🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 59 (from laksa161)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa059.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-cook-pasta\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-cook-pasta\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/how-cook-pasta","crawl_time":1775515201,"first_indexed_time":1507895782,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,bbcgoodfood!www,\/howto\/guide\/how-cook-pasta s443","src_root_hash":"4708419191032196459","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"How To Cook Pasta | Good Food","meta_descriptions":["Learn how to cook pasta 'al dente' using our cookery team's tips and try our moreish pasta recipes to liven up dinner time."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"What is the best way to cook pasta?\nCooking pasta is really simple, but like a lot of simple cooking, timing is crucial. Most dried pasta cooks in about 10 minutes – a few minutes less and it will be chalky and tough, a few minutes more and you’ll end up with a slimy mush. The trick is to test it and stop cooking when it’s perfectly ‘al dente’ – which translates from Italian as ‘to the tooth’ but simply means you should need to use your teeth to chew it.\nFollow our tips below on how to boil pasta and the various cooking times for achieving that perfect al dente result. For more information, read our guides on\nhow to make pasta\nand\nhow to cook spaghetti\n. Short on time? Discover\nhow to cook pasta in the microwave\nfor a super speedy result.\nCook with confidence\nDownload the Good Food app to get full access to exclusive videos, plus handy tools like cook mode, timers and stay awake settings.\nHow much water do I need to cook pasta?\n80-100g dried pasta per person\n500ml-1 litre water per 100g\nHow long does pasta take to cook?\nMost dried ribbons of pasta such as linguine,\nspaghetti\nand tagliatelle take between 8-10 mins.\nShorter, thicker pasta shapes like bows or penne take 10-12 mins.\nFresh pasta such as ravioli and tortellini will take 3-5 mins.\nHow do I season pasta?\n1 tsp salt, or more if you prefer, in the cooking water\nSauce, oil or butter of your choice over the cooked, drained pasta\nFinely grated hard cheese, such as parmesan or pecorino, to finish\nWhat does 'al dente' mean?\nIn cooking, al dente means cooking pasta so it still has some bite (in Italian 'al dente' literally translates to 'to the tooth'). This means cooking it for a couple of minutes less than the packet instructions suggest.\nThe first step is to make sure you have plenty of water in your pan. Use a large, high sided saucepan and add at least 500ml, or up to 1 litre of water per 100g dried pasta (depending on the capacity of your pan). Make sure there’s still enough room at the top because you don’t want the water to bubble up and overflow.\nBring the pan of water to the boil then add the pasta. If you like, or the recipe suggests, salt the water first, or if you prefer, add a splash of olive oil.\nAfter about 8 mins of boiling, carefully fish a piece of pasta out of the pan, allow it to cool and taste it. If it’s ready, take the pasta off the heat straightaway, if not give it another minute then test again.\nOnce the pasta is cooked, take it out of the water and allow it to steam dry for a minute or two before mixing it with any sauce or dressing. If the sauce you want to use is too thick, reserve a little of the pasta water to thin it down.\nLasagne sheets or cannelloni tubes are made to be baked instead of boiled so make sure that the sauce you are layering or stuffing them with isn’t too dry as they will need to absorb some liquid as they bake.\nDiscover our favourite\npasta sauce recipes\n.\nPasta recipes\nCacio e pepe with runner beans\nA simple, classic and tasty way to serve pasta dressed in (lots of) butter, cheese and black pepper, allowing the pasta to take centre stage. This\nbasic recipe\nis a must-try, great for a no-fuss\nmeal for two\n.\nHomemade pesto ideas\nOnce you’ve perfected your pasta try swirling through a dollop of good\nhomemade pesto\n. Start with the classic basil then go wild with our five new twists on this old favourite. Add different nuts and herbs to jazz up the traditional recipe and suit your taste.\nClassic lasagne\nYou can't beat a classic lasagne - it's the ultimate comfort food and a great way to feed a crowd. Discover our\nclassic lasagne\nwith creamy béchamel and a prosciutto and beef mince ragu. Get inspired with more\nlasagne recipes\nincluding\nhealthy lasagne recipes\nand\nvegetarian lasagne recipes\n.\nGarlicky mushroom penne\nPasta doesn’t always have to be heavy on the cheese to be satisfying and delicious. Try this punchy\nvegan recipe\nwith dried wholemeal penne, fresh mushrooms and a drizzle of tahini. Try more\nvegan pasta recipes\n.\nAvocado & smoked salmon spelt spaghetti\nRing the changes with nutty spelt pasta. It cooks in the same way as regular wheat pasta but it packs a stronger flavour and extra fibre. This\nwholesome recipe\nis great for getting a dose of omega-3, too, and you can throw it together in just 15 minutes.\nGet more recipe inspiration...\nEasiest ever one-pan pasta\nHow to make simple seafood pasta\nOur ultimate pasta collection\nWhat's your favourite way to serve pasta? Leave a comment below...","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to main content](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/how-cook-pasta#site-main)\n\n- [Subscribe](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/subscribe \"Subscribe\")\n- [Sustainability](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/feature\/sustainability \"Sustainability\")\n- [Good Food Shows](https:\/\/www.goodfoodshow.com\/summer\/?utm_source=bbcgoodfood.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=eyebrowbanner \"Good Food Shows\")\n- [GF x Gousto](https:\/\/cook.gousto.co.uk\/goodfood\/?utm_source=goodfood&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=goodfood&?promo_code=GOODFOOD50 \"GF x Gousto\")\n- [Download our app](https:\/\/immediate.onelink.me\/OQap?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=homepage_eyebrow&is_mar26_chetnamakan_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d&af_dp=bbcgoodfood%3A%2F%2F \"Download our app\")\n- [GF x Laithwaites Wine](https:\/\/www.laithwaites.co.uk\/partnerships\/goodfood?cid=PRT\/8715001\/goodfood\/GFEYENAV&\/partner&\/20251015&\/LW&utm_medium=PRT&utm_source=gf&utm_campaign=GFEYENAV \"GF x Laithwaites Wine\")\n\n- [Sign in](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/api\/auth\/login)\n- [Register](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/api\/auth\/signup)\n\n[Sign in](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/api\/auth\/login)\n\n[Register](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/api\/auth\/signup)\n\n- [Recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes \"Recipes\")\n  - [Back to Main menu]()\n  - [New and trending](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/news-trends \"New and trending\")\n    - [Back to Recipes]()\n    - [Easy Easter](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/easy-easter-recipes \"Easy Easter\")\n    - [April inspiration](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/news-trends\/april-dinners \"April inspiration\")\n    - [Baking with kids](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/top-5-easy-bakes-kids \"Baking with kids\")\n    - [Quick pastas](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/pasta-recipes \"Quick pastas\")\n  - [Newsletter recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/newsletters \"Newsletter recipes\")\n    - [Back to Recipes]()\n    - [Easter lunch](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/easter-lunch-recipes \"Easter lunch\")\n    - [Brunch recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/brunch-recipes \"Brunch recipes\")\n  - [Sign up today](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/newsletters \"Sign up today\")\n  - [WhatsApp feed](https:\/\/www.whatsapp.com\/channel\/0029VavAPB22ER6b99KbPS2B \"WhatsApp feed\")\n  - [What to cook](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/what-to-cook-for-dinner \"What to cook\")\n    - [Back to Recipes]()\n    - [Quick and easy](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/quick-and-easy-family-recipes \"Quick and easy\")\n    - [Everyday recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/quick-and-easy-family-recipes \"Everyday recipes\")\n    - [Family recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/family-meal-recipes \"Family recipes\")\n    - [One-pots](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/one-pot-recipes \"One-pots\")\n    - [Slow cooker recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/slow-cooker-recipes \"Slow cooker recipes\")\n    - [Traybakes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/traybake-dinner-recipes \"Traybakes\")\n    - [Air fryer recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/air-fryer-recipes \"Air fryer recipes\")\n    - [Batch cooking](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/batch-cooking-recipes \"Batch cooking\")\n    - [All inspiration](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/what-to-cook-for-dinner \"All inspiration\")\n  - [Occasion recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/special-occasion-collections \"Occasion recipes\")\n    - [Back to Recipes]()\n    - [Easter](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/feature\/easter \"Easter\")\n    - [Passover](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/passover-recipes \"Passover\")\n  - [Meal type](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/family-meal-recipes \"Meal type\")\n    - [Back to Recipes]()\n    - [Breakfast](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/breakfast-recipes \"Breakfast\")\n    - [Lunch](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/quick-lunch-recipes \"Lunch\")\n    - [Dinner](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/easy-dinner-recipes \"Dinner\")\n    - [Browse all meal types](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/family-meal-recipes \"Browse all meal types\")\n  - [Diet type](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/dietary-needs-collections \"Diet type\")\n    - [Back to Recipes]()\n    - [Vegan](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/vegan-recipes \"Vegan\")\n    - [Vegetarian](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/vegetarian-dinner-recipes \"Vegetarian\")\n    - [Browse all diet types](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/dietary-needs-collections \"Browse all diet types\")\n  - [Explore](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/feature\/cooking-projects \"Explore\")\n    - [Back to Recipes]()\n    - [Ingredients](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/seasonal-ingredients \"Ingredients\")\n    - [Cuisines](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/cuisine-collections \"Cuisines\")\n    - [Chef recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/gordon-ramsay-recipes \"Chef recipes\")\n    - [Explore more](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/feature\/cooking-projects \"Explore more\")\n- [Health](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/health \"Health\")\n  - [Back to Main menu]()\n  - [Health