5 Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Pasta (And How to Avoid Them)

Pasta is one of the most popular and beloved dishes worldwide, but there are some common mistakes that can ruin the perfect dish. If you want to make pasta like an Italian chef, avoid the following errors:

1. Cooking with Too Little Water

One of the most common mistakes is using too little water in the pot. When pasta cooks in a small amount of water, it sticks together and becomes too sticky. It is recommended to use about 4 liters of water for every 500 grams of pasta. The ample water allows the pasta to move freely, preventing sticking.

2. Adding Oil to the Cooking Water

Many people think that oil in the water prevents pasta from sticking, but in reality, it only causes the sauce to slide off and not absorb properly. If you want to prevent sticking, just mix the pasta well during cooking.

3. Rinsing Pasta with Cold Water

After draining the pasta, some people rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking. The problem is that this also washes away the starch, which helps the sauce adhere to the pasta. Leave the pasta hot and add it straight to the sauce so it can absorb the flavors better.

4. Overcooking the Pasta

Overcooked pasta loses its al dente texture and becomes too soft. It is recommended to check the pasta about a minute before the time indicated on the package and taste it to ensure it is still slightly firm in the center. If you are adding the pasta to a sauce, remember that it continues to cook a bit after draining.

5. Adding Cold Sauce to Hot Pasta

When you add cold sauce to pasta straight from the water, a separation forms between the pasta and the sauce, resulting in an uneven taste. It's important to heat the sauce beforehand and mix it with the pasta while it's hot, so it perfectly absorbs.