wtf am I doing wrong?

sarlah

Every time I cook spaghetti or fettuccine noodles I always get chunks that stick together, no matter how much I stir them while they're cooking.

Anytime I cook penne or macaroni I don't have this problem. I honestly don't know what I'm doing wrong and it's starting to p!ss me off.

I'm pretty sure I'm using the right amount of water. Am I just a lost cause?  It's pretty bad if I can't even cook pasta properly.

Mrs.N.H.

Here is a guide on how to cook pasta:

http://whatscookingamerica.net/Pasta_Rice_Main/pasta.htm

FutureMrs.McC

Do you wait until the water is fully boiling before you add the pasta? That's the only reason I can think of. Also, make sure to keep it boiling.

funny bunny

I'd like to know your cooking process to answer this better, but here's what we do (DH is Italian and VERY picky about his pasta).

Use a Very large pot with LOTS of water - ignore the box instructions - the more water the better (DH's Nonna said so).

Use the same wood spoon you use for your sauce to stir the pasta. This way some of the oil from the sauce (just a little) will go to your pasta water, and help make sure they don't stick.

don't overcook. Once you boiled the water, add the pasta, and once you've cooked it for the time it says in the box take it out and drain it (Almost completely) for nice Al Dente pasta.

GL!!

sarlah

FutureMrs.McC:

Do you wait until the water is fully boiling before you add the pasta? That's the only reason I can think of. Also, make sure to keep it boiling.

The only time my water stops boiling is right when I put the pasta in, so not for very long. I'm actually thinking I'm just not using enough water for the long noodles to move around.

sarlah

funny bunny:

Use a Very large pot with LOTS of water - ignore the box instructions - the more water the better (DH's Nonna said so).

I'm going to try using more water next time.

mastistyle

add a drop or two of olive oil to the water before it boils.

KristenCR

My rule of thumb, a gallon of water, no matter how little pasta your cooking (ok, I got it fromt the food network... but I've never had an issue once I started doing it) 

KristenCR

My rule of thumb, a gallon of water minimum, no matter how little pasta your cooking (ok, I got it fromt the food network... but I've never had an issue once I started doing it) 

Izzybeth3

mastistyle:

add a drop or two of olive oil to the water before it boils.

This.  Little bit of olive oil, little bit of salt 

Ashleysred

mastistyle:

add a drop or two of olive oil to the water before it boils.

This. 

kingpepsisgirl

My gut says the pot it too small.  This happens to me sometimes when I try to squeeze 3lbs of sh*t into a 1lb pot