So, how long should you cook pasta, you ask? Well, the answer is not as simple as you'd think - it depends on the type of pasta, the cooking method, and even the altitude you're at (yes, really!). For example, thin spaghetti will cook much faster than thick pappardelle, and fresh pasta will cook in almost half the time of dried pasta.
But here's the thing - even with all these variables, there are some general guidelines you can follow. For most dried pasta shapes, you're looking at around 8-12 minutes of cooking time, while fresh pasta is more like 2-5 minutes. And if you're feeling fancy, you can even try your hand at sous vide pasta - just be prepared for a whole new level of pasta precision!
This Nigella-approved ‘passive cooking’ pasta hack could save you money
Now, we know what you're thinking - what about al dente, that elusive, perfect doneness that all the Italian nonnas seem to achieve with ease? Well, it's all about the texture, baby - you want your pasta to still have a bit of bite, a bit of resistance when you bite into it. And trust us, once you master the art of al dente, you'll never go back to mushy pasta again.