hub](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/health \"Health hub\")\n  - [Subscribe](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/get-good-food-app \"Subscribe\")\n    - [Back to Health]()\n    - [Nutracheck](https:\/\/nutracheck.onelink.me\/TRjA\/gfcom \"Nutracheck\")\n    - [Healthy eating plan](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/health\/healthy-eating-plan \"Healthy eating plan\")\n    - [Free health newsletter](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/newsletters \"Free health newsletter\")\n  - [Fitness](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/health\/fitness \"Fitness\")\n    - [Back to Health]()\n    - [Protein 101](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/health\/nutrition\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-protein \"Protein 101\")\n    - [Marathon meal plans](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/health\/fitness\/all-our-marathon-meal-plans \"Marathon meal plans\")\n  - [Your health](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/health\/yourhealth \"Your health\")\n    - [Back to Health]()\n    - [Women's health](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/womens-health \"Women's health\")\n    - [Improve digestion](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/health\/health-conditions\/digestive-health \"Improve digestion\")\n  - [Healthy eating](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/health\/healthy-eating \"Healthy eating\")\n    - [Back to Health]()\n    - [Vitamins and minerals](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/vitamins-and-minerals \"Vitamins and minerals\")\n    - [What to eat](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/healthy-eating-hub \"What to eat\")\n  - [Wellbeing](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/health\/wellbeing \"Wellbeing\")\n    - [Back to Health]()\n    - [Sleep better](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/health\/wellness\/how-to-get-to-sleep \"Sleep better\")\n    - [Eat for energy](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/health\/wellness\/how-eat-more-energy \"Eat for energy\")\n- [What to buy](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/feature\/product-reviews \"What to buy\")\n  - [Back to Main menu]()\n  - [Trending](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/feature\/product-reviews \"Trending\")\n    - [Back to What to buy]()\n    - [Best Easter eggs](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/review\/easter-eggs-by-post \"Best Easter eggs\")\n    - [Best frying pans](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/review\/best-non-stick-frying-pans \"Best frying pans\")\n    - [Best gas BBQs](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/review\/best-gas-barbecues \"Best gas BBQs\")\n    - [Best coffee machines](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/review\/best-coffee-machines \"Best coffee machines\")\n  - [How we test](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/review\/good-food-product-reviews-and-taste-tests-how-they-work \"How we test\")\n  - [Wine Club](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfoodwineclub.com\/jsp\/offer\/cm\/common\/offer.jsp?name=bestselling-trios&cid=RECR\/8551001\/LWGFHPNAVBARMAR25\/offer\/email\/LW\/brand&utm_source=LWGFHPNAVBARMAR25&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=8551001 \"Wine Club\")\n  - [More reviews](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/feature\/product-reviews \"More reviews\")\n    - [Back to What to buy]()\n    - [Best pan sets](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/review\/best-pan-sets-saucepans \"Best pan sets\")\n    - [Best knife sets](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/review\/best-knife-sets \"Best knife sets\")\n    - [Best charcoal BBQ](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/review\/best-charcoal-barbecues \"Best charcoal BBQ\")\n    - [Best collagen supplement](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/review\/best-collagen-supplements-tried-and-tested \"Best collagen supplement\")\n    - [Best coffee beans](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/review\/best-coffee-beans \"Best coffee beans\")\n    - [Coffee pod machines](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/review\/best-coffee-pod-machines \"Coffee pod machines\")\n  - [Taste tests](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/feature\/taste-tests \"Taste tests\")\n  - [Drinks reviews](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/feature\/drink-round-ups \"Drinks reviews\")\n  - [Gift guides](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/feature\/gift-guides \"Gift guides\")\n  - [Browse all reviews](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/feature\/product-reviews \"Browse all reviews\")\n- [Budget](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/feature\/budget \"Budget\")\n  - [Back to Main menu]()\n  - [Batch cooking](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/batch-cooking-recipes \"Batch cooking\")\n    - [Back to Budget]()\n    - [Budget batch cooking](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/budget-batch-cooking-recipes \"Budget batch cooking\")\n    - [Healthy batch cooking](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/healthy-batch-cooking-recipes-2 \"Healthy batch cooking\")\n    - [Veggie batch cooking](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/vegetarian-batch-cooking-recipes \"Veggie batch cooking\")\n  - [Leftovers ideas](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/leftovers-recipes \"Leftovers ideas\")\n    - [Back to Budget]()\n    - [Leftover chicken recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/leftover-chicken-recipes \"Leftover chicken recipes\")\n    - [Leftover rice recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/leftover-rice-recipes \"Leftover rice recipes\")\n    - [Leftover potato recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/leftover-potato-recipes \"Leftover potato recipes\")\n  - [Zero-waste](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/zero-waste-recipes-for-every-day \"Zero-waste\")\n    - [Back to Budget]()\n    - [Fridge raid recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/fridge-raid-recipes \"Fridge raid recipes\")\n    - [5 waste-free meals](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/5-nights-waste-free-family-meals \"5 waste-free meals\")\n    - [Planet-friendly cooking](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/feature\/sustainability \"Planet-friendly cooking\")\n  - [Budget meal plans](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/meal-plans \"Budget meal plans\")\n    - [Back to Budget]()\n    - [Student meal plan](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/30-minute-student-meal-plan \"Student meal plan\")\n    - [Quick family meal plan](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/speedy-family-budget-meal-plan \"Quick family meal plan\")\n    - [5-ingredient meal plan](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/5-ingredient-budget-meal-plan \"5-ingredient meal plan\")\n  - [Freezable feasts](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/freezable-recipes \"Freezable feasts\")\n    - [Back to Budget]()\n    - [Freezable family dinners](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/top-10-freezable-vegetarian-family-suppers \"Freezable family dinners\")\n    - [Freezer-friendly pasta](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/freezable-pasta-bake-recipes \"Freezer-friendly pasta\")\n    - [Healthy freezable meals](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/healthy-freezable-recipes \"Healthy freezable meals\")\n  - [Cheap eats](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/cheap-eat-recipes \"Cheap eats\")\n    - [Back to Budget]()\n    - [Quick budget dinners](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/easy-and-budget-collections \"Quick budget dinners\")\n    - [Thrifty family feasts](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/cheap-family-suppers-recipes \"Thrifty family feasts\")\n    - [Cheap and healthy](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/cheap-and-healthy-recipes \"Cheap and healthy\")\n- [Easter](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/feature\/easter \"Easter\")\n- [Subscribe](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/subscribe \"Subscribe\")\n- [Subscribe](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/subscribe \"Subscribe\")\n- [Sustainability](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/feature\/sustainability \"Sustainability\")\n- [Good Food Shows](https:\/\/www.goodfoodshow.com\/summer\/?utm_source=bbcgoodfood.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=eyebrowbanner \"Good Food Shows\")\n- [GF x Gousto](https:\/\/cook.gousto.co.uk\/goodfood\/?utm_source=goodfood&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=goodfood&?promo_code=GOODFOOD50 \"GF x Gousto\")\n- [Download our app](https:\/\/immediate.onelink.me\/OQap?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=homepage_eyebrow&is_mar26_chetnamakan_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d&af_dp=bbcgoodfood%3A%2F%2F \"Download our app\")\n- [GF x Laithwaites Wine](https:\/\/www.laithwaites.co.uk\/partnerships\/goodfood?cid=PRT\/8715001\/goodfood\/GFEYENAV&\/partner&\/20251015&\/LW&utm_medium=PRT&utm_source=gf&utm_campaign=GFEYENAV \"GF x Laithwaites Wine\")\n\n- [Home](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/)\n- [How to](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto)\n- [Guide](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide)\n- How to cook pasta\n\n![Spaghetti carbonara with fork](https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/30\/2020\/08\/pasta-main_0-57e138d.jpg?quality=90&resize=700,636)\n\n# How to cook pasta\n- [Georgina Kiely](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/author\/georginakiely)\n\n[7 comments](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/how-cook-pasta#commentsFeed)\n\n[Try the Good Food app - subscribe today](https:\/\/immediate.onelink.me\/OQap?af_xp=custom&amp;pid=website&amp;c=guide_link&amp;is_retargeting=true&amp;af_reengagement_window=30d&amp;af_dp=bbcgoodfood%3A%2F%2F)\n\nLearn how to cook pasta 'al dente' using our cookery team's tips and try our moreish pasta recipes to liven up dinner time\n\n![poster]()\n\n\n\n![play](data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20width%3D%2228%22%20height%3D%2232%22%3E%3Cpath%20fill%3D%22%23fff%22%20d%3D%22m2.174.214%2025.171%2014.668c.612.398.766%201.194.398%201.776-.092.153-.245.276-.398.398L2.174%2031.755c-.643.429-1.5.276-1.929-.367A1.245%201.245%200%200%201%200%2030.653V1.317A1.434%201.434%200%200%201%201.531%200c.245.031.459.092.643.214z%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E)\n## What is the best way to cook pasta?\nCooking pasta is really simple, but like a lot of simple cooking, timing is crucial. Most dried pasta cooks in about 10 minutes – a few minutes less and it will be chalky and tough, a few minutes more and you’ll end up with a slimy mush. The trick is to test it and stop cooking when it’s perfectly ‘al dente’ – which translates from Italian as ‘to the tooth’ but simply means you should need to use your teeth to chew it.