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boiled spaghetti in a colander.

How To Boil Spaghetti (Boiled Spaghetti)

Olana
Learn how to boil spaghetti noodles perfectly. This boiled spaghetti recipe is easy, quick, simple, and you will get perfectly cooked pasta in less than 15 minutes. Use in salads, pasta bake, or serve with sauce, cheese, shrimp, chicken, fish, or any sides of your choice.
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 464 kcal

Equipment

  • Pot
  • Colander

Ingredients
  

  • 500 g (1lb) Spaghetti noodles
  • 1 tablespoon Salt
  • 3-3.5 litres Water
  • 1 tablespoon Vegetable or Sunflower oil Optional

Instructions
 

  • Add water to a deep pot and put on medium heat.
  • When the water starts to boil, add salt, oil, stir then add the spaghetti.
  • Stir to submerge the spaghetti in water
  • Boil the spaghetti for 8-12 minutes stirring the pot at least once.
    Check for doneness at 8 minutes.
  • When the spag is cooked to your desired texture, drain it in a colander.
    Serve immediately.

Notes

Tips
  • Use a pot big enough to fit the water and spaghetti.
  • Use a Lot Of Water: You may think less water means it boils quicker but that doesn't work. Spaghetti needs a lot of water so you need to add enough, at least 3 or 4 liters of water.  
  • Add Salt: Do not add a sprinkle of salt, go all in. Ensure you put at least 1 tablespoon of salt in 3 liters of water.  
  • Ensure A Full Rolling Boil: Regardless of how hungry you may be, ensure the water is boiling profusely before adding the spag.
  • Stir: You don't want your spaghetti to stick to each other. Stir the pot at least two or three times as it boils.  
  • Test Your Spaghetti For Readiness: This part is a little bit tricky but here's a secret. Use a Spaghetti tong or a chopstick to fish one out and sink your teeth into it. Once you feel a springy bounce then you know it's ready.  
  • No Covered Pots
  • Spaghetti Only: Don't boil spaghetti with other types of pasta because they may have different cooking times.  

Nutrition

Calories: 464kcalCarbohydrates: 93gProtein: 16gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gSodium: 1789mgPotassium: 279mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gCalcium: 50mgIron: 2mg
Keyword boiled spaghetti, boiled spaghetti recipe, how long to spoil spaghetti, how to boil spaghetti, how to boil spaghetti noodles
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