The Pasta Trick Italians Never Miss (and Many Americans Do)

Chances are, you’ve seen TikTok videos of Italians waving their fists over the abomination known as overcooked pasta. If you’d like to avoid this digital angry mob—or simply want to learn how to make great pasta the Italian way—there’s one trick Italians never skip.

My Sicilian aunt owned an Italian restaurant for decades, so if there’s anything I learned from her, it’s how to cook pasta the right way. In short, I can vouch for the tip I’m about to share.

While it might make sense to follow the cooking directions on a package of pasta, Italians usually don’t. Instead, they cook their pasta for two minutes less than instructed, so it's al dente rather than fully cooked.

Al dente means “to the tooth,” which translates to a texture that’s tender yet firm, with a slight bite. This approach matters because pasta is almost always served with a sauce—even if it’s just a bit of olive oil and garlic. (And when I say “with,” I don’t mean sauce ladled on top of plain pasta—another abomination—but rather pasta tossed directly in the sauce.)

When you combine the pasta with the sauce, the pasta continues cooking. If you boil it until it's fully cooked, you'd end up with mushy overcooked pasta.

Why You Should Always Cook Pasta al Dente

Cooking pasta al dente allows you to build flavor while preventing it from becoming mushy. Al dente isn’t about undercooking—it’s about achieving the pasta’s ideal texture and taste.

Here’s how to cook pasta perfectly al dente and prepare it for the delicious sauce you worked so hard to make:

Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil, add a generous amount of salt, and then add the pasta. Many people turn down the heat at this point, but it’s best to keep the water at a steady boil. This prevents sticking and ensures even cooking. If the heat is too low, the pasta will likely need to cook longer.

Set a timer for two minutes less than the package instructions. Stir the pasta as needed so it doesn’t stick to itself or the pot.

Test the pasta for doneness by carefully removing one or two pieces. Allow them to cool for a moment, then taste. It should have a slightly soft exterior with a firm but not hard center.

When the pasta is ready, use tongs or a spider strainer to transfer it directly into the warmed sauce, drips of salty cooking water and all. The water adds seasoning, and the starches released during cooking help thicken the sauce.

Finally, let the pasta simmer in the sauce for two to three minutes, tossing frequently to coat it evenly.

Pasta is best served immediately to enjoy the freshest flavors and perfect al dente texture. Now you’re ready to cook and eat pasta like a real Italian.