\n\nAd\n\nFollow our tips below on how to boil pasta and the various cooking times for achieving that perfect al dente result. For more information, read our guides on [how to make pasta](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/how-to-make-pasta) and [how to cook spaghetti](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/how-cook-spaghetti). Short on time? Discover [how to cook pasta in the microwave](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/how-to-cook-pasta-in-the-microwave) for a super speedy result.\n\n**Cook with confidence**\n\nDownload the Good Food app to get full access to exclusive videos, plus handy tools like cook mode, timers and stay awake settings.\n\n[Get 3 months for 99p](https:\/\/immediate.onelink.me\/OQap?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=highlightbox&is_technique_content_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d&af_dp=bbcgoodfood%3A%2F%2F)\n## How much water do I need to cook pasta?\n- 80-100g dried pasta per person\n- 500ml-1 litre water per 100g\n## How long does pasta take to cook?\n- Most dried ribbons of pasta such as linguine, [spaghetti](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/how-cook-spaghetti) and tagliatelle take between 8-10 mins.\n- Shorter, thicker pasta shapes like bows or penne take 10-12 mins.\n- Fresh pasta such as ravioli and tortellini will take 3-5 mins.\n## How do I season pasta?\n- 1 tsp salt, or more if you prefer, in the cooking water\n- Sauce, oil or butter of your choice over the cooked, drained pasta\n- Finely grated hard cheese, such as parmesan or pecorino, to finish\n## What does 'al dente' mean?\nIn cooking, al dente means cooking pasta so it still has some bite (in Italian 'al dente' literally translates to 'to the tooth'). This means cooking it for a couple of minutes less than the packet instructions suggest.\n\n## How to cook pasta\n1. The first step is to make sure you have plenty of water in your pan. Use a large, high sided saucepan and add at least 500ml, or up to 1 litre of water per 100g dried pasta (depending on the capacity of your pan). Make sure there’s still enough room at the top because you don’t want the water to bubble up and overflow.\n2. Bring the pan of water to the boil then add the pasta. If you like, or the recipe suggests, salt the water first, or if you prefer, add a splash of olive oil.\n3. After about 8 mins of boiling, carefully fish a piece of pasta out of the pan, allow it to cool and taste it. If it’s ready, take the pasta off the heat straightaway, if not give it another minute then test again.\n4. Once the pasta is cooked, take it out of the water and allow it to steam dry for a minute or two before mixing it with any sauce or dressing. If the sauce you want to use is too thick, reserve a little of the pasta water to thin it down.\n5. Lasagne sheets or cannelloni tubes are made to be baked instead of boiled so make sure that the sauce you are layering or stuffing them with isn’t too dry as they will need to absorb some liquid as they bake.\n\nDiscover our favourite [pasta sauce recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/pasta-sauce-recipes).\n\n## Pasta recipes\n### Cacio e pepe with runner beans\nA simple, classic and tasty way to serve pasta dressed in (lots of) butter, cheese and black pepper, allowing the pasta to take centre stage. This [basic recipe](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/cacio-e-pepe-runner-beans) is a must-try, great for a no-fuss [meal for two](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/meal-two-recipes).\n\n### Homemade pesto ideas\nOnce you’ve perfected your pasta try swirling through a dollop of good [homemade pesto](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/5-ways-pesto). Start with the classic basil then go wild with our five new twists on this old favourite. Add different nuts and herbs to jazz up the traditional recipe and suit your taste.\n\n### Classic lasagne\nYou can't beat a classic lasagne - it's the ultimate comfort food and a great way to feed a crowd. Discover our [classic lasagne](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/classic-lasagne-0) with creamy béchamel and a prosciutto and beef mince ragu. Get inspired with more [lasagne recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/lasagne-recipes) including [healthy lasagne recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/healthy-lasagne-recipes) and [vegetarian lasagne recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/vegetarian-lasagne-recipes).\n\n### Garlicky mushroom penne\nPasta doesn’t always have to be heavy on the cheese to be satisfying and delicious. Try this punchy [vegan recipe](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/garlicky-mushroom-penne) with dried wholemeal penne, fresh mushrooms and a drizzle of tahini. Try more [vegan pasta recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/vegan-pasta-recipes).\n\n### Avocado & smoked salmon spelt spaghetti\nRing the changes with nutty spelt pasta. It cooks in the same way as regular wheat pasta but it packs a stronger flavour and extra fibre. This [wholesome recipe](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/avocado-smoked-salmon-spelt-spaghetti) is great for getting a dose of omega-3, too, and you can throw it together in just 15 minutes.\n\n### Get more recipe inspiration...\n[Easiest ever one-pan pasta](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/videos\/hacks\/food-hack-seafood-pasta-video)  \n[How to make simple seafood pasta](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/videos\/hacks\/easiest-ever-one-pan-pasta-video)  \n[Our ultimate pasta collection](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/pasta-recipes)\n\nAd\n\n**What's your favourite way to serve pasta? Leave a comment below...**\n## Sponsored content\n## Comments, questions and tips (7)\n#### khanhtuyetnamdan\n4 months ago\n\nThis classic lasagne looks absolutely delicious! I really like how the recipe is explained clearly, especially the layers of ragu and creamy béchamel. The golden, cheesy top in the photo makes it even more tempting. I’m definitely saving this to try soon—seems perfect for a cozy family meal\\!\n\nReply\n\n#### heulwen21102007\n4 months ago\n\nThis article is very clear and easy to understand. I like how the writer shows every step to cook pasta. The tip about checking the pasta to make sure it is al dente is very helpful for me, because I usually cook pasta too long. I also like the part about adding salt to the water. It is a simple… More\n\nReply\n\n#### johnkeck3709408\n2 years ago\n\nBreaking up or Divorce is not a solution here is one of the best Astrology and Psychic love spell caster in the universe who can help you to reunite with your man or woman i am a living testimony i was help by professor puma to help me bring back my lover within 24 hours contact him today and be the… More\n\nReply\n\n#### rcoope059hzNL3vK\n3 years ago\n\nAdding olive oil to the water you're boiling pasta in is the worst (incredibly rookie) mistake you can make. I'm in shook this made it onto 'BBC Good Food'. This technique adds a coat of oil to your pasta meaning once it's mixed with a sauce it never absorbs any of the flavour and can't be coated by… More\n\nReply\n\n#### hitlerdada304oYaqL-w\\_\n4 years ago\n\ngood recipe\n\nReply\n\nShow more (2)\n\nAd\n\nAd\n\n#### Related guides\n[Ultimate spaghetti carbonara recipe](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/ultimate-spaghetti-carbonara-recipe)\n\nA star rating of 4.6 out of 5.1026 ratings\n\n[Spaghetti & meatballs](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/spaghetti-meatballs)\n\nA star rating of 4.8 out of 5.306 ratings\n\n[Beef stroganoff](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/beef-stroganoff)\n\nA star rating of 4.7 out of 5.335 ratings\n\n[Savour the season](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/subscribe?tab=digital&utm_source=fabric&utm_medium=brandsite&utm_campaign=326cspring-26&utm_content=side-widget)\n\nTurn ordinary meals into something special with Good Food All Access for just £9.99 for 6 month.\n\n[Subscribe today](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/subscribe?tab=digital&utm_source=fabric&utm_medium=brandsite&utm_campaign=326cspring-26&utm_content=side-widget)\n\nAd\n\n#### You may also like\n[Ultimate spaghetti carbonara recipe](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/ultimate-spaghetti-carbonara-recipe)\n\nA star rating of 4.6 out of 5.1026 ratings\n\n[Spaghetti & meatballs](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/spaghetti-meatballs)\n\nA star rating of 4.8 out of 5.306 ratings\n\n[Beef stroganoff](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/beef-stroganoff)\n\nA star rating of 4.7 out of 5.335 ratings\n\n[Classic lasagne](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/classic-lasagne-0)\n\nA star rating of 4.7 out of 5.333 ratings\n\n[Cajun chicken pasta](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/cajun-chicken-one-pot)\n\nA star rating of 4.7 out of 5.196 ratings\n\n[App only'Marry me' mushroom pasta](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/premium\/sundried-tomato-mushroom-pasta)\n\nA star rating of 4.8 out of 5.19 ratings\n\n[Creamy garlic pasta](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/creamy-garlic-pasta)\n\nA star rating of 4.7 out of 5.69 ratings\n\n[The best spaghetti bolognese recipe](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/best-spaghetti-bolognese-recipe)\n\nA star rating of 4.8 out of 5.1165 ratings\n## Sponsored content\n\n[Explore our recipe app](https:\/\/immediate.onelink.me\/OQap\/np1ykpdl)\n\nSubscribe now and get access to exclusive recipes, meal plans, podcasts and more.\n\n[Try today](https:\/\/immediate.onelink.me\/OQap\/np1ykpdl)\n\n[Savour the season](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/subscribe?tab=digital&utm_source=fabric&utm_medium=brandsite&utm_campaign=326cspring-26&utm_content=footer-widget)\n\nTurn ordinary meals into something special with Good Food All Access for just £9.99 for 6 month.\n\n[Subscribe today](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/subscribe?tab=digital&utm_source=fabric&utm_medium=brandsite&utm_campaign=326cspring-26&utm_content=footer-widget)\n\n[Podcast](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/feature\/podcasts)\n\nOur food team shares tips, techniques and their all-time favourite recipes in our lively weekly podcast.