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    Home » Pasta recipes » How To Boil Pasta

    Published: Feb 5, 2023 by Kemi · This post may contain affiliate links

    How To Boil Pasta

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    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    This post will show you how to boil pasta in easy quick steps. Boiling pasta is a simple process and in less than 15 minutes you get perfectly boiled pasta that can be served with sauce, used in salad, or in baked pasta.

    Boiled pasta in a colander.

    How To Boil Pasta (Boiled Pasta Recipe)

    Knowing how to boil pasta perfectly is a game changer and your pasta meals will thank you for it.

    Boiling pasta is a simple process that anyone can successfully carry out once they learn how to. It's super easy and quick!

    Boiled pasta is versatile and makes the basis of many pasta dishes like tuna pasta, and Italian pasta salad. It can be used in baked pasta, cooked in sauce, with chicken, and it can be served as a side or the main dish.

    Any type of pasta can be boiled be it sheet, short or long pasta. Long pasta examples are spaghetti, tagliatelle, linguine, and fettuccine. Short pasta are fusilli, macaroni, penne, rotini. The boiling method is the same but the cooking time varies slightly according to the type.

    Boiling pasta on the stove is the best way, however in this post, I have also included how to boil pasta in the microwave for when you don't have access to a stove, or just want to make a small quantity in the microwave.

    This boiled pasta recipe is stress-free, and in less than 15 minutes you can get it ready.

    boiled pasta served on a white plate.

    Ingredients

    Pasta- I used penne but you can use any type of pasta. Linguine,fusilli, rigatoni, etc.

    Salt

    Water

    ingredients displayed.

    How To Boil Pasta

    Here's a step-by-step of how to :

    Add water to a deep pot, cover it, and bring it to a rapid boil on the stovetop on high heat.

    When the water is boiling, add salt, and pasta to it and stir.

    boiling water, salt and pasta in a pot.

    Boil pasta on heat for 8-12 minutes.

    Don't cover the pasta while it's boiling.

    After 4 minutes, stir the pasta to avoid it sticking together, and continue to cook it for another 4 minutes.

    When the pasta is cooked aldente or to how soft you like it, pour it in a colander to drain.

    Use pasta or serve immediately.

    How To Boil Pasta In The Microwave

    It is possible to boil pasta in the microwave. Here's how to do it:

    Pour water into a microwave-safe bowl then add salt, and pasta then stir.

    Place the bowl in the microwave, and set the microwave to high settings. Microwave pasta for 5 minutes.

    After 5 minutes, bring out the bowl, stir the pasta, and continue to cook it on high settings for another 5 minutes.

    Bring the bowl out, and drain the pasta in a colander.

    How Long To Boil Pasta

    This depends on the size, quantity, and type of pasta and how soft you want the pasta cooked. Some pasta cooks faster than others, however, generally how long to boil pasta is between 6- 15 minutes.

    Follow this guide:

    How long to boil penne pasta is 12 minutes.

    For how long to boil angel hair pasta is 3-6 minutes.

    How long to boil fresh pasta is 3-5 minutes.

    Spaghetti, tagliatelle, linguine, and fettucine takes 8-12 minutes.

    Short pasta like rigatoni, fusilli, and macaroni, takes 10-12 minutes to cook.

    It's advisable to check the packaging instructions and follow the time guide sticking to the lower end of the time and then adjusting it accordingly.

    Remember when it's undercooked you can still aďd more time to cook it to your desired doneness than for it to be overcooked.

    displayed in a colander.

    What To Serve With Boiled Pasta

    Chicken in tomato sauce

    Chili con carne

    Baked bone in chicken thighs

    Garlic Chicken Thighs

    Oven baked vegetables

    Air fryer frozen salmon

    How To Store

    If the pasta is not tossed in sauce, add a tablespoon of oil to the pasta and mix to avoid the pasta sticking together.

    In the fridge- When the pasta is cooled, pack it in an airtight container or a Ziploc, label it, and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    In the freezer- when pasta is completely cool, put it in a Ziploc, or an airtight container, label it, then store it in the freezer for up to 6 months.

    How To Reheat

    Boiled pasta can be reheated in the microwave, or on the stove.

