How to Tell if Pasta Is Ready

By eHow Food & Drink Editor

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Perfectly cooked pasta is called "al dente," which in Italian means "to the tooth." Al dente pasta is cooked just enough to retain a firm texture while being fully pliable.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Pasta
Colanders
Pot Of Boiling Water
Stockpots

Step1

Boil the pasta according to the package's instructions.

Step2

At the minimum cooking time indicated on the package, or even a minute before, remove a piece of pasta from the boiling water with a fork.

Step3

When it has cooled enough to touch, taste it.

Step4

If the pasta is mildly chewy but doesn't stick in your teeth, it is done.

Step5

If the pasta seems a little hard or sticks to your teeth, cook it 1 minute longer and test it again.

Step6

Avoid overcooking your pasta.

Tips & Warnings

If you don't relish tasting hot pasta, cut a piece in half. Then look at the cross-section of the pasta. If you can see a difference between the very center and the outer ring of the pasta, it's not done. If the pasta is one continuous shade and texture, it's done.
Remove the pasta the moment you discover it to be "al dente" and eat it immediately.
Italians never rinse their pasta.
That "flinging the pasta against the wall" method might be fun, but it's not so reliable. Overdone pasta sticks, too.

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Comments

FurryLoo said

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on 11/18/2008 Ah yes, I too throw my pasta up to the ceiling. My husband taught me this and it has never failed us.

said

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on 11/22/2005 Remove a piece of pasta with a fork. Throw it up to the ceiling (be careful it may fall onto your head). If it sticks, the pasta is ready. Eat the rest! This also gives a nice decoration to your kitchen. ;-)