Cooking Basics
Busting common pasta myths: What’s fact and what’s fiction?
February 14, 2022
Pasta la vista! Let’s face it, pasta is universally adored. Imagine enjoying a dish of fragrant spaghetti aglio e olio, savouring perfectly crisp rigatoni with a rich tomato sauce, or indulging in the timeless comfort of a cheesy pasta bake. And if you talk to parents, spaghetti seems to be a fail-safe option for children everywhere.
However, the culinary world of this Italian staple is riddled with myths. So, what should you believe, and what are merely popular misconceptions? As seasoned pasta connoisseurs, we’re here to guide you through these pasta myths, offering you tips for pasta perfection along the way.
Cooking myths about pasta
This popular belief is actually a misconception! Many people rinse their pasta in cold water post-cooking, thinking it helps the sauce adhere better. However, if you’re aiming for your pasta and sauce to blend seamlessly, skipping the cold-water rinse is key. Rinsing pasta removes some of the surface starch, which is crucial for helping the sauce cling to the pasta. Without this starchy layer, the pasta’s surface becomes too smooth, and the sauce may not adhere as well.
Did you know that the surface of pasta is naturally rough, and certain shapes pair better with specific sauces due to this texture? For instance, spaghetti is a perfect match for rich, meaty bolognese, while penne excels with sauces that have chunky ingredients, like a robust arrabiata, because its tube shape can capture and hold the sauce.
This is another widespread yet inaccurate piece of advice. Many believe that adding oil to the pasta water prevents noodles from sticking together during cooking. However, this method is not effective. Oil typically floats on the surface of the boiling water and has minimal contact with the pasta. Therefore, it does little to prevent the pasta from sticking.
Furthermore, it’s not advisable to drizzle oil over drained pasta either. Doing so can create a slippery coating that actually repels the sauce. Instead of using oil, the best way to keep pasta from sticking is to stir it frequently during cooking. This ensures that the pasta cooks evenly and remains separate. Add the sauce to the cooked pasta and stir through at the end.
It’s a common belief that you should wait until water boils to add salt because salt raises the boiling point. Indeed, adding salt to water does slightly increase its boiling point, but the effect is minimal. Normal water boils at 100°C, and salted water boils only about 1 degree higher. Adding salt to already boiling water does cause a temporary cessation of boiling as the water adjusts to the new boiling point; however, this delay is brief.
The timing of salting your pasta water doesn’t significantly affect cooking speed, but it does influence flavour. Salting the water during cooking is crucial because it allows the salt to permeate the pasta, seasoning it throughout. If you only salt the pasta after cooking, you’ll only season the surface. Therefore, it’s best to add salt to the water as it’s coming to a boil so that it's ready to season the pasta as soon as you add it. Read our blog post about how to cook pasta to find out the ideal amount of salt needed when cooking pasta.
Our top tips for perfect pasta
Now that we’ve debunked some common pasta myths, we’re excited to share a few essential tips to help you improve your pasta-making skills. Ready to fall even deeper in love with pasta?
Try our Pasta Allrounder seasoning! Have you explored the versatility of our Pasta Allrounder yet? This magical seasoning is your secret ingredient for over 100 different pasta dishes! Whether you’re whipping up a quick dinner or entertaining guests, a little sprinkle can transform your pasta into a gourmet meal. Mamma mia, watch as it makes pasta lovers’ hearts soar!
Explore more with our Italian spices and seasonings! Want to get creative and discover new pasta flavours? Check out our Italian seasonings, including Italian Allrounder, Mozzarella and Tomato Seasoning, Aglio e Olio Seasoning, Lasagne Allrounder and Bolognese Seasoning. Our collection of Italian pasta seasonings is perfectly tailored to complement different pasta dishes. They are a fantastic way to experiment and find your new favourite pasta combination!
Pasta truly offers the perfect canvas for culinary experimentation. Why not mix in some new ingredients occasionally and discover the best pasta dishes of your life? After all, spaghetti bolognese is a reliable classic when you’re hungry and need something tasty in a hurry. But don’t stop there – each pasta dish you create could be your new favourite!
The right spices for your favourite pasta
With the right spices, your pasta dishes will become truly extraordinary! For a classic bolognese that tastes like it’s straight from an Italian kitchen, try our Bolognese Seasoning. If you’re looking to add a burst of vegetable flavour, our Vegetable Allrounder is perfect, packing a powerful Moroccan-inspired punch. And for those who crave the essence of the Mediterranean, we’ve got you covered with our Mediterranean Vegetable Allrounder. Each blend is designed to level up your creations effortlessly.
More inspiration from Just Spices
Looking for more culinary inspiration and delicious recipes? Check out our pasta recipe collection where you’ll find a variety of dishes that are both quick and easy to prepare. Whether you’re in the mood for something new or a twist on an old classic, our recipes are sure to spark your creativity and satisfy your palate.
