How to cook pasta recipe | how to boil pasta easily | how to cook pasta penne | best way to cook pasta at home | with 13 amazing images. How to cook pasta is a step by step way of cooking perfectly till done. Learn how to boil pasta easily. Perfectly cooked pasta is the first step to making a successful pasta dish. The best way to cook pasta at home is using enough water and a deep pan for boiling. Cooked pasta should be 'al dente' or "Firm to the bite". Undercooked pasta is undesirable and has a taste of raw flour, whereas overcooked pasta will be soft and sticky. So cook the pasta only till it is 90% cooked. And immediately refresh it in cold water to arrest the pasta penne further cooking. To cook pasta, boil plenty of water in a large pan with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the pasta to the boiling water by adding a few strands or one sheet of pasta at a time. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally and gently until the pasta is tender. Cooking times may vary with the size and the thickness of the pasta. Very small pasta (like macaroni, fusilli, conchiglie, penne) may cook in 5 to 7 minutes. Larger shapes (like spaghetti, fettuccine, dried lasagne sheets) may require 10 to 12 minutes. Immediately drain the cooked pasta into a sieve or a colander. Transfer to a bowl of cold water to refresh it. Drain again and keep aside. If the pasta is not to be used immediately, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to it and toss it. Use this cooked pasta immediately or within an hour. If you are not using it immediately, remember to add little olive oil to it and toss well. Make italian favourites like pasta in red sauce, pasta and veg casserole and even starters like pasta cheese balls. Tips for how to boil pasta easily. 1. Ensure that the water is boiled well before adding the pasta to it. 2. Always add salt along with the water so the pasta absorbs the taste of the salt while cooking. 3. Cook the pasta uncovered and preferably on a medium to high flame. Enjoy how to cook pasta recipe | how to boil pasta easily | how to cook pasta penne | best way to cook pasta at home.