How to Fry Pasta After Boiling

Fry pasta for a different taste and texture.

Many people fry pasta before they are cooked, but pasta can also be fried after they have been boiled in water. Frying boiled pasta changes the texture from soft and stringy to crispy. There are at least two ways to fry boiled pasta, both in a small amount of oil and in a large amount of oil. Each method produces a slightly different texture and flavor to the pasta. The pan-fried pasta still retains some softness while the submerged cooking method makes the pasta hard and crispy all the way through. Use fried pasta in salads, as a garnish, in boiled vegetables and as a topper for casseroles. Does this Spark an idea?

Print this article

Soft, boiled pasta
Two quart pot or deep skillet
Vegetable oil
Cooking thermometer
Paper towels
Tongs
Kitchen scissors

Instructions

Skillet Method
- 1
  
  Place one or two tablespoons of oil in a skillet. Use less oil for a smaller skillet and more for a larger skillet. The oil should coat the bottom of the pan.
- 2
  
  Heat the oil to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, or to about medium heat. The oil should smoke slightly and bubble when you place a few drops of water in the oil. Place the pasta in the skillet with tongs.
- 3
  
  Heat the pasta for about three minutes until golden brown. Don't stir the pasta. Flip the pasta and cook for an additional three minutes on the other side. If the pasta start to brown too quickly, or smell burned, turn them over sooner and turn down the heat.
- 4
  
  Remove the pasta from the pan with tongs and transfer to a paper towel-covered plate.
Pot Method
- 5
  
  Place about three or four inches of oil into the pot. Heat the oil to 375 degrees Fahrenheit using the medium heat setting.
- 6
  
  Cut the pasta into three or four inch long segments with kitchen scissors.
- 7
  
  Place the pasta inside the oil with tongs. Place a small amount of pasta inside the oil, to allow them to spread out if they expand. Use the tongs to separate the pasta slightly.
- 8
  
  Allow the pasta to cook for about one minute or until golden brown. It may take up to three minutes to brown the pasta.
- 9
  
  Remove the pasta from the pot using the tongs and spread to dry on a plate covered in paper towels.

Photo Credit Ableimages/Lifesize/Getty Images

Comments

How to Boil Spaghetti
This article will show you how to boil spaghetti to perfection.
How to Heat Oil for Beignets
Learn How to heat oil for traditional New Orleans style beignets with expert cooking tips in this free Cajun cuisine video clip.