\n\n[More](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/feature\/podcasts)\n\n- [Visit us on Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/goodfoodeveryday)\n- [Visit us on Twitter](https:\/\/twitter.com\/@BBCgoodfood)\n- [Visit us on Instagram](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/goodfoodeveryday)\n- [Visit us on Pinterest](http:\/\/uk.pinterest.com\/goodfood)\n- [Visit us on Youtube](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@GoodFood)\n- [Visit us on Tiktok](https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@goodfood)\n- [Visit us on Rss](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/feed\/atom\/)\n\n- [About us](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/about-bbc-good-food \"About us\")\n- [Contact Us](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/contact-us \"Contact Us\")\n- [Privacy Queries](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/privacy-policy-form \"Privacy Queries\")\n- [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.immediate.co.uk\/privacy\/ \"Privacy Policy\")\n- [Terms & Conditions](https:\/\/www.immediate.co.uk\/terms-and-conditions\/ \"Terms & Conditions\")\n- [Cookies Policy](https:\/\/www.immediate.co.uk\/cookies\/ \"Cookies Policy\")\n- [Complaints escalation](https:\/\/www.immediate.co.uk\/complaints-escalation\/ \"Complaints escalation\")\n- [Advertise](https:\/\/www.immediate.co.uk\/brands\/bbc-good-food-magazine\/#advertising \"Advertise\")\n- [Accessibility](https:\/\/www.immediate.co.uk\/accessibility\/ \"Accessibility\")\n- [Sustainability](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/feature\/sustainability \"Sustainability\")\n- [AI Policy](https:\/\/www.immediate.co.uk\/genai\/ \"AI Policy\")\n- [Manage Privacy Settings](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/how-cook-pasta \"Manage your privacy and consent settings\")\n\nThis website is owned and published by Immediate Media Company Limited. The domain name is used under licence from BBC Studios Distribution Limited.\n\n© Immediate 2026\n\n- [Nutracheck.co.uk](https:\/\/www.nutracheck.co.uk\/Home?utm_source=goodfood&utm_medium=footer&utm_campaign=gf-footer \"Nutracheck.co.uk\")\n- [OliveMagazine.com](https:\/\/www.olivemagazine.com\/ \"OliveMagazine.com\")\n- [GoodFoodShow.com](https:\/\/www.goodfoodshow.com\/summer\/?utm_source=bbcgoodfood.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=footer \"GoodFoodShow.com\")\n- [RadioTimes.com](https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/ \"RadioTimes.com\")\n- [HistoryExtra.com](https:\/\/www.historyextra.com\/ \"HistoryExtra.com\")\n- [GardenersWorld.com](https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/ \"GardenersWorld.com\")\n- [MadeForMums.com](https:\/\/www.madeformums.com\/ \"MadeForMums.com\")\n\n- [Barbecue](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/barbecue-collections \"Barbecue\")\n- [Dietary needs](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/dietary-needs-collections \"Dietary needs\")\n- [Healthy eating](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/healthy-eating-collections \"Healthy eating\")\n- [Seasonal](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/seasonal-food-collections \"Seasonal\")\n- [Bread, pastry & cakes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/bread-pastry-cake-collections \"Bread, pastry & cakes\")\n- [Dinner ideas](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/dinner-idea-collections \"Dinner ideas\")\n- [Nuts & seeds](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/nuts-and-seeds-collections \"Nuts & seeds\")\n- [Soups](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/soup-collections \"Soups\")\n- [Breakfast](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/breakfast-collections \"Breakfast\")\n- [Dinner party](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/dinner-party-collections \"Dinner party\")\n- [Poultry](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/poultry-collections \"Poultry\")\n- [Special occasions](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/special-occasion-collections \"Special occasions\")\n- [Casserole & slow cooker](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/casserole-slow-cooker-collections \"Casserole & slow cooker\")\n- [Drinks](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/drinks-collections \"Drinks\")\n- [Pulses & grains](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/pulses-and-grains-collections \"Pulses & grains\")\n- [Sweet treats](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/sweet-treat-collections \"Sweet treats\")\n- [Cheese](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/cheese-collections \"Cheese\")\n- [Easter](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/all-easter-collections \"Easter\")\n- [Quick & easy budget meals](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/easy-and-budget-collections \"Quick & easy budget meals\")\n- [Vegan](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/vegan-collections \"Vegan\")\n- [Christmas](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/christmas-collections \"Christmas\")\n- [Family friendly](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/family-friendly-collections \"Family friendly\")\n- [Red meat & game](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/red-meat-and-game-collections \"Red meat & game\")\n- [Vegetables](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/vegetable-collections \"Vegetables\")\n- [Cuisine](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/cuisine-collections \"Cuisine\")\n- [Fish & seafood](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/fish-seafood-collections \"Fish & seafood\")\n- [Religious events](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/religious-events-collections \"Religious events\")\n- [Vegetarian](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/vegetarian-collections \"Vegetarian\")\n- [Desserts](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/dessert-collections \"Desserts\")\n- [Fruit](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/category\/fruit-collections \"Fruit\")\n- [Salads](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/salad-collections \"Salads\")\n- [US recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/us \"US recipes\")","attrs_readable_markdown":"![poster]()\n\n## What is the best way to cook pasta?\nCooking pasta is really simple, but like a lot of simple cooking, timing is crucial. Most dried pasta cooks in about 10 minutes – a few minutes less and it will be chalky and tough, a few minutes more and you’ll end up with a slimy mush. The trick is to test it and stop cooking when it’s perfectly ‘al dente’ – which translates from Italian as ‘to the tooth’ but simply means you should need to use your teeth to chew it.\n\nFollow our tips below on how to boil pasta and the various cooking times for achieving that perfect al dente result. For more information, read our guides on [how to make pasta](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/how-to-make-pasta) and [how to cook spaghetti](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/how-cook-spaghetti). Short on time? Discover [how to cook pasta in the microwave](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/how-to-cook-pasta-in-the-microwave) for a super speedy result.\n\n**Cook with confidence**\n\nDownload the Good Food app to get full access to exclusive videos, plus handy tools like cook mode, timers and stay awake settings.\n## How much water do I need to cook pasta?\n- 80-100g dried pasta per person\n- 500ml-1 litre water per 100g\n## How long does pasta take to cook?\n- Most dried ribbons of pasta such as linguine, [spaghetti](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/how-cook-spaghetti) and tagliatelle take between 8-10 mins.\n- Shorter, thicker pasta shapes like bows or penne take 10-12 mins.\n- Fresh pasta such as ravioli and tortellini will take 3-5 mins.\n## How do I season pasta?\n- 1 tsp salt, or more if you prefer, in the cooking water\n- Sauce, oil or butter of your choice over the cooked, drained pasta\n- Finely grated hard cheese, such as parmesan or pecorino, to finish\n## What does 'al dente' mean?\nIn cooking, al dente means cooking pasta so it still has some bite (in Italian 'al dente' literally translates to 'to the tooth'). This means cooking it for a couple of minutes less than the packet instructions suggest.\n\n1. The first step is to make sure you have plenty of water in your pan. Use a large, high sided saucepan and add at least 500ml, or up to 1 litre of water per 100g dried pasta (depending on the capacity of your pan). Make sure there’s still enough room at the top because you don’t want the water to bubble up and overflow.\n2. Bring the pan of water to the boil then add the pasta. If you like, or the recipe suggests, salt the water first, or if you prefer, add a splash of olive oil.\n3. After about 8 mins of boiling, carefully fish a piece of pasta out of the pan, allow it to cool and taste it. If it’s ready, take the pasta off the heat straightaway, if not give it another minute then test again.\n4. Once the pasta is cooked, take it out of the water and allow it to steam dry for a minute or two before mixing it with any sauce or dressing. If the sauce you want to use is too thick, reserve a little of the pasta water to thin it down.\n5. Lasagne sheets or cannelloni tubes are made to be baked instead of boiled so make sure that the sauce you are layering or stuffing them with isn’t too dry as they will need to absorb some liquid as they bake.\n\nDiscover our favourite [pasta sauce recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/pasta-sauce-recipes).\n\n## Pasta recipes\n### Cacio e pepe with runner beans\nA simple, classic and tasty way to serve pasta dressed in (lots of) butter, cheese and black pepper, allowing the pasta to take centre stage. This [basic recipe](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/cacio-e-pepe-runner-beans) is a must-try, great for a no-fuss [meal for two](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/meal-two-recipes).\n\n### Homemade pesto ideas\nOnce you’ve perfected your pasta try swirling through a dollop of good [homemade pesto](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/5-ways-pesto). Start with the classic basil then go wild with our five new twists on this old favourite. Add different nuts and herbs to jazz up the traditional recipe and suit your taste.\n\n### Classic lasagne\nYou can't beat a classic lasagne - it's the ultimate comfort food and a great way to feed a crowd. Discover our [classic lasagne](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/classic-lasagne-0) with creamy béchamel and a prosciutto and beef mince ragu. Get inspired with more [lasagne recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/lasagne-recipes) including [healthy lasagne recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/healthy-lasagne-recipes) and [vegetarian lasagne recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/vegetarian-lasagne-recipes).\n\n### Garlicky mushroom penne\nPasta doesn’t always have to be heavy on the cheese to be satisfying and delicious. Try this punchy [vegan recipe](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/garlicky-mushroom-penne) with dried wholemeal penne, fresh mushrooms and a drizzle of tahini. Try more [vegan pasta recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/vegan-pasta-recipes).\n\n### Avocado & smoked salmon spelt spaghetti\nRing the changes with nutty spelt pasta. It cooks in the same way as regular wheat pasta but it packs a stronger flavour and extra fibre. This [wholesome recipe](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/avocado-smoked-salmon-spelt-spaghetti) is great for getting a dose of omega-3, too, and you can throw it together in just 15 minutes.\n\n### Get more recipe inspiration...\n[Easiest ever one-pan pasta](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/videos\/hacks\/food-hack-seafood-pasta-video)  \n[How to make simple seafood pasta](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/videos\/hacks\/easiest-ever-one-pan-pasta-video)  \n[Our ultimate pasta collection](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/pasta-recipes)\n\n**What's your favourite way to serve pasta? Leave a comment below...**","meta_canonical":null}

