How to Cook Al Dente Pasta to Perfection (In 5 Easy Steps).

Italians are very sensitive regarding pasta, how to cook it, and how to eat it. There’s even a so-called “pasta etiquette” you should follow, in case you’re sharing a table with Italians, or better yet, cooking for them.

Some of these guidelines include:

• Never break the pasta in half before cooking.
• Cut the pasta using a fork and knife before eating.
• And, of course, always cook the pasta “al dente.”

Al Dente – What Does It Mean?

Al dente means, literally, “to the tooth.” In 1935, Countess Murphy first introduced the term in her cookbook Recipes Of All Nations and defined it with a brief explanation:

“Sufficiently firm to be felt under the tooth.”

Don’t confuse it with “molto al dente,” meaning slightly undercooked, which is an ideal cooking point for when you’re going to cook the pasta twice.

How To Cook Al Dente Pasta.

Step #1 – Boil Water.

There are two secrets here. First, make sure you have a large enough pot and enough water to boil. The ratio is not stone-written but as a rule of thumb:

• 1 liter for every 100 g. of pasta
• 1 US liquid quart for every 4 oz. of pasta

Secondly, bring water to a boil, and don’t add the pasta before reaching this point.

Step #2 – Add Pasta.

Once the water is at a hard boiling, add the pasta (for Jupiter’s sake, don’t break it) into the pot. Remember that this is the only window you have to season the pasta, so add some salt, as well.

Step #3 – Prevent Sticking.

Contrary to popular belief, adding oil (or worse, butter) won’t stop the pasta from sticking. Instead, make sure you have enough boiling water and stir the pasta gently, now and then – it should be enough.

Step #4 – Taste.

Every pasta package comes with cooking instructions, but these are just guidelines. A minute or so before reaching this point, grab a noodle and chew it. You should feel some slight resistance, but the pasta should still feel tender to your bite. If you’re cooking fresh pasta, the cooking time is considerably shorter, so stay sharp and don’t let it overcook.

Step #5 – Serve.

After reaching al dente, drain it in a colander, and let it rest for a couple of minutes. There’s no need for rinsing (and we don’t recommend it since it will prevent the sauce from clinging onto the pasta). After two minutes, toss your favorite sauce on top of it, and Bon Appetite.