Two Vital Tricks When Making Spaghetti
Wait. There are two vital tricks when making spaghetti? Really? There are tricks to making one of the easiest dishes on the planet?
As my great Italian auntie says, "Yeah, buddy."
OK, I don't really have an Italian auntie, but as a Texan I say that all the time.
To the tricks!
First, I hope you have made the delicious and easy meat sauce from an earlier post.
Once the sauce is made, cook the pasta (according to package directions is fine). This is my favorite brand. Who else eats a few strands before throwing them in the water?
I make sure there is enough water for my pasta to dance in, throw in a bit of salt and wait until the water is boiling before sliding in the pasta. Once pasta is in, boil for a good 7-10 minutes depending how done you prefer your noodles.
VITAL TRICKS AHEAD!
Trick #1: After the pasta is completely cooked, but before you drain in a colander, get a ¼ cup measuring cup and dip into the pasta water (DON'T BURN YOURSELF!):
The measuring cup doesn't have to be full, but you want most of the measurement:
Transfer the pasta water to your meat sauce and pour in:
All of it!
Mix well.
What you're basically doing is taking the sticky pasta starch that's in the water and mixing it with your sauce so that when you combine your pasta with your sauce, the two will marry (stick together) and be as one, forever and ever, amen. At least until its deliciousness makes its way into your stomach.
SCIENCE!
Which brings us to trick #2.
Trick #2: When your pasta is done and you drain it into a colander, DO NOT RINSE THE PASTA.
Rinsing the pasta strips it of the clingy starch left behind from the water.
Just let the pasta drain, then toss it into the pot of meat sauce and mix.
Your sauce and pasta are now married. You may kiss the cook.
Mama Mia!
Or as we say here in Texas, "Let's eat, y'all!"
I never rinse my noodles but I had no idea about the trick of putting some of the water in the sauce. I'll have to try that next time. Thanks!
Gives a bit of extra stickiness.
I agree with Angela. I never rinse my noddles, but I had never heard of the other trick. Good advice!
I can't remember where I learned this trick, but it has never failed me.
I think I'll adopt you as my Italian auntie, you know, the one from Texas. I've been making spaghetti for a long, long time and never knew these 2 little tricks. Thank you.
As long as I have known my husband, I have told him that there was an Italian momma that lives inside me because I want to feed everyone! Now go and use your tricks for good.
What great tricks! Thanks for sharing!
You're welcome!
Brilliant! Good advice. Thanks!
P.S. I always eat a few before I toss them in. 😉
You are so welcome (and I KNEW there had to be more like me out there 😉
I had no idea about either of these tricks! Thanks for sharing!
Go and marry your sauces and pasta!
Thanks for the tip to put the water into your sauce. I'll have to try it!
Happy to pass the tip along.
What great tips, I love it. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty
Thanks!
I never rinse my pasta (unless I'm making pasta salad of course), but I had never heard of the pasta water trick! It sounds pretty interesting.
A new trick to impress your friends with!
Awesome tips lady! Oh my gawsh you remind me sooo much of my mother in law, whom I love by the way.
Ooo, you love your MIL. I likey!