How to Cook Perfect Pasta - The Three Farm Daughters Way

Five Simple Steps to Perfect Pasta, Every Time.

Chances are this isn’t your first time boiling a pot of pasta, but it may be your first time experiencing pasta the Three Farm Daughters way!

But don’t worry - there aren’t any extra steps or special techniques required for al dente perfection: Just the basic pasta-cooking principles, plus a few expert tips to help you achieve the perfect plate of pasta, every time. Here’s how it’s done: 

BOIL WATER

First up, you’ll want a big pot so your pasta has plenty of room to move around while it cooks.

Fill the pot with 4-6 quarts of water, pop on a lid, and bring to a big, rolling boil over a high heat. 

SALT GENEROUSLY

Next up, it’s time to salt the water. Don’t be shy here - do it the Italian way and cook your pasta in water as salty as the Adriatic Sea! (About 1 tbsp salt flakes/crystals per 4 quarts of water does the trick.)

By generously salting the cooking water, each piece of pasta will be perfectly seasoned from the inside out as it cooks, building a delicious flavor profile for the finished dish.  

Add the PAsta

Next, it's time for the star of the show! Carefully pour your favorite Three Farm Daughters Pasta into the pot of boiling water  and stir.

Go ahead and make a double batch - unlike some pastas that get soggy, sticky or mushy the next day, Three Farm Daughters pasta keeps well in the fridge for several days. Say hello to easy leftovers that stay perfectly al dente and reheat beautifully!

PRO TIP: Resist the urge to add oil to the water - this just prevents your sauce from sticking to the cooked pasta properly!

Cook to Al Dente

Once you add the pasta to the boiling pot, give it a good stir and return to a rapid boil. Set a timer for 11-13 minutes and cook on high, stirring occasionally.

After 11 minutes, check if the pasta is perfectly cooked by biting into a piece - it should be tender throughout with a slight bite, otherwise known as al dente  or “to the tooth”.  If it needs a little more time, continue to cook for another couple of minutes, checking often.

Reserve Cooking Water & Drain

Last but not least, scoop out a cup of the starchy cooking water and set it aside before draining the rest of the water. Drain the pasta - but do not rinse it! - and return back to the hot pot.

As you stir through your sauce and other ingredients, be sure to add a few spoonfuls of the reserved cooking water - this brings everything together and creates a glossy, velvety sauce that perfectly coats each piece of pasta for maximum flavor.

Thanks for stopping by - we can’t wait for you to see how delicious your pasta dishes will be with these Three Farm Daughters cooking tips!

Got a special pasta dish you’d like to share with the community?  Submit your recipe below for the chance to have your creation featured on our Recipes page and enjoyed by thousands around the country!

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