There are many myths about cooking pasta. Adding oil to the water, placing the pasta in warm water before bringing it up to the boil, rinsing the pasta after – all just a few cooking ‘tips’ that should be avoided at all costs. All you need to do is follow a few simple rules and you will have perfectly cooked pasta time and time again.
It is important to use a large pan and a lot of water to give the pasta room to move and expand whilst cooking, and to help prevent it sticking together. Plenty of salt is also crucial, as it helps to cook the pasta and adds flavour. Bear in mind that if you are using wholegrain pasta, the cooking time will be significantly increased.