Although spaghetti often denote to a pasta smasher with tomato sauce ( commonly marinara sauce ) , it is really just the name of the pasta shape . Spaghetti is an Italian name for longsighted , thin strings of pasta , typically made of semolina flour and water . Because of its shape , spaghetti pair well with lite and thin sauce that will stick to the pasta . It can be used in a variety of dishes such asbaked spaghetti , spaghetti carbonara , apasta salad , and it can even beadded to soups . Once you know how to prepare it , the choice are endless .
BHG / Sydney Saporito
How to Cook Spaghetti
It simply comes down to moil , cook , drain , and top , but our Test Kitchen has do up with a few crown and trick to achieve the sound resultant for making spaghetti .
Step 1: Bring Water to a Boil
fill up a enceinte pot with plenty of cold water ( use 3 quarts of water for every 4 to 8 troy ounce of dry out spaghetti ) . If desired , tot salt to the water for seasoner . fetch the water to a rolling boiling point .
How to make spaghetti noodles not stick : Some people add a tablespoonful of olive oil or preparation oil to the water to keep the spaghetti from sticking together . However , our Test Kitchen recommends not add oil because it keeps your spaghetti sauce from adhering to the alimentary paste . To prevent the spaghetti from sticking together , make trusted you apply enough water , ready it at a rolling boil , and evoke the spaghetti occasionally during cooking .
Step 2: Add the Spaghetti Noodles
Once the water is boil , add the spaghetti a piddling at a time so the water does n’t block up boil . deoxidize the heat slightly so the water does n’t boil over ; boil , uncovered , until the spaghetti is al dente , using the packet directions as a scout for timing .
Test Kitchen Tip : You do n’t need to come apart spaghetti attic in one-half so they all get submerged in the simmering water at once . After just 30 moment or so , the bonce will soften and the entire bonce will terminate up in the stewing water .
Step 3: Cook Spaghetti Until Al Dente
To bring out spaghetti ’s full , nutty relish , ready it until it has the firm slightly chewy texture known as al dente ( Italian for “ to the tooth ” ) . Test near the ending of cookery clip by giving it a taste .
Step 4: Drain and Serve
When the spaghetti is cooked al dente , drain it in a cullender and shake well to remove superfluous urine that could make your sauce runny . Toss noodle with your favorite sauce ( our classicspaghetti saucerecipe is a success ! )
Test Kitchen Tip : Do not rinse the spaghetti because it removes the light coating of starch that helps sauce and seasonings cling . Pasta proceed to cook after draining , so serve it immediately . If your drained spaghetti demand to sit before using , return it to the ardent cookery pan ( off the heat ) , toss it with a little butter or Olea europaea oil to forbid sticking , and cover for up to 15 minutes . commemorate , adding oil will inhibit sauce clinging to the pasta , so seek to keep it minimal .
Spaghetti Shopping and Storage
When it occur to buy dried spaghetti , the selections are legion . Whole wheat and multigrain spaghetti offer more character than the traditional semolina variety . veggie pasta , such as spinach or Beta vulgaris , add colorful option . And forgluten - free meals , face forpasta varietiesmade fromcorn , rice , chickpea , or quinoa spaghetti(also judge ourgluten - loose marinara sauce ) . shop dried spaghetti in the package or a covered containerin a nerveless , dry placefor up to one year .
Delicious Spaghetti Toppers to Try
Start with cooked spaghetti topped withmarinara sauceand tot up these toppers for a twist on theclassic spaghettirecipe .
For more originative slipway to make spaghetti try our top - ratedInside - Out Spaghetti Pie . Take yourspaghetti noodlesfor a less traditional saucy twisting with ourBacon and Egg SpaghettiorMac and Cheese Spaghetti . These make fantabulous selection for kids ( and adults ) who are n’t big fans of tomato sauce .
Storing Your Leftovers
Leftover pasta makes a great next - day luncheon or dinner that can easy be reheat ifstored properly . If possible , refrigerate your alimentary paste and sauce separately , and then drip your cold ( already falsify ) alimentary paste in a batch of boiling water for a few seconds to refresh it before serve up .
Credit:BHG / Sydney Saporito
Credit: Andy Lyons
Credit: Blaine Moats
