How To Cook Pasta Al Dente

  • October 5, 2009
  • 2,094 Views
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It’s an evening of wining and dining and you want your meal to come out perfect. Whether a side dish or main course, please your crowd with pasta al dente.

You Will Need

  • An 8-quart pot
  • 5 qts. water
  • 2 tbsp. salt
  • 1 lb. pasta
  • Tongs
  • Timer
  • Colander
How To Cook Pasta Al Dente: Fill pot with water

Step 1: Fill pot with water

Fill a large pot with water – five quarts for every pound of noodles.

How To Cook Pasta Al Dente: Add salt and boil

Step 2: Add salt and boil

Add a tablespoon or two of salt per every five quarts – depending on what your personal diet allows – and bring the water to a boil.

How To Cook Pasta Al Dente: Put pasta in water

Step 3: Put pasta in water

Put the pasta in the boiling water and twirl with the tongs a few times in the first few minutes of cooking.

Twirling the pasta with tongs separates the noodles and eliminates the need for oil in the water.

How To Cook Pasta Al Dente: Do a taste test after five minutes

Step 4: Do a taste test after five minutes

Refer to package instructions for how long to cook – it depends on the amount of pasta – but after about five minutes, do a taste test. If you bite into the noodle and see a white starchy line, it needs another few minutes.

How To Cook Pasta Al Dente: Try second taste test

Step 5: Try second taste test

Try a second taste test about two minutes later. The noodles should be firm on the outside and soft on the inside.

How To Cook Pasta Al Dente: Drain pasta

Step 6: Drain pasta

Use a colander to drain the pasta. Transfer to a bowl, toss with sauce, and bon appétit.

Al dente pasta is better for people with diabetes: sugars are broken down differently in well-done pasta, elevating bad blood sugar levels.

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Comments (1)

Jogie_Magaso

wow.. pasta al dente?? it's so easy.. bravo!!^^

over 2 years ago by Jogie_Magaso

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