If your spaghetti sticks together, you didn’t use enough water or you forgot to stir it right after dropping it in. Stir immediately with a wooden spoon for the first 30 seconds—it breaks up the surface starch.
If it’s still undercooked when the timer rings? Don’t panic. Add a half-cup of hot water to the sauce and let the pasta finish simmering with the lid on for two minutes. You’ll rescue it. If it’s overcooked? Embrace it for a cold pasta salad tomorrow—toss it with olive oil, herbs, and diced tomatoes.
The "Perfect Every Time" Cheat Sheet
- Fill pot with 4-6 quarts of water per pound.
- Salt heavily after boiling.
- Drop pasta, stir, and set timer for 8 minutes.
- Taste every 30 seconds after 7 minutes.
- Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Finish in the sauce for 1-2 minutes.
