Why You Can Trust CNET The 7 Pasta Making Mistakes We're All Guilty of, According to an Italian Chef
Some of those pasta making hacks and shortcuts may be sabotaging your spaghetti.
Rinsing pasta after cooking is not the genius hack we all thought it was.
There's no shortage of hot takes among those who cook and eat pasta. Everyone has a favorite recipe -- some of them passed down through generations -- and pasta-cooking hacks fly around like cars in an episode of The Jetsons. But do these pasta hacks, tips and shortcuts really work? Can you make water boil faster by adding salt, or tell when linguini is done cooking by flinging it against a wall? And is al dente always best? (Spoiler: Yeah, it is.)
We turned to a pasta pro, Filippo de Marchi, chef at NH Collection Venezia Murano Villa's De Majo Restaurant & Terrace, to either confirm or deny nine of the top-circulated pasta cooking myths and hacks. A whopping seven out of the nine we asked about turn out to be smoke and mirrors, according to de Marchi, and have very little use in everyday cooking.
"Cooking pasta isn't difficult at all. It's all about timing and the right water-to-pasta ratio," he says. "Don't fall into the trap of believing in myths. Just trust your instincts and follow the simple instructions."
Myth No. 1: Throwing pasta against a wall to see if it sticks proves it's done
Answer: FALSE
"This isn't the best way to check for doneness," says de Marchi. "The texture of the pasta can change when it hits the wall, and it doesn't give an accurate indication of whether it's properly cooked."
Instead, it's more accurate to scoop out a single strand and taste it. You'll then be able to tell if it's achieved that perfect al dente texture.
Myth No. 2: Adding olive oil to pasta water keeps noodles from sticking
Answer: FALSE
Olive oil in your water isn't the best fix for sticky pasta.
Olive oil is a necessary addition to most pasta dishes, but save it for the plate.
"The oil just floats on top of the water and doesn't coat the pasta effectively," 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 make sure to use the right size pot for the amount of pasta you're cooking.
"This way, the pasta has enough space to move around and cook evenly," he adds.
Myth No. 3. Fresh pasta is always better than dry pasta
Answer: FALSE
Fresh pasta has good PR but some dried pasta is just as tasty.
It's all about personal preference. Fresh, dry, frozen -- chefs aren't here to dictate what your taste buds like and don't like.
"Fresh pasta has a softer texture and cooks quickly, making it perfect for delicate sauces," says the chef. "On the other hand, dry pasta has a firmer texture and holds up well with hearty or thicker sauces."
De Marchi also compares it to choosing between two great actors for a movie role. "The choice depends on the character they're portraying," he says, "just like the choice between fresh and dry pasta depends on the dish you're making."
Myth No. 4: Leave the lid off of the pot while the pasta is cooking
Answer: TRUE
Stopping your pot from boiling over can be as easy as putting a wooden spoon across the top.
"Leaving the lid off the pot while the pasta is cooking is the way to go," advises de Marchi. "This prevents the water from boiling over and helps control the cooking process. Plus, it allows the steam to escape, which helps prevent the water from foaming up and making a starchy mess."
As recommended, be sure to also pick an appropriately sized pot so that your pasta cooks evenly.
Myth No. 5. Pasta should always be served al dente
Answer: TRUE
Cooking "al dente" is one pasta rule to always follow.
Go al dente or go home, at least according to most Italian chefs.
"Serving pasta al dente, which means 'to the tooth' in Italian, is the way to go. It's that perfect balance between being cooked through while still retaining a slight firmness," says de Marchi. "Overcooked pasta can be a real downer to a dish, so aiming for that al dente texture ensures your pasta will be just right."
The easiest way to ensure an al dente outcome, every time, is to follow the cooking instructions on the back of the box, starting with the lowest number in the range of proposed minutes. This will give you enough time to run a taste test and determine if it needs to be cooked a little bit longer.
Myth No. 6: Adding salt helps water boil faster
Answer: FALSE
Salt won't get your pasta water boiling significantly faster.
Salt plays an important role in boiling water, but not when it comes to heat. (Impurities do change the boiling point of water, but the amount of salt you add to pasta water doesn't make a significant difference.) Rather, it's essential to add salt so that the pasta can absorb its flavor.
"If you're cooking without enough salt, the pasta can end up tasting a bit bland," warns de Marchi, whose signature dish at NHC Murano Villa is a spaghetti alle vongole. The seafood dish, which hails from the region of ocean-adjacent Venice, is a combination of vongole (typically clams, garlic, white wine and chili flakes), sea asparagus and lemon zest.
Myth No. 7. Drain pasta until it's completely dry
Answer: FALSE
Some pasta water will help the sauce adhere.
There is a reason why salted pasta water is held in such high regard. Not only does it contain a delicious brine to enhance sauces, but it also helps the sauce adhere to the pasta itself.
"This creates a more cohesive and flavorful dish," argues De Marchi. "A little moisture can go a long way in making your pasta dish extra tasty."
Myth No. 8. You should run cooked pasta under water before serving
Answer: FALSE
Running your pasta under water removes much of the starchy goodness.
If you want to subject yourself to a potential injury via a rolling pin or wooden spoon by Nonna, run your cooked pasta under fresh water.
"This can remove the starchy coating that helps the sauce adhere to the pasta," says de Marchi. "The residual heat from the pasta helps the sauce to marry with the pasta, creating a more flavorful and cohesive dish.
"Think of it like a beautiful marriage -- you want the sauce and the pasta to come together and live happily ever after, not to undergo a cold shower right before serving."
Myth No. 9. You should precook sheets of lasagna
Answer: FALSE
Not all lasagna recipes require precooked noodles.
"Precooking lasagna sheets isn't always necessary, especially if you're using a sauce with plenty of moisture," 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 during the baking process."
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.