Cooking pasta is an essential element in your recipes based on this food. To obtain well-cooked and tasty pasta, you need to follow some simple but important steps, respecting the cooking times indicated on the packaging. There is also a trick to apply before soaking them in water. See how to get well-cooked and delicious pasta, with advice from Italian chef Fabrizio Ferrara.
The best cooking techniques for perfect pasta
In addition to the cooking time, which may vary depending on the type of pasta, its shape and the raw material from which it is made, there are steps to follow to prepare this 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 together, or becoming too soft or too hard.
In addition to the pasta, you only need two ingredients: water and salt. Boil them in a large pan to make room. Also keep a large bowl and strainer handy.
Fill the pan with enough water to completely submerge the dough. Bring the pan to a boil over medium-high heat.
Salt the water with about a tablespoon of salt. This secret enhances the flavor of pasta and flour products in general.
When the water starts to boil, add the pasta. Do not cover the pan to follow the traditional recipe. Stir them occasionally to prevent them from sticking. Top chefs recommend not boiling them longer than necessary. Normally the cooking time is indicated on the packaging.
Lower the heat to medium and check the noodles to make sure they don’t burn. If you prefer less al dente, leave them on the heat a little longer.
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, microwaving cannelloni takes less time than al dente pasta.
If using fresh pasta, boil a liter of water in a pan 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 procedure, but let it cook for six minutes.
To cook whole wheat pasta, place in 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 are using, so check the package instructions.
One trick is to cook the pasta two minutes less than the recipe says. This will ensure your pasta is al dente, perfectly cooked and ready to eat.
How to cook spaghetti so it doesn’t stick together?
It is important to prepare the dough well to prevent it from sticking, both during cooking and when removing it from the pan. To achieve this, here are some important tips that will ensure you have a successful dish without having to worry about sticky dough that no one wants to eat.
1 – Firstly, do not rinse the pasta with cold water after cooking. This is because, although it prevents the pasta from sticking, the starch contained in it is important because it helps the sauce adhere to the surface of the pasta. It also makes them lose texture and flavor. Then just use a sieve to drain the pasta, without rinsing.
2 – Prepare the sauce before the pasta is cooked. This way you can mix them immediately and prevent them from sticking when you remove them from the pan.
3 – When putting the pasta in the boiling water, do it little by little so that the water continues to boil. This will prevent the dough from sticking. Also, be careful not to add too much batter at once as this can cause uneven cooking.
4 – Stir the dough regularly during cooking to prevent it from sticking.
There is no need to add oil to the pan, it is useless. This is a common practice among some to prevent the dough from sticking, but it actually only makes the food fat. If an Italian sees you doing this, they might think you’ve committed culinary sacrilege!
How to cook pasta without boiling water?
There’s an interesting trick to cooking pasta without boiling water: just cook them directly in the sauce you plan to mix. This method cooks the pasta directly in the sauce on the stove, resulting in a creamier texture and more intense flavor. Just put the sauce in a large pan, 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 be baked later. In fact, it allows you to cook the pasta at the same time as the sauce, avoiding dirtying another pan to boil the water.
With this technique you will obtain a tasty and perfectly cooked pasta, with a sauce that covers it deliciously. Remember to stir regularly to prevent the dough from sticking or burning at the bottom of the pan.
Easy preparation of carbonara pasta
Carbonara sauce is one of the most famous pasta sauces, along with Bolognese sauce. There are many variations, but for this spaghetti carbonara recipe we will use the basic ingredients of the Italian recipe, adding a little 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 excited
1 tablespoon of butter
1 medium onion finely chopped
2 crushed garlic cloves
300 grams of grated parmesan
Salt and black pepper to taste
That’s how:
Prepare all the ingredients before starting to prepare the spaghetti carbonara.
Heat plenty of water in a pan and add a pinch of salt. Boil the spaghetti according to the manufacturer’s instructions on the package. Drain them and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, heat a frying pan over medium heat and melt the butter. Add the chopped onion and brown.
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 taste.
Add the crème fraîche to the skillet with the bacon and onion. Mix well and cook over low heat for about 5 minutes.
Remove the pan from the heat and add the egg yolk and parmesan mixture. Stir quickly to prevent the eggs from curdling.
Add the cooked pasta to the pan and toss well to coat the spaghetti with the sauce.
Serve hot, garnished with grated parmesan.