The packet comes first
Cooking times differ by brand, shape, thickness and whether the pasta is dried, fresh or whole-grain. The printed instructions are the best guide, and the buttons here simply match common packet times. Pick the one closest to yours, or type a custom time into the countdown timer.
When to start the clock
Begin when the pasta goes in and the water returns to a rolling boil. Adding pasta briefly cools the pot, so starting the timer a moment later gives you a more accurate count than starting it while the water is still recovering. Give the pasta a good stir in the first minute to stop pieces sticking together.
Typical cooking ranges
These ranges are typical for dried pasta unless noted, and your packet always wins.
| Pasta | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Fine strands such as angel hair | 3 to 5 minutes |
| Spaghetti and linguine | 8 to 11 minutes |
| Penne, fusilli and rigatoni | 10 to 13 minutes |
| Larger shapes and whole-grain varieties | 12 to 15 minutes |
| Fresh pasta | 2 to 4 minutes |
Test a minute early
Fish out one piece about a minute before the timer ends and bite into it. Al dente means tender but with a slight firmness at the centre. If you plan to finish the pasta in a hot sauce, many cooks pull it a minute early, because it keeps softening in the pan.
Pot, water and salt
- Use a large pot with plenty of water so the pasta can move freely instead of clumping.
- Bring the water to a full boil before adding the pasta. A lid speeds things up; take it off once the pasta is in to reduce boil-overs.
- Salt the water generously. A common rule of thumb is to make it taste pleasantly seasoned, like mild seawater.
- Oil in the water is not necessary for most cooks. Stirring does the job of preventing sticking.
Drain with a plan
Scoop out a mug of the starchy cooking water before you drain. A splash helps a sauce cling to the pasta and loosen up. For hot dishes, most cooks skip rinsing so the sauce sticks. For cold pasta salads, some rinse with cold water to stop the cooking and cool the pasta quickly.
Watching the clock for other breakfast and dinner jobs? The 8-minute, 10-minute and 12-minute timers are one tap away, and the egg timer has presets for boiled eggs.
Questions
How long does it take to cook pasta?
Most dried pasta takes about 8 to 12 minutes, with fine strands faster and larger shapes slower. Fresh pasta is typically ready in 2 to 4 minutes. The best guide is the time printed on your packet, so use it and taste a minute before the end.
When should I start the pasta timer?
Start when the pasta is in the water and the pot has returned to a rolling boil. Adding pasta briefly cools the water, so this gives a more accurate count. Stir in the first minute to prevent sticking.
What does al dente mean?
Al dente is an Italian phrase meaning to the tooth. It describes pasta that is tender but still has a slight firmness when you bite it. Taste a piece about a minute before the packet time to check.
Should I add oil or salt to pasta water?
Salt is commonly added for flavour, in generous amounts. Oil is not required by most cooks, since stirring in the first minute and using plenty of water prevent sticking. Oil can also make it harder for sauce to cling to the pasta.