Let me show you how to boil pasta perfectly in a pot on the stovetop, or in the microwave. This boiled pasta recipe is simple, quick, and cooks in just 12 minutes or less. Boiling pasta is easy, and in this post, I will show you how to, how long to cook, and answer frequently asked questions.
Boiled Pasta Recipe
Learn how to boil pasta in easy, quick steps with this boiled pasta recipe.
Boiled pasta is versatile, and can be served as a side or the main dish. It can be served with sauce, chicken, meatballs, or use in salads, pasta bake, and many more.
Pasta comes in a wide variety of shapes and sizes including short pasta, long pasta, and sheet pasta. Long pasta include spaghetti, linguine, tagliatelle, fettucine, angel hair pasta, while short pasta include macaroni, penne, rotini, fusilli. They utilize the same cooking method but their cooking time slightly varies.
Be it long or short pasta, they are filling, tasty, and provide energy when eaten as part of a balanced meal.
Boiling pasta on the stove is the best way, however in this post, I have also included how to boil it in the microwave for when you don't have access to a stove, or just want to make a small quantity in the microwave.
This boiled pasta recipe is stress-free, and in less than 30 minutes you can get it ready.
Related: How to boil spaghetti
Ingredients
Pasta
Water
Salt
How To Boil Pasta
Here's how to boil pasta on the stove:
Add water to a deep pot and boil on the stovetop on medium heat.
Closing the pot with a lid will make the water boil quicker.
When the water starts to boil, add salt, stir then add the pasta.
Don't cover the pot while boiling pasta
After about five minutes of cooking, stir the pasta again to avoid it sticking together or to the pot.
Taste the pasta to check for doneness and when the pasta is cooked to how you like it, drain it in a colander.
It's best served immediately.
How To Boil Pasta In The Microwave
Add water to a microwaveable bowl.
Pour in the salt, and pasta and stir.
Put the bowl in the microwave, and microwave on a high setting for 5 minutes. Bring the bowl out, stir the pasta, and cook on a high setting for another 5 minutes.
Bring out the bowl, check for doneness, and if cooked, drain the pasta in a colander or sieve.
Serve immediately.
How Long To Boil Pasta
How long to boil pasta depends on the type, if long pasta, or short pasta. Below is a guide to follow when cooking pasta:
For long pasta like spaghetti, linguine, fettucine and tagliatelle, how long to cook it is between 8-12 minutes.
For short pasta like fusilli, penne, rotini, and macaroni, it takes 6-8 minutes.
I recommend following the manufacturers cooking time on the packaging using the lower end of the cooking time, and then checking for doneness and if need be, adding more time as required. It's best to be cautious as undercooking is better as it can be fixed than overcooking it.
Serving Suggestion
Some foods to serve with are:
Meatballs
Chicken in tomato sauce
Fish
Chicken
Tomato sauce
Cheese
Minced meat sauce
Cheese
Curry
How To Store Boiled Pasta
First, toss in a tablespoon of olive oil, to prevent pasta from sticking together.
Store boiled pasta in the fridge or freezer depending on how long you want to store it.
To store in the fridge- Let it cool completely, then pack it in a sealable container, label, and store in the fridge where it will keep well for up to 3 days.
To store in the freezer: Let the pasta cool completely, put it in an airtight container or Ziploc, label, and store in the freezer where it will keep well for up to 6 months.
How To Reheat
It can be reheated in the microwave, oven, and stovetop.
To reheat it in the microwave- Pour the pasta into a microwaveable plate, sprinkle with 1-2 tablespoons of water, cover the plate with a microwave cover, and heat in the microwave at high settings at 30 seconds intervals until the pasta is heated.
How To reheat on the stove (Unsauced pasta)-Boil water in a pot, add the pasta to the boiling water, and cook for 1-2 minutes till it's heated through.
Leftover boiled pasta can be used in salads, soups, curries, pasta bakes, and stews.
If you'll be storing it without sauce, add oil to the water when cooking it, so it doesn't clump in the fridge.
Tips For Boiling Pasta
- Use a big pot that'll conveniently fit the water and pasta. Using a small saucepan can cause the pasta to boil over.
- Pasta requires a lot of water to cook. The pasta has to be immersed in boiling water to cook evenly. You will require at least 3 liters of water per 500g/1lb of pasta.
- Make sure water is boiling before adding pasta.
- Wait till the water starts to boil before adding salt. This is due to two factors: water with no salt has a lower boiling point than water with salt. Thus, it will boil quicker. Also, salt absorbs more quickly in hot water. Non-soluble salt crystals in cold water can leave little white dots on the cookware.
FAQS
What is the secret to boiling pasta successfully?
Use an adequate pot, lots of water, salt, and keep an eye on the cooking. Follow this recipe and tips for perfect boiled pasta.
Do you boil pasta on high or low?
How boiling should pasta water be?
It should be boiling and bubbling before you add pasta. This is so the pasta cooks evenly without sogginess.
Do you boil pasta in hot or cold water?
Pasta should be cooked in boiling water for a good outcome.
How much water to boil pasta?
Per each pound of pasta, you will need 3-4 litres of water. The higher the quantity of pasta you’re boiling, the more water you’ll need to cook it to keep the pasta from sticking together in the pot.
Do you boil the water first for pasta?
Yes, you boil the water first before adding pasta to the boiling water. If not cooked in boiling water, it becomes soggy, sticky, and nasty.
Should you put oil in pasta water?
No need for putting oil if you will be serving the pasta immediately. If not serving immediately, adding oil helps prevent it from sticking together when cooling.
Tools Used
Pot
Colander
Spoon
Fork
More Simple Recipes
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How To Boil Pasta (Boiled Pasta)
Equipment
- Pot
Ingredients
- 500g (1lb) Pasta
- 3 litres Water
- 1 tablespoon Salt or to taste
Instructions
- Here's how to boil pasta on the stove:Add water to a deep pot and boil on the stovetop on medium heat.Closing the pot with a lid will make the water boil quicker.
- When the water starts to boil, add salt, stir then add the pasta.Don't cover the pot while boiling pasta.
- After about five minutes of cooking, stir the pasta again to avoid it sticking together or to the pot.
- Taste the pasta to check for doneness and when the pasta is cooked to how you like it, drain it in a colander.
- It's best served immediately.
Notes
- Use a big pot that'll conveniently fit the water and pasta. Using a small saucepan can cause the pasta to boil over.
- Pasta requires a lot of water to cook. The pasta has to be immersed in boiling water to cook evenly. You will require at least 3 liters of water per 500g/1lb of pasta.
- Make sure water is boiling before adding pasta.
- Wait till the water starts to boil before adding salt. This is due to two factors: water with no salt has a lower boiling point than water with salt. Thus, it will boil quicker. Also, salt absorbs more quickly in hot water. Non-soluble salt crystals in cold water can leave little white dots on the cookware.
Nutrition
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