Well, it all comes down to the starches and structure of the pasta itself. Different types of pasta have different levels of starch and varying amounts of moisture, which affects how they cook. Think of it like baking a cake, you need to get the ingredients just right, or the whole thing can fall apart.
When you boil pasta, the heat breaks down the starches and makes the pasta soft and pliable. But if you overcook it, the starches can break down too much, making the pasta mushy and sticky. It's a delicate balance, and one that can make all the difference in the final dish.
So, how do you know when your pasta is just right? One way to check is to try the al dente test, which involves biting into a piece of pasta to see if it still has a bit of bite or chew to it. If it does, then it's ready to go, but if it's too soft, then you've overcooked it.
This Nigella-approved ‘passive cooking’ pasta hack could save you money
