Learn the definition of al dente and how to ensure your pasta is cooked correctly. You can also determine doneness by the looks of your pasta noodle after you take a bite, since al dente pasta usually still has a subtle white streak running through it. Cooking pasta al dente is the key to a perfect pasta dish. (Truthfully, all that matters is that you like how it tastes.) If it’s still crunchy, it’s not time to strain yet-unless you’ll be cooking it a bit more in sauce (see above). Taste one piece of pasta before removing all of it from the boiling water, and if it has the chewiness you desire, you're set. Now, as for the best way to figure out if your pasta is cooked al dente, the only real way to know is by tasting it. In other words, if you want the pasta to still be al dente when it hits your plate, it needs to be cooked less than al dente in the boiling water. Keep in mind that if you're cooking your pasta in sauce after it cooks in the boiling water (honestly, who isn't?), you might want to consider cooking the pasta for even less (1 to 2 minutes shy of al dente), because it will cook even more in the sauce. 'To the tooth' means there should be a slight bite to your noodle. (Pro Tip: These days, some boxes even give you an al dente cooking time so you don't have to do the math!) Al dente is Italian for 'to the tooth' and, in our humble opinion, is the only way to cook your pasta. What does al dente mean Proper usage and audio pronunciation (plus IPA.
Why? Because the pasta continues to cook a bit after you take it out of the boiling water. Definition of al dente in the Dictionary. So if the package says 8 to 10 minutes, cook your pasta for 6 to 9 minutes. HOW LONG DOES AL DENTE PASTA TAKE TO COOK?Īs Rach always says - like she recommends for her Pasta With Portobellos, Cherry Tomatoes and Dark Greens - cook your pasta 1 to 2 minutes LESS than the package directions for that perfect al dente chewiness. RELATED: Rach's Top Tips For Cooking Pasta (For the record, we get why this is Rach's preferred pasta cooking method. Due to processes that happen as pasta cooks, al dente pasta has a lower GI than overcooked pasta, meaning even individuals with diabetes can enjoy it with.