7 Embarrassing Pasta Crimes You’re Committing and How to Fix Them
Pasta is the ultimate culinary safety net. It’s the $2 lifesaver that makes dinner ready in 15 minutes when you’re too tired to bother cooking.
But just because it’s a pantry staple doesn’t mean you should treat it as an afterthought. Most of the pasta-centric “rules” we’ve followed for decades are actually based on culinary myths that do more harm than good. The result? Terrible pasta. And you know It’s true.
If your sauce keeps slipping noodles or your cooking water looks like a failed chemistry project, you need a new approach. I break through the confusion to reveal how professionals handle pasta and a pot of boiling water.
I spoke with pasta professional Filippo de Marchi, a chef de cuisine working in Venice, to understand what American cooks continue to botch on the fundamentals and which so-called “pasta hack” techniques should be left behind.
Here’s what he said.
1. Throw pasta against a wall to see if it sticks
Cooked pasta will indeed stick to a wall but that doesn’t mean it’s a good way to tell if it’s ready.
“This is not the best way to check doneness,” says de Marchi. “The texture of the pasta can change when it hits the wall, and this does not give an accurate indication of whether it is properly cooked.” Plus, you risk splashing your wall with starchy noodle juice or watching it slide down the wall and behind the stove.
Instead, remove just one strand and taste it. You will then be able to tell if you have achieved that perfect al dente texture.
2. Add precious olive oil to pasta water
Olive oil in your water is not the best solution for sticky doughs.
According to de Marchi, one of the worst offenses is adding olive oil to the pasta water, thinking this will prevent the noodles from sticking. Olive oil is a necessary addition to most pasta dishes, but save it for the plate.
Some people think this will keep the pasta from sticking when added to boiling pasta water, but “the oil just floats on top of the water and doesn’t effectively coat the pasta,” says de Marchi. The best way to prevent sticking is to use plenty of water, stir the pasta regularly during the first few minutes of cooking, and be sure to use the right size pan for the amount of pasta you are cooking.
“This way the pasta has enough space to move around and cook evenly,” he adds.
3. Leave a pan covered while cooking pasta
Preventing your pot from boiling over can be as simple as putting a wooden spoon on top.
“Leaving the pot lid on while the pasta cooks is the way to go,” advises de Marchi. “This prevents water from boiling over and helps control the cooking process. Plus, it allows steam to escape, which helps prevent water from foaming and creating a starchy mess.”
As recommended, also select an appropriately sized pan to ensure your pasta cooks evenly.
4. Add salt to make water boil faster
Salt won’t make your pasta water boil much faster.
Based on a recent discussion on Reddit, many people aren’t sure if adding salt to pasta water makes a significant difference. The truth is that salt plays a vital role in pasta water, but not in terms of heat. (Impurities change the boiling point of water, but the amount of salt you add to the pasta water doesn’t make a significant difference.) That said, adding salt is essential for the pasta to absorb its flavor.
“If you cook without enough salt, the pasta can end up tasting a little bland,” warns de Marchi, whose signature dish at NHC Murano Villa is spaghetti alle vongole. The seafood dish originates from the oceanside region of Venice and consists of vongole (usually clams), garlic, white wine and chili flakes, accompanied by sea asparagus and lemon zest.
5. Drain the pasta until dry
Leaving a little water for the pasta will help the sauce stick.
There’s a reason why savory pasta water is so popular. Not only does it add a delicious brine to enhance sauces, but it also helps the sauce stick to the pasta.
“This creates a more cohesive and flavorful dish,” says de Marchi. “A little moisture can go a long way in making your pasta dish even tastier.”
6. Run cooked pasta under water
Rinsing pasta after cooking may not be the special tip we all thought it would be.
If you want to avoid hurting yourself with a rolling pin or wooden spoon, as Nonna might use, run your cooked pasta under cool water.
“This can remove the starch layer that helps the sauce stick to the pasta,” says de Marchi. “The residual heat from the pasta helps the sauce marry with the pasta, creating a tastier, more cohesive dish. Think of it like a beautiful marriage: you want the sauce and pasta to come together and live happily ever after, without experiencing a cold shower right before serving.”
7. Precooking the lasagna sheets
Not all lasagna recipes call for precooked noodles.
“Precooking lasagna sheets is not necessary, especially if you use a sufficiently moist sauce,” he says. “In fact, many lasagna recipes call for using the sheets directly without precooking, allowing them to absorb liquid from the sauce and cook while cooking.”
Set it, forget it and let the magic happen in the oven. Pasta is not something to overthink or stress over. Its simple preparation makes it all the more enjoyable.
