🕷️ Crawler Inspector

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Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 59 (from laksa023)

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-spaghetti\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-cook-spaghetti\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/how-cook-spaghetti","crawl_time":1775664860,"first_indexed_time":1531529089,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,bbcgoodfood!www,\/howto\/guide\/how-cook-spaghetti s443","src_root_hash":"4708419191032196459","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"How to cook spaghetti | Good Food","meta_descriptions":["Spaghetti is the pasta of choice for a classic Bolognese or carbonara. Find out how to get the best flavour and texture, and which sauces to serve it with."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"The most popular way to cook spaghetti is simple. Put the pasta into plenty of boiling water, stir it, bring it to a simmer, turn the heat off, put a lid on and leave it to finish cooking for 10-12 mins. This method works perfectly fine.\nHow to cook spaghetti for the best flavour\nCook pasta in less water than you usually use.\nInstead of tipping away lots of water after cooking, you’ll end up with a small amount of very starchy water in the pan – this will help thicken any pasta sauce it is added to, and will put the flavour lost in the water back into the sauce (recipes often tell you to reserve some pasta water to do this).\nYou will have to stir the pasta every now and then as it cooks\n. Eminent American food science author\nHarold McGee\nwrites in his book\nAn Encyclopedia of Kitchen Science\nthat you get the best results for spaghetti if you cook it in a frying pan, using cold water to start.\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 to stop spaghetti sticking\nDon’t add oil.\nThe first thing to know is that adding oil to the water has no effect, as it floats on the top of the water. The second thing to know is that adding oil to cooked spaghetti will make any sauce slide off it – again, not what you want.\nStir the pasta after you've added it to the water.\nPasta releases starch as soon as it starts to cook. When you put it in boiling water it does this straight away, making the surface of the pasta sticky, which is why you always have to stir the pot to separate the pieces. As the spaghetti continues to cook, the starch dissolves into the water so it doesn’t stick any more.\nWhat kind of spaghetti should I use?\nNot all pasta is equal – some is of a far better quality than others. Choose a good-quality pasta made with 100% durum wheat for the best outcome. Higher-quality pasta has a higher protein content, and takes a couple of minutes longer to cook, but you can also overcook it slightly or cook it further in its sauce and it will still have a good texture. It is also easier to cook ‘al dente’.\nHow to cook spaghetti al dente\nCooking spaghetti until it is al dente (meaning ‘to the tooth’ or ‘to the bite’) means that it will be cooked through but still firm and very slightly chewy. Most packs of spaghetti will give you a cooking time from boiling that will thoroughly cook the pasta – you’ll need to cook it for a minute or two less to have al dente pasta. Fresh pasta can never be al dente.\nWhat kind of sauce goes with spaghetti?\nObviously it’s up to you what kind of sauce you want to serve with spaghetti, but in Italy, lighter, more refined sauces are used as they stick to the skinny pasta strands. Oil-based sauces such as\naglio e olio\n(garlic and oil), creamy\ncacio e pepe\n(cheese and black pepper) or\ncarbonara\n,\nputtanesca\n, and seafood sauces such as\nalle vongole\n(with clams) are usually served with long thin pasta.\nRagu\n(Bolognese) is always served with tagliatelle in Italy – elsewhere everyone eats it with spaghetti. We have a collection of\npasta sauce\nrecipes that will surely spark some inspiration for your pasta dinner; there are pesto, tomato, bolognese, cheese and roasted peppers sauces.\nFind out more in our guide on\nhow to match pasta shapes to sauces\n.\nPerfectly cooked spaghetti recipe\nServes 2\n160g spaghetti\nPasta brands cook at different times – you'll need to follow the pack instructions rather than using a generic timing.\nBring a pan of water to the boil and season it with salt.\nAdd the spaghetti and stir it gently until all the strands sink beneath the water level. Stir again to make sure they're not stuck together.\nCook following the pack instructions but taking 2 mins off the time suggested.\nCheck the pasta when the time is up by biting into a strand – it should be cooked through but still firm. Cook for a further 1-2 mins if you need to, or if you prefer your spaghetti softer.\nDrain, reserving a little pasta water to add to the sauce. Add the pasta to the sauce straight away so it doesn’t stick together as it cools.\n5 recipes to make with spaghetti\nThe best spaghetti Bolognese recipe\nItalians may prefer their ragu with tagliatelle, but spag bol is our best ever pasta recipe.\nThe best spaghetti Bolognese recipe\nSpaghetti and meatballs\nMeatballs add heft to a plate of pasta, making it a comforting, family-friendly dish.\nSpaghetti and meatballs\nUltimate spaghetti carbonara\nThis rich Roman dish is often made with guanciale, a kind of cured pork – we've used pancetta for our version.\nUltimate spaghetti carbonara\nCacio e pepe with runner beans\nCacio e pepe literally means cheese and pepper. We've added runner beans to this recipe for extra freshness.\nCacio e pepe with runner beans\nSpaghetti alle vongole\nSpaghetti with clams is another classic combination – this recipe also works with mussels or even prawns.\nSpaghetti alle vongole\nFind more super spaghetti recipes...