Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Pasta:

1. Gather Your Supplies:

• Pasta of your choice (spaghetti, penne, etc.)

• A large pot

• Water

• Salt

• Colander (for draining)

• Sauce (optional)

2. Boil Water:

• Fill a large pot with plenty of water (about 4-6 quarts of water for every pound of pasta).

• Place the pot on the stove and turn the heat to high to bring the water to a rolling boil.

3. Add Salt to the Water:

• Once the water is boiling, add 1-2 tablespoons of salt. This helps season the pasta as it cooks. The water should taste like seawater.

4. Add the Pasta:

• Gently add your pasta to the boiling water.

• Stir the pasta with a spoon or pasta fork to prevent it from sticking together.

• Make sure all the pasta is submerged in the water.

5. Cook the Pasta:

• Allow the pasta to cook according to the package instructions. Most pasta cooks in 8-12 minutes.

• Stir occasionally to ensure the pasta doesn’t stick together or to the bottom of the pot.

6. Check for Doneness:

• Taste a piece of pasta to check if it’s cooked to your liking (usually "al dente", which means it should be firm to the bite but not hard).

• If the pasta is too firm, cook for another minute and test again.

7. Reserve Some Pasta Water (Optional):

• Before draining the pasta, you can scoop out about 1/2 cup of pasta water and set it aside. This starchy water is great for mixing with sauces to help them stick to the pasta.

8. Drain the Pasta:

• Once the pasta is cooked to your liking, pour it into a colander to drain the water.

• Shake the colander gently to remove excess water.

9. Serve the Pasta:

• Immediately transfer the pasta to a serving dish or mix it with your sauce in a pan.

• If you’re using sauce, toss the pasta in the sauce and add a little of the reserved pasta water if needed to help coat the pasta evenly.

10. Enjoy!

• Serve your pasta with your favorite toppings, such as grated Parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, or a drizzle of olive oil.

Tips:

• Don’t Rinse the Pasta: Avoid rinsing the pasta after cooking, as the starch on the pasta helps sauces stick better.

• Cook Al Dente: Pasta is best when cooked "al dente," meaning it’s firm but fully cooked. This texture holds up well when mixed with sauces.

• Use a Large Pot: Always cook pasta in a large pot with plenty of water to allow it to cook evenly and prevent clumping.