Hello!

Whenever I cook pasta, I can never seem to get it right. It’s either under or over-cooked. I follow the directions on the packet but it doesn’t help. I’ve Googled “how to cook pasta” & I’ve tried several different methods, but even the dog wouldn’t eat it when I’d finished with it. Please, oh please, any Mums out there who have success cooking pasta, can you pass your hints and advice on to me? There has to be an easy “idiot-proof” method out there somewhere. I just haven’t found it yet.


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  • I just put the pasta in a pot and pour a royal amount of boiling water over it (pasta needs to be more than fully covered). I do not add oil or salt. Just bring it again to a boil whilst stirring. Cover, lower the heat and stir regularly whilst it’s boiling. Drain as soon it’ s cooked


  • all you need is boiling water with some salt. make sure you don’t add to much pasta for your water. and always try it before you take it off the stove to see if its done


  • Pasta is tricly for me too and took me a while . Put in fully boiled water ( and pot must be big ) and then after you boil about 10 mins , take one out and bite into it . You will know it is not cooked because it is still raw in the middle. Then check again every 1 -2 mins. Don’t leave the stove . Every time I do it overcooks and then I swear at myself for not being patient . Good luck .


  • Make sure you bring your water to a boil BEFORE you add your pasta! Add some salt for flavour & oil to make sure it doesn’t stick.
    We only use San Remo pasta as I found every other brand just wouldn’t cook right.
    Cook for approx 10 minutes then taste test every few minutes until its to your taste.
    Don’t go by the appearance or feel because it can be very difficult to tell.


  • We boil the water,add a teaspoon of salt,add pasta,stir the pasta and cook as directed on the packet,sometimes it may need a one or two mins more so you check it in the last stages!


  • I use a tuperware container in the microwave


  • I love to add salt to make sure it doesn’t stick.. Oil or butter in the water also helps. Boil the water first, then maybe turn it down a little if you over cook it, I find once it boils again I test it every 30 seconds.


  • Hmm a dilema, salt the water , do it on the stovetop, follow the cooking time, add oil after cooking so it doesnt stick together.


  • Dry pasta 11 minutes.

    fresh pasta, 2-3 minutes. Keep pulling it up and trying it.


  • A big pot full of cold water. Let it boil. Add some salt. Add your pasta. Cook according to instructions. Don’t overcook. Drain. Mix with the sauce immediately.


  • yeah everyone says don’t use oil now


  • I always put a little glug of olive oil and a pinch of salt in the water.


  • Cooking pasta can be tricky and like most things it takes practice! I find if you add pasta to boiling water with a tablespoon of olive oil it certainly makes a difference, also stir regularly and taste test! remember drain quickly and rinse with cold water once you are happy with your ‘al dente’ pasta as it will continue to cook!


  • goodluck, I hope you get the perfect pasta soon


  • my partner gets the water boiling first and then adds the pasta


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