    Reheating it in the microwave- Add the pasta to a microwave-safe plate, sprinkle it with 1 tablespoon of water, cover, and microwave it on high settings at 30 seconds intervals until the pasta is warmed through.

    Reheating on the stove - Add water to a pot and boil then add pasta to the boiling water, and cook for 1-2 minutes till it's warmed through.

    served on a plate.

    Tips For Boiling Pasta

    • Use a pot that will adequately contain water and pasta without boiling over.
    • Water should be at least 4 inches above pasta as boiling pasta requires it to be fully immersed in water. I recommend 3 liters of water to 500g of pasta.
    • Water should be boiling before adding salt and pasta.
    • If you will be storing the pasta for later, add a bit of oil to the water as this helps prevent the pasta from sticking together when cold.
    • Let the water start to boil before adding salt.
    • Pasta is best served warm or can be used cold in salads.

    FAQS

    Is it better to boil pasta in milk or water?

    It is easier and cheaper to boil pasta in water. Pasta is generally boiled in water however it can be boiled in milk if being used for a creamy pasta recipe.

    Do you let the water boil before adding pasta?

    It is important to let the water boil before adding pasta to avoid it getting soggy. Continue to cook pasta on medium to high heat after water is boiled. This gives a perfectly cooked pasta that is not soggy.

    Is it better to boil pasta covered or uncovered?

    Once the pasta is added to boiling water, it should not be covered. The pot can be covered before adding pasta to quickly bring the water to boil.

    Do you boil pasta with the lid on?

    You should boil pasta with the pot lid off.

    displayed in a colander.

    Tools You'll Need

    Pot

    Spoon

    Colander

    Fork

    More Simple Boiled Food Recipes

    Boiled ground beef

    Boiled chicken breast

    How to boil cabbage

    Boiled fish

    Boiled carrots

    How to boil chicken thighs

    More Pasta Recipes

    Creamy tomato pasta

    Ground beef pasta

    Fried spaghetti

    Sardine pasta

    Jamaican rasta pasta

    I hope you like this how to boil pasta post as much as we do. If you find this post helpful, please rate it 5 stars and leave me a comment below. I love reading from you.

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    Boiled pasta in a colander.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    How To Boil Pasta

    This post will show you how to boil pasta in easy quick steps. Boiling pasta is a simple process and in less than 15 minutes you get perfectly boiled pasta that can be served with sauce, used in salad, or in baked pasta.
    Prep Time2 mins
    Cook Time10 mins
    Total Time12 mins
    Course: Main Course, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American, British, Italian
    Keyword: boiling pasta, how long to boil pasta, how to boil pasta
    Servings: 4
    Author: Kemi

    Equipment

    • Pot
    • Colander
    • Fork
    • Spoon

    Ingredients

    • 500 g Pasta
    • 1 tablespoon Salt
    • Water

    Instructions

    • Add water to a deep pot, cover it and bring it to a rapid boil on the stovetop on high heat.
    • When the water is boiling, add salt, and pasta to it and stir.
    • Boil pasta on heat for 8-12 minutes.
      Don't cover the pasta while it's boiling.
    • After 4 minutes, stir the pasta to avoid it sticking together and continue to boil it for another 4 minutes.
    • When the pasta is cooked aldente or to how soft you like it, pour it in a colander to drain.
      Use pasta or serve immediately.

    Notes

    • Use a pot that will adequately contain water and pasta without boiling over.
    • Water should be at least 4 inches above pasta as boiling pasta requires it to be fully immersed in water. I recommend 3 liters of water to 500g pasta.
    • Water should be boiling before adding salt and pasta.
    • If you will be storing the pasta for later, add a bit of oil to the water as this helps prevent the pasta from sticking together when cold.
    • Let the water start to boil before adding salt.
    • Pasta is best served warm or can be used cold in salads.

    Did you make this recipe? Great! Rate it by clicking the stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leaving a comment below. Don't forget to share this post with your friends, families, and also on your favorite Pinterest and Facebook.

    Related posts:

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    « Boiled Ground Beef Recipe
    Fish Marinade Recipe »

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