7 Mistakes You’re Making While Cooking Pasta

Not Enough Water

Use a large pot with 4–6 quarts of water per pound of pasta to avoid clumping.

Skipping Salt

Add 1–2 tablespoons of salt per gallon of water for flavorful pasta.

Adding Oil to Water

Skip the oil—stir pasta occasionally to prevent sticking.

Overcooking

Check pasta early and cook until al dente.

Rinsing Pasta

Don’t rinse hot pasta; it removes the starch that helps sauce stick.

Discarding Pasta Water

Save a cup of pasta water to adjust sauce consistency.

Not Mixing Pasta and Sauce

Toss pasta with sauce in a pan for even coating.