Introduction
Who is the daring one who rejects a plate of pasta? It’s hard to meet someone who doesn’t like it, and it’s even harder to meet someone who hasn’t cooked a plate of macaroni or spaghetti. In fact, many teenagers begin their adventures in the kitchen by boiling water to enjoy a good plate of pasta with tomato and cheese after an intense academic day. But whether they are young or old, it is likely that on some occasion the pasta has gotten stuck in the pot.
Tips to prevent pasta from sticking
To prevent the pasta from sticking during cooking, you can follow these tips and you will be guaranteed success.
Use a large pot
It is essential to use a pot large enough so that the pasta has room to move. Doing it in a container that is too small causes spaghetti, for example, to clump and stick.
Add enough water
Use a generous amount of water. The general rule is 1 liter of water for every 100 grams of pasta. This helps the pasta have room to move and not stick.
Add salt to the water
Before adding the pasta, add salt to the water. This not only enhances the flavour of the pasta, but also helps to keep it separate. The recommended ratio is one tablespoon of salt for every 2-3 litres of water.
Stir the pasta regularly
During the first minutes of cooking, stir the pasta with a wooden spoon or spatula. Then, stir it occasionally. This helps the pasta not stick to each other.
Add a small amount of olive oil
Although it is not mandatory, you can add a small amount of olive oil to the cooking water to prevent the pasta from sticking. However, keep in mind that this may cause the sauce to not adhere as well to the pasta.
Cook pasta al dente
Follow the package instructions for cooking time and test the pasta a few minutes before the indicated time is up. The pasta has to be cooked but with a slight firmness to the bite.
Rinse the pasta briefly with cold water
If you are not going to use the pasta immediately, rinse it briefly with cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking. However, this can remove some of the starch that helps the sauce stick to the pasta. Add the sauce immediately and mix well.
Conclusion
By following these tips, you will be able to enjoy perfectly cooked pasta without it sticking to the pot during or after cooking.
