Plenty of water, in a large pot, will ensure that the pasta cooks evenly. The turbulence of the water should also prevent the pasta from sticking, thus not requiring oil to be added to the water. Adding salt to the water will make the water take longer to boil. It raises the boiling temperature and sodium content of the water. Although salting the water is not required, traditionalists will claim a better flavor to the pasta. We say look at the total salt used, cooking water and sauce. 

Use a Timer

Pasta tastes better if it is not over cooked. When cooked to "al dente" it is soft but not mushy. Different pastas will require different lengths of time to cook. Follow the instructions on the packages. There is no need to rinse the pasta in cold water, to stop the cooking process, unless you plan on serving it cold. If you are going to further cook the pasta, by stir frying or baking, undercook it instead.

Shake, Rattle and Roll

Gently shake the pasta in a colander to remove as much water as possible. Toss the pasta, in a large serving bowl, with sauce, oil or butter. Serving your guests first ensures that they receive a proper portion of pasta and leaves the best part of the sauce for you in the bottom of the bowl.

Reheating

In a microwave, use a microwave-safe dish. Add 1 to 2 table spoons of water and cover. Cook at 100% power until hot, usually 30 to 60 seconds. For something different you can pan fry the pasta or use a Zip-Loc bag to immerse it in boiling water for up to 90 seconds. 

How Much

As a main course serve about 1/4 pound (1 cup uncooked, 2 cups cooked) of pasta per person. Use one liter of water for each cup of uncooked pasta and ensure the pot is large enough to prevent boil over. This usually means one litre of water will require a two litre pot, 2 litres of water a 4 litre pot, 4 litres of water a 6 litre pot, and 8 liters of water a 12 litre pot.

Note, that egg noodles will not expand as much as other pastas.

Pasta Nutrition

There are 210 calories in a 2-ounce portion of dry non-egg pasta, 220 calories in the same sized portion of egg noodles. Pasta is low in sodium, fat and sugar. Cholesterol is only present in egg noodles. Pasta contains essential vitamins and minerals; it is an excellent source of complex carbohydrate and also provides some protein. All in all it helps to build a healthy diet.

Pasta Storage

Uncooked pasta can be stored in a cool dry place for up to 18 months.