How do Italians cook pasta al dente?

Italians cook pasta in abundant salted water, taste test before the package time, and finish in sauce for texture and flavor.

How to make perfect al dente pasta?

Use plenty of water, salt generously, stir early, taste-test often, and stop cooking when the center is just slightly firm.

How to cook pasta like Italians?

Combine technique and timing: salted boiling water, early stirring, constant tasting, and tossing pasta with sauce right away.

How do professionals cook pasta?

Chefs time pasta precisely, save starchy water, and always finish cooking pasta in sauce for maximum flavor binding.

Perfect Al Dente Every Time: How to Cook Pasta Like an

Name: Perfect Al Dente Pasta: How to Cook Pasta Like an Italian Chef
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 pound (450g) dried pasta – spaghetti, penne, or your favorite shape; 4 quarts (3.8 liters) water – plenty of space for pasta to move freely; 1 ½ tablespoons sea salt – never skip this step; Optional: 1 tablespoon olive oil (only if making pasta for cold salads)

Perfect Al Dente Pasta: How to Cook Pasta Like an Italian Chef

Print Recipe

Learn the authentic Italian method to cook pasta perfectly al dente every time, with foolproof steps, chef tips, and variations.

Author: Eva
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Dish
Method: Boiling
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound (450g) dried pasta – spaghetti, penne, or your favorite shape
4 quarts (3.8 liters) water – plenty of space for pasta to move freely
1 ½ tablespoons sea salt – never skip this step
Optional: 1 tablespoon olive oil (only if making pasta for cold salads)

Instructions

Fill a large pot with at least 4 quarts of water per pound of pasta.
Bring water to a rolling boil and add 1 ½ tablespoons of sea salt.
Drop pasta into the water and stir for the first 30 seconds to prevent sticking.
Check package cooking time but taste test 2 minutes before it ends.
Test for al dente — pasta should be firm with a slight resistance when bitten.
Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
Drain pasta without rinsing.
Add pasta to warm sauce, toss for 1–2 minutes, adding pasta water if needed.

Notes

Use bronze-cut pasta for better sauce absorption. Fresh pasta cooks faster. Always finish pasta in the sauce, not separately.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 210
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 440mg
Fat: 2g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 42g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 8g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: pasta, al dente, Italian cooking, spaghetti, penne, pasta tips

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