Pasta is one of the most beloved and versatile dishes in the world. Whether it’s a quick weeknight meal or an elegant dinner for guests, the ability to make perfect pasta every time can elevate any dish. But achieving that perfect al dente texture and flavor requires more than just boiling water and tossing in noodles. Here’s how you can master the art of cooking pasta and create meals that are always delicious, satisfying, and perfectly cooked.

1. Use Plenty of Water

One of the most common mistakes when cooking pasta is not using enough water. When pasta is boiled in too little water, it becomes starchy and sticks together, resulting in a clumpy mess rather than individual strands of pasta. To avoid this, use a large pot with at least 4-6 quarts of water for every pound of pasta. This allows the pasta to move freely and cook evenly, ensuring it doesn’t stick or become too soft.

Additionally, bring the water to a rolling boil before adding the pasta. This ensures the noodles cook quickly and evenly from the start. Adding salt to the boiling water is also key. Not only does it help season the pasta as it cooks, but it also enhances the overall flavor of the dish. Use about 1-2 tablespoons of salt per gallon of water.

2. Follow the Cooking Time – But Taste as You Go

Every pasta shape has a recommended cooking time listed on the package, but these times can be a bit of a guideline rather than a hard rule. To achieve the perfect pasta, it’s important to start checking the noodles a minute or two before the suggested cooking time. The best way to check is by tasting the pasta to see if it’s “al dente,” or firm to the bite, without being crunchy.

It’s important to remember that pasta continues to cook for a minute or so after draining, so if it’s just shy of perfect, it will finish cooking as you combine it with your sauce. If you want to achieve the perfect texture every time, start tasting a couple of minutes before the timer goes off, and remove the pasta when it’s just about right.

3. Save Some Pasta Water

Before draining your pasta, always save a cup or two of the cooking water. This starchy water is liquid gold when it comes to making pasta sauce. It can be added to your sauce to thicken it, enhance the flavor, and help the sauce adhere to the noodles. Simply add a small amount of pasta water to your sauce and stir well—this creates a silky texture that makes the dish taste more cohesive.

If you’re making a simple pasta with olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes, a little pasta water can help emulsify the oil and create a smoother sauce. If you’re making a heavier sauce like Alfredo or marinara, the pasta water will help create a more velvety consistency, making your sauce cling to the noodles perfectly.

4. Don’t Overcook – Let the Sauce Do the Work

Pasta should be cooked until it’s al dente, meaning it should have a slight bite to it. Overcooking pasta leads to a mushy texture, which can ruin the entire dish. Once the pasta is drained, do not return it to the pot or let it sit in the hot water, as it will continue to cook.

Instead, add the pasta directly to your prepared sauce and toss to combine. The pasta will finish cooking in the sauce, absorbing all of those delicious flavors. This step is especially important when making pasta dishes like carbonara, where the sauce should be creamy and coat the pasta without turning it into a soup.

5. Toss Your Pasta with the Sauce Immediately

After draining your pasta, it’s essential to toss it with the sauce right away. This helps the pasta absorb the sauce, infusing it with flavor. If you let the pasta sit too long before adding the sauce, it can become dry and less flavorful. Always aim to mix your pasta with the sauce over medium heat for 1-2 minutes, allowing the two to marry together beautifully.