\nSpaghetti recipes\nHow to make next level spaghetti carbonara\nHow to make next level spaghetti Bolognese\nPasta recipes\nTop 5 family pasta recipes\nSeafood pasta recipes\nVegan pasta recipes\nVegetarian pasta recipes\nPasta salad recipes\nItalian pasta recipes\nSpaghetti & meatball recipes\nSpaghetti puttanesca recipes\nHave you got any tips for perfect spaghetti? Leave a comment below...","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to main content](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/how-cook-spaghetti#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  - 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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\nSpaghetti is the pasta of choice for a classic Bolognese or carbonara. Find out how to get the best flavour and texture, and which sauces to serve it with.\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\nThe most popular way to cook spaghetti is simple. Put the pasta into plenty of boiling water, stir it, bring it to a simmer, turn the heat off, put a lid on and leave it to finish cooking for 10-12 mins. This method works perfectly fine.\n\nAd\n\n### How to cook spaghetti for the best flavour\n1. **Cook pasta in less water than you usually use.** Instead of tipping away lots of water after cooking, you’ll end up with a small amount of very starchy water in the pan – this will help thicken any pasta sauce it is added to, and will put the flavour lost in the water back into the sauce (recipes often tell you to reserve some pasta water to do this).\n2. **You will have to stir the pasta every now and then as it cooks**. Eminent American food science author [Harold McGee](https:\/\/www.curiouscook.com\/) writes in his book *An Encyclopedia of Kitchen Science* that you get the best results for spaghetti if you cook it in a frying pan, using cold water to start.\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 to stop spaghetti sticking\n1. **Don’t add oil.** The first thing to know is that adding oil to the water has no effect, as it floats on the top of the water. The second thing to know is that adding oil to cooked spaghetti will make any sauce slide off it – again, not what you want.\n2. **Stir the pasta after you've added it to the water.** Pasta releases starch as soon as it starts to cook. When you put it in boiling water it does this straight away, making the surface of the pasta sticky, which is why you always have to stir the pot to separate the pieces. As the spaghetti continues to cook, the starch dissolves into the water so it doesn’t stick any more.\n### What kind of spaghetti should I use?\nNot all pasta is equal – some is of a far better quality than others. Choose a good-quality pasta made with 100% durum wheat for the best outcome. Higher-quality pasta has a higher protein content, and takes a couple of minutes longer to cook, but you can also overcook it slightly or cook it further in its sauce and it will still have a good texture. It is also easier to cook ‘al dente’.\n\n### How to cook spaghetti al dente\nCooking spaghetti until it is al dente (meaning ‘to the tooth’ or ‘to the bite’) means that it will be cooked through but still firm and very slightly chewy. Most packs of spaghetti will give you a cooking time from boiling that will thoroughly cook the pasta – you’ll need to cook it for a minute or two less to have al dente pasta. Fresh pasta can never be al dente.\n\n### What kind of sauce goes with spaghetti?\nObviously it’s up to you what kind of sauce you want to serve with spaghetti, but in Italy, lighter, more refined sauces are used as they stick to the skinny pasta strands. Oil-based sauces such as [aglio e olio](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/spaghetti-spinach-garlic) (garlic and oil), creamy [cacio e pepe](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/cacio-e-pepe-runner-beans) (cheese and black pepper) or [carbonara](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/ultimate-spaghetti-carbonara-recipe), [puttanesca](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/spaghetti-puttanesca-red-beans-spinach), and seafood sauces such as [alle vongole](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/spaghetti-alle-vongole) (with clams) are usually served with long thin pasta. [Ragu](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/rich-ragu) (Bolognese) is always served with tagliatelle in Italy – elsewhere everyone eats it with spaghetti. We have a collection of [pasta sauce](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/pasta-sauce-recipes) recipes that will surely spark some inspiration for your pasta dinner; there are pesto, tomato, bolognese, cheese and roasted peppers sauces.\n\nFind out more in our guide on [how to match pasta shapes to sauces](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/perfect-pairings-how-match-pasta-shapes-sauces).\n\n### Perfectly cooked spaghetti recipe\n**Serves 2**\n\n- 160g spaghetti\n\nPasta brands cook at different times – you'll need to follow the pack instructions rather than using a generic timing.\n\n1. Bring a pan of water to the boil and season it with salt.\n2. Add the spaghetti and stir it gently until all the strands sink beneath the water level. Stir again to make sure they're not stuck together.\n3. Cook following the pack instructions but taking 2 mins off the time suggested.\n4. Check the pasta when the time is up by biting into a strand – it should be cooked through but still firm. Cook for a further 1-2 mins if you need to, or if you prefer your spaghetti softer.\n5. Drain, reserving a little pasta water to add to the sauce. Add the pasta to the sauce straight away so it doesn’t stick together as it cools.\n## 5 recipes to make with spaghetti\n### The best spaghetti Bolognese recipe\nItalians may prefer their ragu with tagliatelle, but spag bol is our best ever pasta recipe.