Angel hair: 4–5 minutes. Spaghetti: 7–9 minutes. Penne: 9–11 minutes. Lasagna sheets: 10–14 minutes. Fresh ravioli: 3–4 minutes.
But here’s the real takeaway: don’t trust the clock, trust your teeth. Take a bite. If it feels firm but not crunchy, and has a little bounce, you’re golden. That’s the “al dente” moment—Italian for “to the tooth.”
And if you overcook it? Don’t panic. Just call it “softer style” and drown it in butter. Nobody’s judging you. Except maybe your nonna. But she’s not here, right?