Cooking pasta, for some, is a daunting challenge. For example…a cousin of mine cooked pasta for so long…he always came out of the pot in a big group.

If your pasta just isn’t working out…the following tips will help you get fantastic results every time.

1. How much pasta per person? This always seems to be a problem for everyone. Only you know your family’s appetite…but…this is the general rule. A one-pound box of pasta will serve 4 large dinner parties. If you are preparing other dishes to go with your pasta, a one pound box would easily serve up to 6 people. Note: One cup of raw pasta is equal to two cups of cooked pasta.

2. How to salt the pasta? I add a lot of salt to my pasta water. I have been told that it must taste like the sea. Taste the water after the salt has been added…the salty taste should be noticeable.

3. Should you boil the water first? Yes! Bring the water to a vigorous boil before adding the pasta…a boil you won’t be able to stop stirring.

4. In how much water to cook the pasta? Make sure the pasta has plenty of room to breathe. You want the pasta to have enough water to move freely so it can soak up the water. If there is not enough water, the pasta will stick together and become sticky. Also, you will find raw pieces that have been glued together.

5. How to add pasta to boiling water? Slowly add the pasta to the boiling water. Ideally, the water should not stop boiling. If the water stops boiling, simply stir the pasta until the water begins to boil again. This prevents the pasta from sticking.

6. How to know when the pasta is ready? The best way is to taste. Read the directions on the package and, I suggest, check for perfect ‘al dente’ texture during the cooking time. Pasta is sufficiently cooked when it is “al dente”… that is… it has a bit of flavor. You’ve overcooked it if it’s sticky.

7. Should I rinse the pasta? Some people like to rinse the pasta if it’s used in a pasta salad (I don’t bother). The choice is yours. Why not try it both ways? Don’t rinse the pasta if you’re adding a sauce… you’ll want to keep it’s texture starchy so the sauce will stick.

8. Drain pasta? Most people drain all the water…this could be a mistake. Keeping a little water will prevent sticking. Also, the sauce will mix better. I always save a small amount of the pasta water in case the pasta gets too dry.

9. Heat up your serving bowl! It’s a good idea to serve your creation in a warm serving bowl. It’s a nice added touch.

Notes: Never cook two types of noodles together because each type has a different cooking time. One more thing… if the noodles are used in a casserole, cook them a bit because they will finish cooking in the oven.