\n\n[The best spaghetti Bolognese recipe](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/best-spaghetti-bolognese-recipe)\n\n### Spaghetti and meatballs\nMeatballs add heft to a plate of pasta, making it a comforting, family-friendly dish.\n\n[Spaghetti and meatballs](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/spaghetti-meatballs)\n\n### Ultimate spaghetti carbonara\nThis rich Roman dish is often made with guanciale, a kind of cured pork – we've used pancetta for our version.\n\n[Ultimate spaghetti carbonara](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/ultimate-spaghetti-carbonara-recipe)\n\n### Cacio e pepe with runner beans\nCacio e pepe literally means cheese and pepper. We've added runner beans to this recipe for extra freshness.\n\n[Cacio e pepe with runner beans](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/cacio-e-pepe-runner-beans)\n\n### Spaghetti alle vongole\nSpaghetti with clams is another classic combination – this recipe also works with mussels or even prawns.\n\n[Spaghetti alle vongole](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/spaghetti-alle-vongole)\n\n## Find more super spaghetti recipes...\n[Spaghetti recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/spaghetti-recipes)  \n[How to make next level spaghetti carbonara](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/how-make-next-level-spaghetti-carbonara)  \n[How to make next level spaghetti Bolognese](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/how-make-spaghetti-bolognese)  \n[Pasta recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/pasta-recipes)  \n[Top 5 family pasta recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/top-5-family-pasta-recipes)  \n[Seafood pasta recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/seafood-pasta-recipes)  \n[Vegan pasta recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/vegan-pasta-recipes)  \n[Vegetarian pasta recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/vegetarian-pasta-recipes)  \n[Pasta salad recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/pasta-salad-recipes)  \n[Italian pasta recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/italian-pasta-recipes)  \n[Spaghetti & meatball recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/spaghetti-meatball-recipes)   \n[Spaghetti puttanesca recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/spaghetti-puttanesca-recipes)\n\nAd\n\n**Have you got any tips for perfect spaghetti? Leave a comment below...**\n## Sponsored content\n## Comments, questions and tips (3)\n#### joshuaplatt2140580\n2 years ago\n\nNo time length on cooking noodles. It's called, don't walk away from the stove, pull one out, eat, if it to hard, give more time. Tried all different times. Either under or over cooked, sorry I like my noodles done, not disgusting.\n\nReply\n\n##### matusavagehannah57147\n2 years ago\n\nOOOOOOHHH BURN\n#### This has been removed\n#### brian24\n6 years ago\n\nI loved spaghetti! i have tutorials how to cook pinoy style spaghetti click here https:\/\/ckk.ai\/jWhN4\n\nReply\n\n##### mewslade.daniel\n3 years ago\n\nAmazing comment thank you! Will make my spaget like this every day for the rest of my life. My mummy used to make them but now i can enjoy my own spaget for ever and ever! Thank you SO much!!!!\\!\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[The best spaghetti bolognese recipe](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/best-spaghetti-bolognese-recipe)\n\nA star rating of 4.8 out of 5.1166 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[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[The best spaghetti bolognese recipe](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/best-spaghetti-bolognese-recipe)\n\nA star rating of 4.8 out of 5.1166 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[Mushroom & kale spaghetti](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/mushroom-kale-spaghetti)\n\nA star rating of 4.5 out of 5.24 ratings\n\n[Chicken & chorizo jambalaya](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/chicken-chorizo-jambalaya)\n\nA star rating of 4.8 out of 5.3016 ratings\n\n[Brown crab & garlic spaghetti](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/brown-crab-garlic-spaghetti)\n\nA star rating of 4.9 out of 5.8 ratings\n\n[Chilli con carne recipe](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/chilli-con-carne-recipe)\n\nA star rating of 4.8 out of 5.3011 ratings\n\n[Prawn & harissa spaghetti](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/prawn-harissa-spaghetti)\n\nA star rating of 4.6 out of 5.275 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-spaghetti \"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\nThe most popular way to cook spaghetti is simple. Put the pasta into plenty of boiling water, stir it, bring it to a simmer, turn the heat off, put a lid on and leave it to finish cooking for 10-12 mins. This method works perfectly fine.\n\n### How to cook spaghetti for the best flavour\n1. **Cook pasta in less water than you usually use.** Instead of tipping away lots of water after cooking, you’ll end up with a small amount of very starchy water in the pan – this will help thicken any pasta sauce it is added to, and will put the flavour lost in the water back into the sauce (recipes often tell you to reserve some pasta water to do this).\n2. **You will have to stir the pasta every now and then as it cooks**. Eminent American food science author [Harold McGee](https:\/\/www.curiouscook.com\/) writes in his book *An Encyclopedia of Kitchen Science* that you get the best results for spaghetti if you cook it in a frying pan, using cold water to start.\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 to stop spaghetti sticking\n1. **Don’t add oil.