3. Robots.txt Check

Query:

Response:

4. Spam/Ban Check

Query:

Response:

5. Seen Status Check

ℹ️ Skipped - page is already crawled

📄

INDEXABLE

✅

CRAWLED

1 day ago

🤖

ROBOTS ALLOWED

Page Info Filters

Filter	Status	Condition	Details
HTTP status	PASS	`download_http_code = 200`	HTTP 200
Age cutoff	PASS	`download_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH`	0.1 months ago
History drop	PASS	`isNull(history_drop_reason)`	No drop reason
Spam/ban	PASS	`fh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0`	ml_spam_score=0
Canonical	PASS	`meta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsed`	Not set

Page Details

Property	Value
URL	https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-cook-pasta
Last Crawled	2026-04-06 22:40:01 (1 day ago)
First Indexed	2017-10-13 11:56:22 (8 years ago)
HTTP Status Code	200
Meta Title	How To Cook Pasta \| Good Food
Meta Description	Learn how to cook pasta 'al dente' using our cookery team's tips and try our moreish pasta recipes to liven up dinner time.
Meta Canonical	null
Boilerpipe Text	What is the best way to cook pasta? Cooking pasta is really simple, but like a lot of simple cooking, timing is crucial. Most dried pasta cooks in about 10 minutes – a few minutes less and it will be chalky and tough, a few minutes more and you’ll end up with a slimy mush. The trick is to test it and stop cooking when it’s perfectly ‘al dente’ – which translates from Italian as ‘to the tooth’ but simply means you should need to use your teeth to chew it. Follow our tips below on how to boil pasta and the various cooking times for achieving that perfect al dente result. For more information, read our guides on how to make pasta and how to cook spaghetti . Short on time? Discover how to cook pasta in the microwave for a super speedy result. Cook with confidence Download the Good Food app to get full access to exclusive videos, plus handy tools like cook mode, timers and stay awake settings. How much water do I need to cook pasta? 80-100g dried pasta per person 500ml-1 litre water per 100g How long does pasta take to cook? Most dried ribbons of pasta such as linguine, spaghetti and tagliatelle take between 8-10 mins. Shorter, thicker pasta shapes like bows or penne take 10-12 mins. Fresh pasta such as ravioli and tortellini will take 3-5 mins. How do I season pasta? 1 tsp salt, or more if you prefer, in the cooking water Sauce, oil or butter of your choice over the cooked, drained pasta Finely grated hard cheese, such as parmesan or pecorino, to finish What does 'al dente' mean? In cooking, al dente means cooking pasta so it still has some bite (in Italian 'al dente' literally translates to 'to the tooth'). This means cooking it for a couple of minutes less than the packet instructions suggest. The first step is to make sure you have plenty of water in your pan. Use a large, high sided saucepan and add at least 500ml, or up to 1 litre of water per 100g dried pasta (depending on the capacity of your pan). Make sure there’s still enough room at the top because you don’t want the water to bubble up and overflow. Bring the pan of water to the boil then add the pasta. If you like, or the recipe suggests, salt the water first, or if you prefer, add a splash of olive oil. After about 8 mins of boiling, carefully fish a piece of pasta out of the pan, allow it to cool and taste it. If it’s ready, take the pasta off the heat straightaway, if not give it another minute then test again. Once the pasta is cooked, take it out of the water and allow it to steam dry for a minute or two before mixing it with any sauce or dressing. If the sauce you want to use is too thick, reserve a little of the pasta water to thin it down. Lasagne sheets or cannelloni tubes are made to be baked instead of boiled so make sure that the sauce you are layering or stuffing them with isn’t too dry as they will need to absorb some liquid as they bake. Discover our favourite pasta sauce recipes . Pasta recipes Cacio e pepe with runner beans A simple, classic and tasty way to serve pasta dressed in (lots of) butter, cheese and black pepper, allowing the pasta to take centre stage. This basic recipe is a must-try, great for a no-fuss meal for two . Homemade pesto ideas Once you’ve perfected your pasta try swirling through a dollop of good homemade pesto . Start with the classic basil then go wild with our five new twists on this old favourite. Add different nuts and herbs to jazz up the traditional recipe and suit your taste. Classic lasagne You can't beat a classic lasagne - it's the ultimate comfort food and a great way to feed a crowd. Discover our classic lasagne with creamy béchamel and a prosciutto and beef mince ragu. Get inspired with more lasagne recipes including healthy lasagne recipes and vegetarian lasagne recipes . Garlicky mushroom penne Pasta doesn’t always have to be heavy on the cheese to be satisfying and delicious. Try this punchy vegan recipe with dried wholemeal penne, fresh mushrooms and a drizzle of tahini. Try more vegan pasta recipes . Avocado & smoked salmon spelt spaghetti Ring the changes with nutty spelt pasta. It cooks in the same way as regular wheat pasta but it packs a stronger flavour and extra fibre. This wholesome recipe is great for getting a dose of omega-3, too, and you can throw it together in just 15 minutes. Get more recipe inspiration... Easiest ever one-pan pasta How to make simple seafood pasta Our ultimate pasta collection What's your favourite way to serve pasta? Leave a comment below...
Markdown	[Skip to main content](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-cook-pasta#site-main) - [Subscribe](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/subscribe "Subscribe") - [Sustainability](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/feature/sustainability "Sustainability") - [Good Food Shows](https://www.goodfoodshow.com/summer/?utm_source=bbcgoodfood.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=eyebrowbanner "Good Food Shows") - [GF x Gousto](https://cook.gousto.co.uk/goodfood/?utm_source=goodfood&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=goodfood&?promo_code=GOODFOOD50 "GF x Gousto") - [Download our app](https://immediate.onelink.me/OQap?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=homepage_eyebrow&is_mar26_chetnamakan_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d&af_dp=bbcgoodfood%3A%2F%2F "Download our app") - [GF x Laithwaites Wine](https://www.laithwaites.co.uk/partnerships/goodfood?cid=PRT/8715001/goodfood/GFEYENAV&/partner&/20251015&/LW&utm_medium=PRT&utm_source=gf&utm_campaign=GFEYENAV "GF x Laithwaites Wine") - [Sign in](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/api/auth/login) - [Register](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/api/auth/signup) [Sign in](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/api/auth/login) [Register](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/api/auth/signup) - [Recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes "Recipes") - [Back to Main menu]() - [New and trending](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/news-trends "New and trending") - [Back to Recipes]() - [Easy Easter](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/easy-easter-recipes "Easy Easter") - [April inspiration](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/news-trends/april-dinners "April inspiration") - [Baking with kids](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/top-5-easy-bakes-kids "Baking with kids") - [Quick pastas](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/pasta-recipes "Quick pastas") - [Newsletter recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/newsletters "Newsletter recipes") - [Back to Recipes]() - [Easter lunch](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/easter-lunch-recipes "Easter lunch") - [Brunch recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/brunch-recipes "Brunch recipes") - [Sign up today](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/newsletters "Sign up today") - [WhatsApp feed](https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VavAPB22ER6b99KbPS2B "WhatsApp feed") - [What to cook](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/what-to-cook-for-dinner "What to cook") - [Back to Recipes]() - [Quick and easy](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/quick-and-easy-family-recipes "Quick and easy") - [Everyday recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/quick-and-easy-family-recipes "Everyday recipes") - [Family recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/family-meal-recipes "Family recipes") - [One-pots](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/one-pot-recipes "One-pots") - [Slow cooker recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/slow-cooker-recipes "Slow cooker recipes") - [Traybakes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/traybake-dinner-recipes "Traybakes") - [Air fryer recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/air-fryer-recipes "Air fryer recipes") - [Batch cooking](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/batch-cooking-recipes "Batch cooking") - [All inspiration](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/what-to-cook-for-dinner "All inspiration") - [Occasion recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/special-occasion-collections "Occasion recipes") - [Back to Recipes]() - [Easter](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/feature/easter "Easter") - [Passover](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/passover-recipes "Passover") - [Meal type](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/family-meal-recipes "Meal type") - [Back to Recipes]() - [Breakfast](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/breakfast-recipes "Breakfast") - [Lunch](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/quick-lunch-recipes "Lunch") - [Dinner](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/easy-dinner-recipes "Dinner") - [Browse all meal types](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/family-meal-recipes "Browse all meal types") - [Diet type](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/dietary-needs-collections "Diet type") - [Back to Recipes]() - [Vegan](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/vegan-recipes "Vegan") - [Vegetarian](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/vegetarian-dinner-recipes "Vegetarian") - [Browse all diet types](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/dietary-needs-collections "Browse all diet types") - [Explore](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/feature/cooking-projects "Explore") - [Back to Recipes]() - [Ingredients](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/seasonal-ingredients "Ingredients") - [Cuisines](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/cuisine-collections "Cuisines") - [Chef recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/gordon-ramsay-recipes "Chef recipes") - [Explore more](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/feature/cooking-projects "Explore more") - [Health](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/health "Health") - [Back to Main menu]() - [Health hub](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/health "Health hub") - [Subscribe](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/get-good-food-app "Subscribe") - [Back to Health]() - [Nutracheck](https://nutracheck.onelink.me/TRjA/gfcom "Nutracheck") - [Healthy eating plan](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/health/healthy-eating-plan "Healthy eating plan") - [Free health newsletter](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/newsletters "Free health newsletter") - [Fitness](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/health/fitness "Fitness") - [Back to Health]() - [Protein 101](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/health/nutrition/everything-you-need-to-know-about-protein "Protein 101") - [Marathon meal plans](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/health/fitness/all-our-marathon-meal-plans "Marathon meal plans") - [Your health](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/health/yourhealth "Your health") - [Back to Health]() - [Women's health](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/womens-health "Women's health") - [Improve digestion](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/health/health-conditions/digestive-health "Improve digestion") - [Healthy eating](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/health/healthy-eating "Healthy eating") - [Back to Health]() - [Vitamins and minerals](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/vitamins-and-minerals "Vitamins and minerals") - [What to eat](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/healthy-eating-hub "What to eat") - [Wellbeing](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/health/wellbeing "Wellbeing") - [Back to Health]() - [Sleep better](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/health/wellness/how-to-get-to-sleep "Sleep better") - [Eat for energy](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/health/wellness/how-eat-more-energy "Eat for energy") - [What to buy](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/feature/product-reviews "What to buy") - [Back to Main menu]() - [Trending](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/feature/product-reviews "Trending") - [Back to What to buy]() - [Best Easter eggs](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/review/easter-eggs-by-post "Best Easter eggs") - [Best frying pans](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/review/best-non-stick-frying-pans "Best frying pans") - [Best gas BBQs](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/review/best-gas-barbecues "Best gas BBQs") - [Best coffee machines](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/review/best-coffee-machines "Best coffee machines") - [How we test](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/review/good-food-product-reviews-and-taste-tests-how-they-work "How we test") - [Wine Club](https://www.bbcgoodfoodwineclub.com/jsp/offer/cm/common/offer.jsp?name=bestselling-trios&cid=RECR/8551001/LWGFHPNAVBARMAR25/offer/email/LW/brand&utm_source=LWGFHPNAVBARMAR25&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=8551001 "Wine Club") - [More reviews](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/feature/product-reviews "More reviews") - [Back to What to buy]() - [Best pan sets](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/review/best-pan-sets-saucepans "Best pan sets") - [Best knife sets](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/review/best-knife-sets "Best knife sets") - [Best charcoal BBQ](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/review/best-charcoal-barbecues "Best charcoal BBQ") - [Best collagen supplement](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/review/best-collagen-supplements-tried-and-tested "Best collagen supplement") - [Best coffee beans](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/review/best-coffee-beans "Best coffee beans") - [Coffee pod machines](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/review/best-coffee-pod-machines "Coffee pod machines") - [Taste tests](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/feature/taste-tests "Taste tests") - [Drinks reviews](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/feature/drink-round-ups "Drinks reviews") - [Gift guides](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/feature/gift-guides "Gift guides") - [Browse all reviews](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/feature/product-reviews "Browse all reviews") - [Budget](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/feature/budget "Budget") - [Back to Main menu]() - [Batch cooking](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/batch-cooking-recipes "Batch cooking") - [Back to Budget]() - [Budget batch cooking](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/budget-batch-cooking-recipes "Budget batch cooking") - [Healthy batch cooking](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/healthy-batch-cooking-recipes-2 "Healthy batch cooking") - [Veggie batch cooking](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/vegetarian-batch-cooking-recipes "Veggie batch cooking") - [Leftovers ideas](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/leftovers-recipes "Leftovers ideas") - [Back to Budget]() - [Leftover chicken recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/leftover-chicken-recipes "Leftover chicken recipes") - [Leftover rice recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/leftover-rice-recipes "Leftover rice recipes") - [Leftover potato recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/leftover-potato-recipes "Leftover potato recipes") - [Zero-waste](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/zero-waste-recipes-for-every-day "Zero-waste") - [Back to Budget]() - [Fridge raid recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/fridge-raid-recipes "Fridge raid recipes") - [5 waste-free meals](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/5-nights-waste-free-family-meals "5 waste-free meals") - [Planet-friendly cooking](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/feature/sustainability "Planet-friendly cooking") - [Budget meal plans](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/meal-plans "Budget meal plans") - [Back to Budget]() - [Student meal plan](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/30-minute-student-meal-plan "Student meal plan") - [Quick family meal plan](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/speedy-family-budget-meal-plan "Quick family meal plan") - [5-ingredient meal plan](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/5-ingredient-budget-meal-plan "5-ingredient meal plan") - [Freezable feasts](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/freezable-recipes "Freezable feasts") - [Back to Budget]() - [Freezable family dinners](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/top-10-freezable-vegetarian-family-suppers "Freezable family dinners") - [Freezer-friendly pasta](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/freezable-pasta-bake-recipes "Freezer-friendly pasta") - [Healthy freezable meals](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/healthy-freezable-recipes "Healthy freezable meals") - [Cheap eats](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/cheap-eat-recipes "Cheap eats") - [Back to Budget]() - [Quick budget dinners](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/easy-and-budget-collections "Quick budget dinners") - [Thrifty family feasts](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/cheap-family-suppers-recipes "Thrifty family feasts") - [Cheap and healthy](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/cheap-and-healthy-recipes "Cheap and healthy") - [Easter](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/feature/easter "Easter") - [Subscribe](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/subscribe "Subscribe") - [Subscribe](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/subscribe "Subscribe") - [Sustainability](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/feature/sustainability "Sustainability") - [Good Food Shows](https://www.goodfoodshow.com/summer/?utm_source=bbcgoodfood.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=eyebrowbanner "Good Food Shows") - [GF x Gousto](https://cook.gousto.co.uk/goodfood/?utm_source=goodfood&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=goodfood&?promo_code=GOODFOOD50 "GF x Gousto") - [Download our app](https://immediate.onelink.me/OQap?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=homepage_eyebrow&is_mar26_chetnamakan_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d&af_dp=bbcgoodfood%3A%2F%2F "Download our app") - [GF x Laithwaites Wine](https://www.laithwaites.co.uk/partnerships/goodfood?cid=PRT/8715001/goodfood/GFEYENAV&/partner&/20251015&/LW&utm_medium=PRT&utm_source=gf&utm_campaign=GFEYENAV "GF x Laithwaites Wine") - [Home](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/) - [How to](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto) - [Guide](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide) - How to cook pasta ![Spaghetti carbonara with fork](https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2020/08/pasta-main_0-57e138d.jpg?quality=90&resize=700,636) # How to cook pasta - [Georgina Kiely](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/author/georginakiely) [7 comments](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-cook-pasta#commentsFeed) [Try the Good Food app - subscribe today](https://immediate.onelink.me/OQap?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=guide_link&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d&af_dp=bbcgoodfood%3A%2F%2F) Learn how to cook pasta 'al dente' using our cookery team's tips and try our moreish pasta recipes to liven up dinner time ![poster]()  ![play](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20width%3D%2228%22%20height%3D%2232%22%3E%3Cpath%20fill%3D%22%23fff%22%20d%3D%22m2.174.214%2025.171%2014.668c.612.398.766%201.194.398%201.776-.092.153-.245.276-.398.398L2.174%2031.755c-.643.429-1.5.276-1.929-.367A1.245%201.245%200%200%201%200%2030.653V1.317A1.434%201.434%200%200%201%201.531%200c.245.031.459.092.643.214z%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E) ## What is the best way to cook pasta? Cooking pasta is really simple, but like a lot of simple cooking, timing is crucial. Most dried pasta cooks in about 10 minutes – a few minutes less and it will be chalky and tough, a few minutes more and you’ll end up with a slimy mush. The trick is to test it and stop cooking when it’s perfectly ‘al dente’ – which translates from Italian as ‘to the tooth’ but simply means you should need to use your teeth to chew it. Ad Follow our tips below on how to boil pasta and the various cooking times for achieving that perfect al dente result. For more information, read our guides on [how to make pasta](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-to-make-pasta) and [how to cook spaghetti](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-cook-spaghetti). Short on time? Discover [how to cook pasta in the microwave](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-to-cook-pasta-in-the-microwave) for a super speedy result. Cook with confidence Download the Good Food app to get full access to exclusive videos, plus handy tools like cook mode, timers and stay awake settings. [Get 3 months for 99p](https://immediate.onelink.me/OQap?