How to Cook Perfectly Al Dente Pasta (No Timer Required)

Cooking pasta to that perfect al dente is simple - just follow these easy tips!

Boil water. Throw pasta in a pot. Give it a stir. Wait a bit. Fish it out. Cooking pasta is a very simple culinary task, but there is a lot of nuance in each of those steps. Giada has already given us her helpful do's and don't's for cooking pasta, but we're going to take it a step further by explaining just how to ensure you cook that pasta perfectly al dente - and no, it does not include throwing your spaghetti on the wall! (If it actually sticks to the wall, it's overcooked!)
So, let's begin!

What Is "Al Dente," Anyway?

Virtually every pasta recipe by Giada mentions "al dente," but what does it really mean? It translates to "to the tooth," and it describes pasta that still has a firm bite. Essentially, it means the pasta is just slightly undercooked in the center. There are three main purposes for cooking pasta this way. First and most importantly, most recipes require further cooking of the pasta in a sauce. Cooking the pasta until al dente ensures that it won't turn to mush during this phase (and if you're going to be cooking the pasta al forno (aka, in the oven) you may want to cook it even less!)
Secondly, from a taste and texture perspective, pasta is simply meant to have some bite to it. Chewy, and firm enough to stand up to all sauces, ragus and veggies you may be serving it with - that's the goal. A bite of mush is, quite frankly, not as satisfying!
Lastly, there's actually a nutritional reason behind al dente pasta as well. When pasta is slightly undercooked, the grains of starch get hydrated by the water without, all getting released away into the pot. Overcooked pasta can block up your digestion, while a perfect al dente is digested more gradually - which prevents spikes in blood sugar. Who would have thought? So, here's how to reap all those flavor, texture and nutritional benefits!

Step 1: Get A Big Enough Pot

Giada always tells us "pasta needs room to swim," so if you cook pasta often, it's worth getting a big enough pot so that there's space for water to circulate between the noodles. If there isn't enough room, noodles inevitably stick together, and those pieces will cook at a slower rate. You also run the risk of getting pasta stuck to the bottom of the pot if it isn't big enough.
 

Step 2: FULL Rolling Boil!

Don't get impatient when the water is just at a slow champagne-bubble simmer! A full "rolling" boil is obvious when you see it - it's the hottest that water will get, with large bubbles vigorously rising to the surface and bursting. If you're unsure, you can always check the temperature of the water - a rolling boil is 212 degrees F.
Waiting for that full rolling boil is so important, as it creates tons of movement in the pot, circulating water around each individual noodle so they get evenly cooked and nothing sticks together. It's also inevitable that the water temperature will briefly drop when you add in all that pasta, though it will rebound quickly. If you try to cut corners and add the pasta in too early, you'll have flat, unmoving water for a longer time, and all that pasta will cook unevenly. Patience is key!

 

Step 3: Stir Every So Often

Right after you add that pasta, give it a stir to loosen up the noodles. If the water temperature drops significantly and the boil halts, you'll want to keep the pasta moving around in the pot by hand to avoid sticking. Swirl the water around with a wooden spoon or pasta spider every minute or two to ensure even cooking.
 

Step 4: Taste, Taste, Taste!

This is really the only way to tell that the pasta is ready. Keep in mind how thick the pasta you're cooking is - if you're cooking a very thin pasta such as angel hair or spaghettini, start tasting it after just 4 or 5 minutes. Check little noodles like pastina or orzo after about 8 minutes. Most thicker pastas, especially artisanal ones like our Giadzy Pasta, should start getting checked after 9 to 11 minutes. What you're looking for in a perfectly al dente noodle is a good chew with a slightly undercooked layer in the center. If you cut the noodle in half, you should see a slight color variation in the middle of the pasta that isn't completely hydrated.