** The first thing to know is that adding oil to the water has no effect, as it floats on the top of the water. The second thing to know is that adding oil to cooked spaghetti will make any sauce slide off it – again, not what you want.\n2. **Stir the pasta after you've added it to the water.** Pasta releases starch as soon as it starts to cook. When you put it in boiling water it does this straight away, making the surface of the pasta sticky, which is why you always have to stir the pot to separate the pieces. As the spaghetti continues to cook, the starch dissolves into the water so it doesn’t stick any more.\n### What kind of spaghetti should I use?\nNot all pasta is equal – some is of a far better quality than others. Choose a good-quality pasta made with 100% durum wheat for the best outcome. Higher-quality pasta has a higher protein content, and takes a couple of minutes longer to cook, but you can also overcook it slightly or cook it further in its sauce and it will still have a good texture. It is also easier to cook ‘al dente’.\n\n### How to cook spaghetti al dente\nCooking spaghetti until it is al dente (meaning ‘to the tooth’ or ‘to the bite’) means that it will be cooked through but still firm and very slightly chewy. Most packs of spaghetti will give you a cooking time from boiling that will thoroughly cook the pasta – you’ll need to cook it for a minute or two less to have al dente pasta. Fresh pasta can never be al dente.\n\n### What kind of sauce goes with spaghetti?\nObviously it’s up to you what kind of sauce you want to serve with spaghetti, but in Italy, lighter, more refined sauces are used as they stick to the skinny pasta strands. Oil-based sauces such as [aglio e olio](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/spaghetti-spinach-garlic) (garlic and oil), creamy [cacio e pepe](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/cacio-e-pepe-runner-beans) (cheese and black pepper) or [carbonara](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/ultimate-spaghetti-carbonara-recipe), [puttanesca](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/spaghetti-puttanesca-red-beans-spinach), and seafood sauces such as [alle vongole](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/spaghetti-alle-vongole) (with clams) are usually served with long thin pasta. [Ragu](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/rich-ragu) (Bolognese) is always served with tagliatelle in Italy – elsewhere everyone eats it with spaghetti. We have a collection of [pasta sauce](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/pasta-sauce-recipes) recipes that will surely spark some inspiration for your pasta dinner; there are pesto, tomato, bolognese, cheese and roasted peppers sauces.\n\nFind out more in our guide on [how to match pasta shapes to sauces](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/perfect-pairings-how-match-pasta-shapes-sauces).\n\n### Perfectly cooked spaghetti recipe\n**Serves 2**\n\n- 160g spaghetti\n\nPasta brands cook at different times – you'll need to follow the pack instructions rather than using a generic timing.\n\n1. Bring a pan of water to the boil and season it with salt.\n2. Add the spaghetti and stir it gently until all the strands sink beneath the water level. Stir again to make sure they're not stuck together.\n3. Cook following the pack instructions but taking 2 mins off the time suggested.\n4. Check the pasta when the time is up by biting into a strand – it should be cooked through but still firm. Cook for a further 1-2 mins if you need to, or if you prefer your spaghetti softer.\n5. Drain, reserving a little pasta water to add to the sauce. Add the pasta to the sauce straight away so it doesn’t stick together as it cools.\n## 5 recipes to make with spaghetti\n### The best spaghetti Bolognese recipe\nItalians may prefer their ragu with tagliatelle, but spag bol is our best ever pasta recipe.\n\n[The best spaghetti Bolognese recipe](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/best-spaghetti-bolognese-recipe)\n\n### Spaghetti and meatballs\nMeatballs add heft to a plate of pasta, making it a comforting, family-friendly dish.\n\n[Spaghetti and meatballs](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/spaghetti-meatballs)\n\n### Ultimate spaghetti carbonara\nThis rich Roman dish is often made with guanciale, a kind of cured pork – we've used pancetta for our version.\n\n[Ultimate spaghetti carbonara](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/ultimate-spaghetti-carbonara-recipe)\n\n### Cacio e pepe with runner beans\nCacio e pepe literally means cheese and pepper. We've added runner beans to this recipe for extra freshness.\n\n[Cacio e pepe with runner beans](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/cacio-e-pepe-runner-beans)\n\n### Spaghetti alle vongole\nSpaghetti with clams is another classic combination – this recipe also works with mussels or even prawns.\n\n[Spaghetti alle vongole](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/spaghetti-alle-vongole)\n\n## Find more super spaghetti recipes...\n[Spaghetti recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/spaghetti-recipes)  \n[How to make next level spaghetti carbonara](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/how-make-next-level-spaghetti-carbonara)  \n[How to make next level spaghetti Bolognese](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/how-make-spaghetti-bolognese)  \n[Pasta recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/pasta-recipes)  \n[Top 5 family pasta recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/top-5-family-pasta-recipes)  \n[Seafood pasta recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/seafood-pasta-recipes)  \n[Vegan pasta recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/vegan-pasta-recipes)  \n[Vegetarian pasta recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/vegetarian-pasta-recipes)  \n[Pasta salad recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/pasta-salad-recipes)  \n[Italian pasta recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/italian-pasta-recipes)  \n[Spaghetti & meatball recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/spaghetti-meatball-recipes)   \n[Spaghetti puttanesca recipes](https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/collection\/spaghetti-puttanesca-recipes)\n\n**Have you got any tips for perfect spaghetti? Leave a comment below...**","meta_canonical":null}

