• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
cookinghelpcenter.com
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
×
Home » Boiling » How To Boil Pasta (Boiled Pasta)

How To Boil Pasta (Boiled Pasta)

Published: Jun 18, 2022 · Modified: Jul 18, 2023 by Olana · This post may contain affiliate links

Sharing is caring!

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

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 in a colander.

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

boiled pasta served on a white plate.

Ingredients

Pasta

Water

Salt

uncooked Pasta displayed.

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.

cooking in a 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.

boiled pasta in a colander.

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.

served on a white plate and garnished with parsley.

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.

boiled pasta in a colander.

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

boiled pasta served on a white plate.

More Simple Recipes

How to flavor rice

Prawn seasoning

Canned sardine recipes

Did this post answer your questions? If you find this how to boil pasta/ boiled pasta recipe helpful, please rate it 5 stars and kindly drop a comment below. We appreciate your feedback.

Subscribe to our blog for free weekly recipes in your email. Also, follow us on our social media pages Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram.

boiled pasta in a colander.

How To Boil Pasta (Boiled Pasta)

Olana
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.
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 2 minutes mins
Cook Time 12 minutes mins
Total Time 14 minutes mins
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American, British, Global, Italian
Servings 4
Calories 464 kcal

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

Tips
  • 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. 
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, fettuccine, 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.

Nutrition

Calories: 464kcalCarbohydrates: 93gProtein: 16gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gSodium: 1789mgPotassium: 279mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gCalcium: 50mgIron: 2mg
Keyword boiled pasta, boiled pasta recipe, boiling pasta, how long to boil pasta, how to boil pasta
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Did you make this recipe? Great! Rate it by clicking the stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leaving a comment below. Don't forget to share this post with your friends, families, and also on your favorite Pinterest and Facebook.

« How To Flavor Rice (Flavoured Rice Recipe)
How Long To Cook Brown Rice »

Reader Interactions

5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • Canned Sardine Recipes
  • How To Cook Frozen Sausages
  • How To Wash Rice
  • What Is Cod Fish
  • How To Boil Ground Beef (Boiled Ground Beef)

Recent Comments

No comments to show.

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2022 Cooking Help Center

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.