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=highlightbox&is_technique_content_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d&af_dp=bbcgoodfood%3A%2F%2F) ## How much water do I need to cook pasta? - 80-100g dried pasta per person - 500ml-1 litre water per 100g ## How long does pasta take to cook? - Most dried ribbons of pasta such as linguine, [spaghetti](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-cook-spaghetti) and tagliatelle take between 8-10 mins. - Shorter, thicker pasta shapes like bows or penne take 10-12 mins. - Fresh pasta such as ravioli and tortellini will take 3-5 mins. ## How do I season pasta? - 1 tsp salt, or more if you prefer, in the cooking water - Sauce, oil or butter of your choice over the cooked, drained pasta - Finely grated hard cheese, such as parmesan or pecorino, to finish ## What does 'al dente' mean? In cooking, al dente means cooking pasta so it still has some bite (in Italian 'al dente' literally translates to 'to the tooth'). This means cooking it for a couple of minutes less than the packet instructions suggest. ## How to cook pasta 1. The first step is to make sure you have plenty of water in your pan. Use a large, high sided saucepan and add at least 500ml, or up to 1 litre of water per 100g dried pasta (depending on the capacity of your pan). Make sure there’s still enough room at the top because you don’t want the water to bubble up and overflow. 2. Bring the pan of water to the boil then add the pasta. If you like, or the recipe suggests, salt the water first, or if you prefer, add a splash of olive oil. 3. After about 8 mins of boiling, carefully fish a piece of pasta out of the pan, allow it to cool and taste it. If it’s ready, take the pasta off the heat straightaway, if not give it another minute then test again. 4. Once the pasta is cooked, take it out of the water and allow it to steam dry for a minute or two before mixing it with any sauce or dressing. If the sauce you want to use is too thick, reserve a little of the pasta water to thin it down. 5. Lasagne sheets or cannelloni tubes are made to be baked instead of boiled so make sure that the sauce you are layering or stuffing them with isn’t too dry as they will need to absorb some liquid as they bake. Discover our favourite [pasta sauce recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/pasta-sauce-recipes). ## Pasta recipes ### Cacio e pepe with runner beans A simple, classic and tasty way to serve pasta dressed in (lots of) butter, cheese and black pepper, allowing the pasta to take centre stage. This [basic recipe](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/cacio-e-pepe-runner-beans) is a must-try, great for a no-fuss [meal for two](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/meal-two-recipes). ### Homemade pesto ideas Once you’ve perfected your pasta try swirling through a dollop of good [homemade pesto](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/5-ways-pesto). Start with the classic basil then go wild with our five new twists on this old favourite. Add different nuts and herbs to jazz up the traditional recipe and suit your taste. ### Classic lasagne You can't beat a classic lasagne - it's the ultimate comfort food and a great way to feed a crowd. Discover our [classic lasagne](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/classic-lasagne-0) with creamy béchamel and a prosciutto and beef mince ragu. Get inspired with more [lasagne recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/lasagne-recipes) including [healthy lasagne recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/healthy-lasagne-recipes) and [vegetarian lasagne recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/vegetarian-lasagne-recipes). ### Garlicky mushroom penne Pasta doesn’t always have to be heavy on the cheese to be satisfying and delicious. Try this punchy [vegan recipe](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/garlicky-mushroom-penne) with dried wholemeal penne, fresh mushrooms and a drizzle of tahini. Try more [vegan pasta recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/vegan-pasta-recipes). ### Avocado & smoked salmon spelt spaghetti Ring the changes with nutty spelt pasta. It cooks in the same way as regular wheat pasta but it packs a stronger flavour and extra fibre. This [wholesome recipe](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/avocado-smoked-salmon-spelt-spaghetti) is great for getting a dose of omega-3, too, and you can throw it together in just 15 minutes. ### Get more recipe inspiration... [Easiest ever one-pan pasta](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/videos/hacks/food-hack-seafood-pasta-video) [How to make simple seafood pasta](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/videos/hacks/easiest-ever-one-pan-pasta-video) [Our ultimate pasta collection](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/pasta-recipes) Ad What's your favourite way to serve pasta? Leave a comment below... ## Sponsored content ## Comments, questions and tips (7) #### khanhtuyetnamdan 4 months ago This classic lasagne looks absolutely delicious! I really like how the recipe is explained clearly, especially the layers of ragu and creamy béchamel. The golden, cheesy top in the photo makes it even more tempting. I’m definitely saving this to try soon—seems perfect for a cozy family meal\! Reply #### heulwen21102007 4 months ago This article is very clear and easy to understand. I like how the writer shows every step to cook pasta. The tip about checking the pasta to make sure it is al dente is very helpful for me, because I usually cook pasta too long. I also like the part about adding salt to the water. It is a simple… More Reply #### johnkeck3709408 2 years ago Breaking up or Divorce is not a solution here is one of the best Astrology and Psychic love spell caster in the universe who can help you to reunite with your man or woman i am a living testimony i was help by professor puma to help me bring back my lover within 24 hours contact him today and be the… More Reply #### rcoope059hzNL3vK 3 years ago Adding olive oil to the water you're boiling pasta in is the worst (incredibly rookie) mistake you can make. I'm in shook this made it onto 'BBC Good Food'. This technique adds a coat of oil to your pasta meaning once it's mixed with a sauce it never absorbs any of the flavour and can't be coated by… More Reply #### hitlerdada304oYaqL-w\_ 4 years ago good recipe Reply Show more (2) Ad Ad #### Related guides [Ultimate spaghetti carbonara recipe](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/ultimate-spaghetti-carbonara-recipe) A star rating of 4.6 out of 5.1026 ratings [Spaghetti & meatballs](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/spaghetti-meatballs) A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.306 ratings [Beef stroganoff](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/beef-stroganoff) A star rating of 4.7 out of 5.335 ratings [Savour the season](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/subscribe?tab=digital&utm_source=fabric&utm_medium=brandsite&utm_campaign=326cspring-26&utm_content=side-widget) Turn ordinary meals into something special with Good Food All Access for just £9.99 for 6 month. [Subscribe today](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/subscribe?tab=digital&utm_source=fabric&utm_medium=brandsite&utm_campaign=326cspring-26&utm_content=side-widget) Ad #### You may also like [Ultimate spaghetti carbonara recipe](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/ultimate-spaghetti-carbonara-recipe) A star rating of 4.6 out of 5.1026 ratings [Spaghetti & meatballs](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/spaghetti-meatballs) A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.306 ratings [Beef stroganoff](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/beef-stroganoff) A star rating of 4.7 out of 5.335 ratings [Classic lasagne](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/classic-lasagne-0) A star rating of 4.7 out of 5.333 ratings [Cajun chicken pasta](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/cajun-chicken-one-pot) A star rating of 4.7 out of 5.196 ratings [App only'Marry me' mushroom pasta](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/premium/sundried-tomato-mushroom-pasta) A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.19 ratings [Creamy garlic pasta](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/creamy-garlic-pasta) A star rating of 4.7 out of 5.69 ratings [The best spaghetti bolognese recipe](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/best-spaghetti-bolognese-recipe) A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.1165 ratings ## Sponsored content [Explore our recipe app](https://immediate.onelink.me/OQap/np1ykpdl) Subscribe now and get access to exclusive recipes, meal plans, podcasts and more. [Try today](https://immediate.onelink.me/OQap/np1ykpdl) [Savour the season](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/subscribe?tab=digital&utm_source=fabric&utm_medium=brandsite&utm_campaign=326cspring-26&utm_content=footer-widget) Turn ordinary meals into something special with Good Food All Access for just £9.99 for 6 month. [Subscribe today](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/subscribe?tab=digital&utm_source=fabric&utm_medium=brandsite&utm_campaign=326cspring-26&utm_content=footer-widget) [Podcast](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/feature/podcasts) Our food team shares tips, techniques and their all-time favourite recipes in our lively weekly podcast. [More](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/feature/podcasts) - [Visit us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/goodfoodeveryday) - [Visit us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/@BBCgoodfood) - [Visit us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/goodfoodeveryday) - [Visit us on Pinterest](http://uk.pinterest.com/goodfood) - [Visit us on Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/@GoodFood) - [Visit us on Tiktok](https://www.tiktok.com/@goodfood) - [Visit us on Rss](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/feed/atom/) - [About us](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/about-bbc-good-food "About us") - [Contact Us](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Privacy Queries](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/privacy-policy-form "Privacy Queries") - [Privacy Policy](https://www.immediate.co.uk/privacy/ "Privacy Policy") - [Terms & Conditions](https://www.immediate.co.uk/terms-and-conditions/ "Terms & Conditions") - [Cookies Policy](https://www.immediate.co.uk/cookies/ "Cookies Policy") - [Complaints escalation](https://www.immediate.co.uk/complaints-escalation/ "Complaints escalation") - [Advertise](https://www.immediate.co.uk/brands/bbc-good-food-magazine/#advertising "Advertise") - [Accessibility](https://www.immediate.co.uk/accessibility/ "Accessibility") - [Sustainability](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/feature/sustainability "Sustainability") - [AI Policy](https://www.immediate.co.uk/genai/ "AI Policy") - [Manage Privacy Settings](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-cook-pasta "Manage your privacy and consent settings") This website is owned and published by Immediate Media Company Limited. The domain name is used under licence from BBC Studios Distribution Limited. © Immediate 2026 - [Nutracheck.co.uk](https://www.nutracheck.co.uk/Home?utm_source=goodfood&utm_medium=footer&utm_campaign=gf-footer "Nutracheck.co.uk") - [OliveMagazine.com](https://www.olivemagazine.com/ "OliveMagazine.com") - [GoodFoodShow.com](https://www.goodfoodshow.com/summer/?utm_source=bbcgoodfood.