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Boilerpipe Text	The most popular way to cook spaghetti is simple. Put the pasta into plenty of boiling water, stir it, bring it to a simmer, turn the heat off, put a lid on and leave it to finish cooking for 10-12 mins. This method works perfectly fine. How to cook spaghetti for the best flavour Cook pasta in less water than you usually use. Instead of tipping away lots of water after cooking, you’ll end up with a small amount of very starchy water in the pan – this will help thicken any pasta sauce it is added to, and will put the flavour lost in the water back into the sauce (recipes often tell you to reserve some pasta water to do this). You will have to stir the pasta every now and then as it cooks . Eminent American food science author Harold McGee writes in his book An Encyclopedia of Kitchen Science that you get the best results for spaghetti if you cook it in a frying pan, using cold water to start. 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 to stop spaghetti sticking Don’t add oil. The first thing to know is that adding oil to the water has no effect, as it floats on the top of the water. The second thing to know is that adding oil to cooked spaghetti will make any sauce slide off it – again, not what you want. Stir the pasta after you've added it to the water. Pasta releases starch as soon as it starts to cook. When you put it in boiling water it does this straight away, making the surface of the pasta sticky, which is why you always have to stir the pot to separate the pieces. As the spaghetti continues to cook, the starch dissolves into the water so it doesn’t stick any more. What kind of spaghetti should I use? Not all pasta is equal – some is of a far better quality than others. Choose a good-quality pasta made with 100% durum wheat for the best outcome. Higher-quality pasta has a higher protein content, and takes a couple of minutes longer to cook, but you can also overcook it slightly or cook it further in its sauce and it will still have a good texture. It is also easier to cook ‘al dente’. How to cook spaghetti al dente Cooking spaghetti until it is al dente (meaning ‘to the tooth’ or ‘to the bite’) means that it will be cooked through but still firm and very slightly chewy. Most packs of spaghetti will give you a cooking time from boiling that will thoroughly cook the pasta – you’ll need to cook it for a minute or two less to have al dente pasta. Fresh pasta can never be al dente. What kind of sauce goes with spaghetti? Obviously it’s up to you what kind of sauce you want to serve with spaghetti, but in Italy, lighter, more refined sauces are used as they stick to the skinny pasta strands. Oil-based sauces such as aglio e olio (garlic and oil), creamy cacio e pepe (cheese and black pepper) or carbonara , puttanesca , and seafood sauces such as alle vongole (with clams) are usually served with long thin pasta. Ragu (Bolognese) is always served with tagliatelle in Italy – elsewhere everyone eats it with spaghetti. We have a collection of pasta sauce recipes that will surely spark some inspiration for your pasta dinner; there are pesto, tomato, bolognese, cheese and roasted peppers sauces. Find out more in our guide on how to match pasta shapes to sauces . Perfectly cooked spaghetti recipe Serves 2 160g spaghetti Pasta brands cook at different times – you'll need to follow the pack instructions rather than using a generic timing. Bring a pan of water to the boil and season it with salt. Add the spaghetti and stir it gently until all the strands sink beneath the water level. Stir again to make sure they're not stuck together. Cook following the pack instructions but taking 2 mins off the time suggested. Check the pasta when the time is up by biting into a strand – it should be cooked through but still firm. Cook for a further 1-2 mins if you need to, or if you prefer your spaghetti softer. Drain, reserving a little pasta water to add to the sauce. Add the pasta to the sauce straight away so it doesn’t stick together as it cools. 5 recipes to make with spaghetti The best spaghetti Bolognese recipe Italians may prefer their ragu with tagliatelle, but spag bol is our best ever pasta recipe. The best spaghetti Bolognese recipe Spaghetti and meatballs Meatballs add heft to a plate of pasta, making it a comforting, family-friendly dish. Spaghetti and meatballs Ultimate spaghetti carbonara This rich Roman dish is often made with guanciale, a kind of cured pork – we've used pancetta for our version. Ultimate spaghetti carbonara Cacio e pepe with runner beans Cacio e pepe literally means cheese and pepper. We've added runner beans to this recipe for extra freshness. Cacio e pepe with runner beans Spaghetti alle vongole Spaghetti with clams is another classic combination – this recipe also works with mussels or even prawns. Spaghetti alle vongole Find more super spaghetti recipes... Spaghetti recipes How to make next level spaghetti carbonara How to make next level spaghetti Bolognese Pasta recipes Top 5 family pasta recipes Seafood pasta recipes Vegan pasta recipes Vegetarian pasta recipes Pasta salad recipes Italian pasta recipes Spaghetti & meatball recipes Spaghetti puttanesca recipes Have you got any tips for perfect spaghetti? Leave a comment below...
