How to cook perfect pasta every time

How to cook perfect pasta

 Here’s the cooking class you didn’t know you needed

There’s nothing worse than overcooked gluggy pasta, except maybe undercooked chewy pasta 😊 So what is the secret to cook perfect pasta? Here’s a simple step by step process to follow:

 

Fill a large pot with water and bring to the boil

Choose a pot that leaves enough room to stir the pasta and that it can bubble away without boiling over while cooking. Season the water with a pinch of salt (optional).

 

Add raw pasta

Bring water to boiling point, add raw pasta, then bring it back to the boil and give it a good stir. To prevent pasta clumping or sticking together stir it a few times during the cooking process.

 

Check the cooking time on the packet

Set a timer for 1 or 2 minutes less than stated on the packet so you can test to see if it’s done to your liking.  Make sure that the pasta is always covered with water while cooking. If you need to top up, add boiling water from a kettle.

 

Test if the pasta is cooked

When the timer goes off, use a spoon or tongs to remove a piece or strand of pasta from the water. Allow it to cool for a few seconds then bite into it – it should be soft but firm in the centre. Pasta will need longer cooking time if it still feels hard when you bite into it. The key is to not cook it too long as gluggy pasta isn’t appetising.

 

Drain into a colander

Run hot water over the pasta to remove excess starch.

CHEFS TIP: If you aren’t using the pasta straight away you may want to add just a little olive oil to the pasta and fold through to prevent it sticking together.

 

Serve with a sauce of your choice

You’ll find lots of delicious pasta sauces in my Sauces for Pasta section in book 3Boscaiola Sauce and Creamy Pumpkin and Pinenut Sauce are 2 of my personal favourites. Plus, there are pasta recipes in all of my 9 cookbooks.

 

Perfect pasta recipes to cook

So, now you know how to cook perfect pasta, why not add some deliciously healthy pasta recipes to your weekly dinner menu. Here are some more of my fabulous pasta recipes you might like to try.

Chicken Pesto Pasta –  Book 5 & MORE Cooking for 1 or 2 people

Macaroni BeefBook 2 & MORE Cooking for 1 or 2 people

Annie’s Pasta SaladBook 4 & Cooking for 1 or 2 people

Penne Pasta in Creamy Bacon SauceBook 4 & Cooking for 1 or 2 people

Creamy Chicken and BroccoliMORE Cooking for 1 or 2 people

And of course, my Basic Bolognaise in Book 1 and Cooking for 1 or 2 people

This is just a snippet of the pasta recipes in my 9 cookbooks. Check out the starters & light meals, vegetables, seafood, chicken and meat sections as they all include pasta recipes. And don’t forget to check out the variations as many recipes show different protein options to mix things up a bit.

Watch me make my Macaroni Beef in the video below*

*Promotions and competitions are no longer current.

Final tip

When making my recipes, if you’re wondering whether the pasta used in the recipe is cooked or raw, here’s a tip. Look at the method and if states to cook pasta as instructed on packet, you’ll know that the measurement in the ingredient list is the raw pasta quantity. Otherwise you’ll know it’s the cooked pasta quantity that’s shown.

Featured recipe: Creamy Chicken and Broccoli from MORE Cooking for 1 or 2 people.


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