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=footer "GoodFoodShow.com") - [RadioTimes.com](https://www.radiotimes.com/ "RadioTimes.com") - [HistoryExtra.com](https://www.historyextra.com/ "HistoryExtra.com") - [GardenersWorld.com](https://www.gardenersworld.com/ "GardenersWorld.com") - [MadeForMums.com](https://www.madeformums.com/ "MadeForMums.com") - [Barbecue](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/barbecue-collections "Barbecue") - [Dietary needs](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/dietary-needs-collections "Dietary needs") - [Healthy eating](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/healthy-eating-collections "Healthy eating") - [Seasonal](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/seasonal-food-collections "Seasonal") - [Bread, pastry & cakes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/bread-pastry-cake-collections "Bread, pastry & cakes") - [Dinner ideas](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/dinner-idea-collections "Dinner ideas") - [Nuts & seeds](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/nuts-and-seeds-collections "Nuts & seeds") - [Soups](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/soup-collections "Soups") - [Breakfast](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/breakfast-collections "Breakfast") - [Dinner party](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/dinner-party-collections "Dinner party") - [Poultry](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/poultry-collections "Poultry") - [Special occasions](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/special-occasion-collections "Special occasions") - [Casserole & slow cooker](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/casserole-slow-cooker-collections "Casserole & slow cooker") - [Drinks](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/drinks-collections "Drinks") - [Pulses & grains](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/pulses-and-grains-collections "Pulses & grains") - [Sweet treats](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/sweet-treat-collections "Sweet treats") - [Cheese](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/cheese-collections "Cheese") - [Easter](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/all-easter-collections "Easter") - [Quick & easy budget meals](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/easy-and-budget-collections "Quick & easy budget meals") - [Vegan](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/vegan-collections "Vegan") - [Christmas](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/christmas-collections "Christmas") - [Family friendly](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/family-friendly-collections "Family friendly") - [Red meat & game](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/red-meat-and-game-collections "Red meat & game") - [Vegetables](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/vegetable-collections "Vegetables") - [Cuisine](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/cuisine-collections "Cuisine") - [Fish & seafood](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/fish-seafood-collections "Fish & seafood") - [Religious events](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/religious-events-collections "Religious events") - [Vegetarian](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/vegetarian-collections "Vegetarian") - [Desserts](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/dessert-collections "Desserts") - [Fruit](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/fruit-collections "Fruit") - [Salads](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/salad-collections "Salads") - [US recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/us "US recipes")
Readable Markdown	![poster]() ## What is the best way to cook pasta? Cooking pasta is really simple, but like a lot of simple cooking, timing is crucial. Most dried pasta cooks in about 10 minutes – a few minutes less and it will be chalky and tough, a few minutes more and you’ll end up with a slimy mush. The trick is to test it and stop cooking when it’s perfectly ‘al dente’ – which translates from Italian as ‘to the tooth’ but simply means you should need to use your teeth to chew it. Follow our tips below on how to boil pasta and the various cooking times for achieving that perfect al dente result. For more information, read our guides on [how to make pasta](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-to-make-pasta) and [how to cook spaghetti](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-cook-spaghetti). Short on time? Discover [how to cook pasta in the microwave](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-to-cook-pasta-in-the-microwave) for a super speedy result. Cook with confidence Download the Good Food app to get full access to exclusive videos, plus handy tools like cook mode, timers and stay awake settings. ## How much water do I need to cook pasta? - 80-100g dried pasta per person - 500ml-1 litre water per 100g ## How long does pasta take to cook? - Most dried ribbons of pasta such as linguine, [spaghetti](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-cook-spaghetti) and tagliatelle take between 8-10 mins. - Shorter, thicker pasta shapes like bows or penne take 10-12 mins. - Fresh pasta such as ravioli and tortellini will take 3-5 mins. ## How do I season pasta? - 1 tsp salt, or more if you prefer, in the cooking water - Sauce, oil or butter of your choice over the cooked, drained pasta - Finely grated hard cheese, such as parmesan or pecorino, to finish ## What does 'al dente' mean? In cooking, al dente means cooking pasta so it still has some bite (in Italian 'al dente' literally translates to 'to the tooth'). This means cooking it for a couple of minutes less than the packet instructions suggest. 1. The first step is to make sure you have plenty of water in your pan. Use a large, high sided saucepan and add at least 500ml, or up to 1 litre of water per 100g dried pasta (depending on the capacity of your pan). Make sure there’s still enough room at the top because you don’t want the water to bubble up and overflow. 2. Bring the pan of water to the boil then add the pasta. If you like, or the recipe suggests, salt the water first, or if you prefer, add a splash of olive oil. 3. After about 8 mins of boiling, carefully fish a piece of pasta out of the pan, allow it to cool and taste it. If it’s ready, take the pasta off the heat straightaway, if not give it another minute then test again. 4. Once the pasta is cooked, take it out of the water and allow it to steam dry for a minute or two before mixing it with any sauce or dressing. If the sauce you want to use is too thick, reserve a little of the pasta water to thin it down. 5. Lasagne sheets or cannelloni tubes are made to be baked instead of boiled so make sure that the sauce you are layering or stuffing them with isn’t too dry as they will need to absorb some liquid as they bake. Discover our favourite [pasta sauce recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/pasta-sauce-recipes). ## Pasta recipes ### Cacio e pepe with runner beans A simple, classic and tasty way to serve pasta dressed in (lots of) butter, cheese and black pepper, allowing the pasta to take centre stage. This [basic recipe](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/cacio-e-pepe-runner-beans) is a must-try, great for a no-fuss [meal for two](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/meal-two-recipes). ### Homemade pesto ideas Once you’ve perfected your pasta try swirling through a dollop of good [homemade pesto](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/5-ways-pesto). Start with the classic basil then go wild with our five new twists on this old favourite. Add different nuts and herbs to jazz up the traditional recipe and suit your taste. ### Classic lasagne You can't beat a classic lasagne - it's the ultimate comfort food and a great way to feed a crowd. Discover our [classic lasagne](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/classic-lasagne-0) with creamy béchamel and a prosciutto and beef mince ragu. Get inspired with more [lasagne recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/lasagne-recipes) including [healthy lasagne recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/healthy-lasagne-recipes) and [vegetarian lasagne recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/vegetarian-lasagne-recipes). ### Garlicky mushroom penne Pasta doesn’t always have to be heavy on the cheese to be satisfying and delicious. Try this punchy [vegan recipe](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/garlicky-mushroom-penne) with dried wholemeal penne, fresh mushrooms and a drizzle of tahini. Try more [vegan pasta recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/vegan-pasta-recipes). ### Avocado & smoked salmon spelt spaghetti Ring the changes with nutty spelt pasta. It cooks in the same way as regular wheat pasta but it packs a stronger flavour and extra fibre. This [wholesome recipe](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/avocado-smoked-salmon-spelt-spaghetti) is great for getting a dose of omega-3, too, and you can throw it together in just 15 minutes. ### Get more recipe inspiration... [Easiest ever one-pan pasta](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/videos/hacks/food-hack-seafood-pasta-video) [How to make simple seafood pasta](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/videos/hacks/easiest-ever-one-pan-pasta-video) [Our ultimate pasta collection](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/pasta-recipes) What's your favourite way to serve pasta? Leave a comment below...
Shard	59 (laksa)
Root Hash	4708419191032196459
Unparsed URL	com,bbcgoodfood!www,/howto/guide/how-cook-pasta s443