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How to cook spaghetti # How to cook spaghetti - [Lulu Grimes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/author/lulugrimes) [3 comments](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-cook-spaghetti#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) Spaghetti is the pasta of choice for a classic Bolognese or carbonara. Find out how to get the best flavour and texture, and which sauces to serve it with. ![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) The most popular way to cook spaghetti is simple. Put the pasta into plenty of boiling water, stir it, bring it to a simmer, turn the heat off, put a lid on and leave it to finish cooking for 10-12 mins. This method works perfectly fine. Ad ### How to cook spaghetti for the best flavour 1. Cook pasta in less water than you usually use. Instead of tipping away lots of water after cooking, you’ll end up with a small amount of very starchy water in the pan – this will help thicken any pasta sauce it is added to, and will put the flavour lost in the water back into the sauce (recipes often tell you to reserve some pasta water to do this). 2. You will have to stir the pasta every now and then as it cooks. Eminent American food science author [Harold McGee](https://www.curiouscook.com/) writes in his book An Encyclopedia of Kitchen Science that you get the best results for spaghetti if you cook it in a frying pan, using cold water to start. 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 to stop spaghetti sticking 1. Don’t add oil. The first thing to know is that adding oil to the water has no effect, as it floats on the top of the water. The second thing to know is that adding oil to cooked spaghetti will make any sauce slide off it – again, not what you want. 2. Stir the pasta after you've added it to the water. Pasta releases starch as soon as it starts to cook. When you put it in boiling water it does this straight away, making the surface of the pasta sticky, which is why you always have to stir the pot to separate the pieces. As the spaghetti continues to cook, the starch dissolves into the water so it doesn’t stick any more. ### What kind of spaghetti should I use? Not all pasta is equal – some is of a far better quality than others. Choose a good-quality pasta made with 100% durum wheat for the best outcome. Higher-quality pasta has a higher protein content, and takes a couple of minutes longer to cook, but you can also overcook it slightly or cook it further in its sauce and it will still have a good texture. It is also easier to cook ‘al dente’. ### How to cook spaghetti al dente Cooking spaghetti until it is al dente (meaning ‘to the tooth’ or ‘to the bite’) means that it will be cooked through but still firm and very slightly chewy. Most packs of spaghetti will give you a cooking time from boiling that will thoroughly cook the pasta – you’ll need to cook it for a minute or two less to have al dente pasta. Fresh pasta can never be al dente. ### What kind of sauce goes with spaghetti? Obviously it’s up to you what kind of sauce you want to serve with spaghetti, but in Italy, lighter, more refined sauces are used as they stick to the skinny pasta strands. Oil-based sauces such as [aglio e olio](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/spaghetti-spinach-garlic) (garlic and oil), creamy [cacio e pepe](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/cacio-e-pepe-runner-beans) (cheese and black pepper) or [carbonara](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/ultimate-spaghetti-carbonara-recipe), [puttanesca](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/spaghetti-puttanesca-red-beans-spinach), and seafood sauces such as [alle vongole](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/spaghetti-alle-vongole) (with clams) are usually served with long thin pasta. [Ragu](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/rich-ragu) (Bolognese) is always served with tagliatelle in Italy – elsewhere everyone eats it with spaghetti. We have a collection of [pasta sauce](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/pasta-sauce-recipes) recipes that will surely spark some inspiration for your pasta dinner; there are pesto, tomato, bolognese, cheese and roasted peppers sauces. Find out more in our guide on [how to match pasta shapes to sauces](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/perfect-pairings-how-match-pasta-shapes-sauces). ### Perfectly cooked spaghetti recipe Serves 2 - 160g spaghetti Pasta brands cook at different times – you'll need to follow the pack instructions rather than using a generic timing. 1. Bring a pan of water to the boil and season it with salt. 2. Add the spaghetti and stir it gently until all the strands sink beneath the water level. Stir again to make sure they're not stuck together. 3. Cook following the pack instructions but taking 2 mins off the time suggested. 4. Check the pasta when the time is up by biting into a strand – it should be cooked through but still firm. Cook for a further 1-2 mins if you need to, or if you prefer your spaghetti softer. 