta later.
5. Add Your Pasta
Add your pasta to the boiling salted water.
6. Start Your Timer or Playlist
Wondering how long to cook pasta? Follow the cooking time on the package, which is designed for the best way to cook pasta al dente. (Need a more musical timer? See below for Barilla’s pasta-timed Spotify playlists!)
7. Stir Frequently
Stirring helps prevent the pasta from sticking to itself or the bottom of the pot. Keep it moving every few minutes. This will also help the pasta to cook evenly.
8. Reserve Pasta Water
Just before your pasta finishes cooking, about one minute before the timer goes off, reserve 1–2 cups of pasta water. This starchy water is liquid gold for your sauce. Curious about other uses for pasta water? Here’s our pasta water guide.
9. Drain Without Rinsing
Drain your pasta, but do not rinse it. Rinsing washes away the starch that helps bind the sauce to your pasta.
10. Finish Cooking in the Sauce
Can I cook pasta in sauce? Absolutely, and you should. After draining, add the pasta to your sauce and cook together for a minute or two. Add reserved pasta water as needed. This step brings everything together, creating a glossy, cohesive sauce that clings beautifully to the pasta.
Barilla Pasta Cooking Playlist
Ditch the timer and use a soundtrack while you stir! With Barilla’s curated Spotify playlists, you can cook your pasta to perfection, no timer needed. Just drop your pasta in the pot, hit play, and when the music stops… pasta is ready!
Choose your pasta shape for the perfect timing:
Pasta Recipe Cooking Tip
Pro Cooking Tip: While waiting for your water to boil, use that time to prep your ingredients. Slice, dice, and measure everything in advance, placing items in small bowls. That way, when it’s time to finish your pasta or build your sauce, you can add ingredients quickly and with precision, just like the pros do.