Cooking pasta: step by step instructions for your preparation | Life & Knowledge

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Spaghetti, penne, or fusilli…

As a basic ingredient for many people, pasta is an absolute favorite food. To cook pasta perfectly al dente, there are several things you need to pay attention to.

Here you can read how to cook pasta properly.

How long should you cook pasta?

How long pasta It’s best to cook it depending on the type of noodle.

This is the correct way to cook pasta

How much water?: About 1 liter of water should be used for every 100 g of pasta

Add salt to water: About 10 g of salt per liter of water should be added. That’s about a teaspoon.

Check if it is “Al dente”: One minute before the specified time ends, taste the noodles.

Don’t delay!: If you mix the pasta with sauce later, it’s best not to block the pasta. The starch makes the sauce stick better.

Exactly how long pasta should be cooked is often indicated on the package.

When does salt get into water?

Salt should be added to boiling water when cooking pasta. The reason is that salt dissolves more easily in hot water. In addition, the boiling temperature can be slightly increased with salt and this will delay cooking in cold water.

This is especially important for pasta, as the salt can seep into the pasta as it cooks, making it tastier.

What types of pasta are there?

Noodles are available in various shapes and lengths. There are so many different cultures. Here’s an overview of the most popular types of pasta:

Noodles are available in various forms

Photo: Getty Images

category type of pasta Special features
Italian Pasta
Long noodles Spaghetti, linguine, fettucine, tagliatelle, pappardelle, capellini Noodles are round, flat or wide, suitable for sauce or soup
Short noodles Penne, fusilli, farfalle, rigatoni, maccheroni, orecchiette, cavatappi They come in different shapes, ideal for sauces, casseroles or salads
filled noodles Ravioli, tortellini, agnolotti, cannelloni Filled with cheese, meat or vegetables
Special shape Lasagna, cup, strozzapreti Plate or irregular shape
Asian noodles
Wheat noodles Ramen, udon, I mean For soup or fried dishes
Rice noodles Vermicelli, Pad Thai noodles Thin to wide, gluten free
Glass noodles Glass noodles (made from starch, for example mung beans) Transparent, light and soft
Buckwheat noodles Buckwheat It tastes spicy, can be served cold or hot
German noodles
Soft noodles Spaetzle, Schupfnudeln Made from egg or potato mixture, often as a side dish
Wide noodles Tagliatelle Similar to tagliatelle
Other varieties
Spanish Fideua Thin, short noodles, for dishes like paella
Egypt Koshari Macaroni Macaroni, used in spicy rice dishes

How long does cooked pasta last in the refrigerator?

To maintain the freshness and quality of the pasta, it is best to store it in the refrigerator. After cooking, the pasta must cool completely first. Then it must be packed in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag. It can then be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days.