5. Drain, reserving a little pasta water to add to the sauce. Add the pasta to the sauce straight away so it doesn’t stick together as it cools. ## 5 recipes to make with spaghetti ### The best spaghetti Bolognese recipe Italians may prefer their ragu with tagliatelle, but spag bol is our best ever pasta recipe. [The best spaghetti Bolognese recipe](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/best-spaghetti-bolognese-recipe) ### Spaghetti and meatballs Meatballs add heft to a plate of pasta, making it a comforting, family-friendly dish. [Spaghetti and meatballs](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/spaghetti-meatballs) ### Ultimate spaghetti carbonara This rich Roman dish is often made with guanciale, a kind of cured pork – we've used pancetta for our version. [Ultimate spaghetti carbonara](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/ultimate-spaghetti-carbonara-recipe) ### Cacio e pepe with runner beans Cacio e pepe literally means cheese and pepper. We've added runner beans to this recipe for extra freshness. [Cacio e pepe with runner beans](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/cacio-e-pepe-runner-beans) ### Spaghetti alle vongole Spaghetti with clams is another classic combination – this recipe also works with mussels or even prawns. [Spaghetti alle vongole](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/spaghetti-alle-vongole) ## Find more super spaghetti recipes... [Spaghetti recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/spaghetti-recipes) [How to make next level spaghetti carbonara](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-make-next-level-spaghetti-carbonara) [How to make next level spaghetti Bolognese](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-make-spaghetti-bolognese) [Pasta recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/pasta-recipes) [Top 5 family pasta recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/top-5-family-pasta-recipes) [Seafood pasta recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/seafood-pasta-recipes) [Vegan pasta recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/vegan-pasta-recipes) [Vegetarian pasta recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/vegetarian-pasta-recipes) [Pasta salad recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/pasta-salad-recipes) [Italian pasta recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/italian-pasta-recipes) [Spaghetti & meatball recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/spaghetti-meatball-recipes) [Spaghetti puttanesca recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/spaghetti-puttanesca-recipes) Ad Have you got any tips for perfect spaghetti? Leave a comment below... ## Sponsored content ## Comments, questions and tips (3) #### joshuaplatt2140580 2 years ago No time length on cooking noodles. It's called, don't walk away from the stove, pull one out, eat, if it to hard, give more time. Tried all different times. Either under or over cooked, sorry I like my noodles done, not disgusting. Reply ##### matusavagehannah57147 2 years ago OOOOOOHHH BURN #### This has been removed #### brian24 6 years ago I loved spaghetti! i have tutorials how to cook pinoy style spaghetti click here https://ckk.ai/jWhN4 Reply ##### mewslade.daniel 3 years ago Amazing comment thank you! Will make my spaget like this every day for the rest of my life. My mummy used to make them but now i can enjoy my own spaget for ever and ever! Thank you SO much!!!!\! 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Readable Markdown	![poster]() The most popular way to cook spaghetti is simple. Put the pasta into plenty of boiling water, stir it, bring it to a simmer, turn the heat off, put a lid on and leave it to finish cooking for 10-12 mins. This method works perfectly fine. ### How to cook spaghetti for the best flavour 1. Cook pasta in less water than you usually use. Instead of tipping away lots of water after cooking, you’ll end up with a small amount of very starchy water in the pan – this will help thicken any pasta sauce it is added to, and will put the flavour lost in the water back into the sauce (recipes often tell you to reserve some pasta water to do this). 2. You will have to stir the pasta every now and then as it cooks. Eminent American food science author [Harold McGee](https://www.curiouscook.com/) writes in his book An Encyclopedia of Kitchen Science that you get the best results for spaghetti if you cook it in a frying pan, using cold water to start. 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 to stop spaghetti sticking 1. Don’t add oil. The first thing to know is that adding oil to the water has no effect, as it floats on the top of the water. The second thing to know is that adding oil to cooked spaghetti will make any sauce slide off it – again, not what you want. 2. Stir the pasta after you've added it to the water. Pasta releases starch as soon as it starts to cook. When you put it in boiling water it does this straight away, making the surface of the pasta sticky, which is why you always have to stir the pot to separate the pieces. As the spaghetti continues to cook, the starch dissolves into the water so it doesn’t stick any more. ### What kind of spaghetti should I use? Not all pasta is equal – some is of a far better quality than others. Choose a good-quality pasta made with 100% durum wheat for the best outcome. Higher-quality pasta has a higher protein content, and takes a couple of minutes longer to cook, but you can also overcook it slightly or cook it further in its sauce and it will