what you need to do before cooking them for a perfect result

Cooking pasta is an essential element in your recipes based on this food. To obtain well-cooked and tasty pasta, you must follow a few easy but important steps, respecting the cooking time indicated on the package. There is also a trick to apply before immersing them in water. Here’s how to get well-cooked, delicious pasta, with tips from Italian chef Fabrizio Ferrara.

Spaghetti Bolognese – Source: spm

The best cooking techniques for perfect pasta

Beyond the cooking time, which can vary depending on the type of pasta, the shape and the raw material from which it is made, there are steps to follow to prepare this very famous Italian dish.

Whether you cook it the classic way or prefer baked pasta, the first step is universal: boiling. This process aims to soften them without them melting or sticking, or being too soft or too hard.

In addition to the pasta, you only need two ingredients: water and salt. Boil them in a large pot to give them space. Also keep a large bowl and colander handy.

Fill the pot with enough water to submerge the pasta completely. Bring the saucepan to a boil over medium-high heat.

Salt the water with about a tablespoon of salt. This secret enhances the taste of pasta and starchy foods in general.

When the water begins to boil, add the pasta. Do not cover the pan to follow the traditional recipe. Stir them from time to time to prevent them from sticking. Top chefs advise not to let them boil longer than necessary. In general, the cooking time is indicated on the packaging.

Turn the heat down to medium and taste the pasta to make sure it doesn’t burn. If you prefer them less al dente, leave them on the heat a little longer.

Cooking pasta – Source: spm

How long does it take to cook pasta?

The cooking time for pasta depends on the type of pasta used and the cooking method. For example, cannelloni in the microwave will take less time than al dente pasta.

If you are using fresh pasta, boil a liter of water in a saucepan and add 2 tablespoons of salt. When the water boils, add the pasta and lower the heat to simmer for three minutes. If you opted for cannelloni, follow the same process but let it cook for six minutes.

To cook whole-wheat pasta, add to boiling water and reduce heat to medium. Let the pasta cook for eight minutes, but this can vary depending on the type of pasta you’re using, so be sure to check the package directions.

A trick is to cook the pasta two minutes less than indicated in the recipes. This will ensure that your pasta will be al dente, perfectly cooked and ready to eat.

It is important to prepare the pasta correctly to prevent it from sticking together, whether during cooking or when removing it from the pan. To achieve this, here are some key tips that will ensure you have a successful dish without having to worry about sticky pasta that no one wants to eat.

1 – First of all, do not rinse the pasta with cold water after cooking. This is because while it keeps the pasta from sticking, the starch in it is important because it helps the sauce stick to the surface of the pasta. In addition, it causes them to lose their texture and flavor. So just use a colander to drain the pasta, without rinsing it.

2 – Prepare your sauce before the end of cooking the pasta. This way you can mix them immediately and prevent them from sticking when you remove them from the pan.

3 – When you add the pasta to the boiling water, do it little by little so that the water continues to boil. This will prevent the pasta from sticking together. Also, be careful not to add too much pasta at once, as this can cause uneven cooking.

4 – Stir the pasta regularly during cooking to prevent it from sticking.

No need to add oil to the pan, it is useless. This is a common practice among some to prevent the pasta from sticking, but in reality it just greases the food. If an Italian sees you doing this, he might even think you’ve committed culinary sacrilege!

Cooking the pasta with their sauce – Source: spm

There is an interesting trick for cooking pasta without boiling water, just cook it directly in the sauce you plan to mix it with. This method cooks the pasta directly in its sauce on the stovetop, resulting in a creamier texture and more intense flavor. All you need to do is pour the sauce into a large skillet, add the raw pasta and cook over low heat, stirring, until al dente.

This method is particularly suitable for baked pasta, such as lasagna or any other dish that will then be baked. Indeed, it allows you to cook the pasta at the same time as the sauce, avoiding dirtying an additional pan to boil the water.

By using this technique, you will get tasty and perfectly cooked pasta, with a sauce that coats it deliciously. Remember to stir regularly to prevent the pasta from sticking together or burning on the bottom of the pan.

Easy preparation of pasta carbonara

Carbonara sauce is one of the most famous pasta sauces, along with Bolognese sauce. There are many variations of it, but for this spaghetti carbonara recipe, we are going to use the basic ingredients from the Italian recipe, while adding a little heavy cream to give the sauce more consistency.

Here are the ingredients you will need:

400 grams of spaghetti
100 grams of smoked bacon or pancetta
400 grams of fresh cream
3 egg yolks
1 tablespoon of butter
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
300 grams of parmesan, grated
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Here’s how:

Prepare all the ingredients before you start preparing the spaghetti carbonara.
Heat a large amount of water in a saucepan and add a pinch of salt. Boil the spaghetti according to the manufacturer’s instructions on the package. Drain them and reserve them.
While the pasta is cooking, heat a skillet over medium heat and melt the butter. Add the chopped onion and brown it.
Then add the bacon or pancetta cut into strips and the crushed garlic to the pan. Fry until the bacon is crispy.
In a separate bowl, mix the egg yolks with 100 grams of grated parmesan. Salt and pepper to your liking.
Add the crème fraîche to the pan with the bacon and onion. Mix well and simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes.
Remove the pan from the heat and add the mixture of egg yolks and parmesan. Stir quickly to prevent the eggs from coagulating.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat the spaghetti with the sauce.
Serve hot, garnished with grated parmesan.