still have a good texture. It is also easier to cook ‘al dente’. ### How to cook spaghetti al dente Cooking spaghetti until it is al dente (meaning ‘to the tooth’ or ‘to the bite’) means that it will be cooked through but still firm and very slightly chewy. Most packs of spaghetti will give you a cooking time from boiling that will thoroughly cook the pasta – you’ll need to cook it for a minute or two less to have al dente pasta. Fresh pasta can never be al dente. ### What kind of sauce goes with spaghetti? Obviously it’s up to you what kind of sauce you want to serve with spaghetti, but in Italy, lighter, more refined sauces are used as they stick to the skinny pasta strands. Oil-based sauces such as [aglio e olio](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/spaghetti-spinach-garlic) (garlic and oil), creamy [cacio e pepe](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/cacio-e-pepe-runner-beans) (cheese and black pepper) or [carbonara](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/ultimate-spaghetti-carbonara-recipe), [puttanesca](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/spaghetti-puttanesca-red-beans-spinach), and seafood sauces such as [alle vongole](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/spaghetti-alle-vongole) (with clams) are usually served with long thin pasta. [Ragu](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/rich-ragu) (Bolognese) is always served with tagliatelle in Italy – elsewhere everyone eats it with spaghetti. We have a collection of [pasta sauce](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/pasta-sauce-recipes) recipes that will surely spark some inspiration for your pasta dinner; there are pesto, tomato, bolognese, cheese and roasted peppers sauces. Find out more in our guide on [how to match pasta shapes to sauces](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/perfect-pairings-how-match-pasta-shapes-sauces). ### Perfectly cooked spaghetti recipe Serves 2 - 160g spaghetti Pasta brands cook at different times – you'll need to follow the pack instructions rather than using a generic timing. 1. Bring a pan of water to the boil and season it with salt. 2. Add the spaghetti and stir it gently until all the strands sink beneath the water level. Stir again to make sure they're not stuck together. 3. Cook following the pack instructions but taking 2 mins off the time suggested. 4. Check the pasta when the time is up by biting into a strand – it should be cooked through but still firm. Cook for a further 1-2 mins if you need to, or if you prefer your spaghetti softer. 5. Drain, reserving a little pasta water to add to the sauce. Add the pasta to the sauce straight away so it doesn’t stick together as it cools. ## 5 recipes to make with spaghetti ### The best spaghetti Bolognese recipe Italians may prefer their ragu with tagliatelle, but spag bol is our best ever pasta recipe. [The best spaghetti Bolognese recipe](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/best-spaghetti-bolognese-recipe) ### Spaghetti and meatballs Meatballs add heft to a plate of pasta, making it a comforting, family-friendly dish. [Spaghetti and meatballs](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/spaghetti-meatballs) ### Ultimate spaghetti carbonara This rich Roman dish is often made with guanciale, a kind of cured pork – we've used pancetta for our version. [Ultimate spaghetti carbonara](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/ultimate-spaghetti-carbonara-recipe) ### Cacio e pepe with runner beans Cacio e pepe literally means cheese and pepper. We've added runner beans to this recipe for extra freshness. [Cacio e pepe with runner beans](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/cacio-e-pepe-runner-beans) ### Spaghetti alle vongole Spaghetti with clams is another classic combination – this recipe also works with mussels or even prawns. [Spaghetti alle vongole](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/spaghetti-alle-vongole) ## Find more super spaghetti recipes... [Spaghetti recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/spaghetti-recipes) [How to make next level spaghetti carbonara](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-make-next-level-spaghetti-carbonara) [How to make next level spaghetti Bolognese](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-make-spaghetti-bolognese) [Pasta recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/pasta-recipes) [Top 5 family pasta recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/top-5-family-pasta-recipes) [Seafood pasta recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/seafood-pasta-recipes) [Vegan pasta recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/vegan-pasta-recipes) [Vegetarian pasta recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/vegetarian-pasta-recipes) [Pasta salad recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/pasta-salad-recipes) [Italian pasta recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/italian-pasta-recipes) [Spaghetti & meatball recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/spaghetti-meatball-recipes) [Spaghetti puttanesca recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/spaghetti-puttanesca-recipes) Have you got any tips for perfect spaghetti? Leave a comment below...
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