Cooking pasta may seem simple, but when it comes to getting that perfect chewy bite, especially with short pasta, it can be tricky. Don't worry though, we've got you covered!

Follow these four easy steps, and you'll be cooking short pasta like a pro. Let's dive in!

Step 1: Boil Water and Add Salt

To start, bring 2 liters of water to a boil. Once it's boiling, add 1 tablespoon of coarse salt (or 1.5 tablespoons if you're using natural salt). Stir it slightly to help dissolve the salt. Why coarse salt? It dissolves slowly, making sure your pasta doesn't become too salty, which can happen with fine salt.

Step 2: Add Pasta and Stir

Now it's time to drop in the short pasta! Stir it quickly to prevent clumping. Be sure to stir it just 2 to 3 times during the cooking process to avoid over-stirring, which could cause the pasta to become mushy. Short pasta, unlike long pasta, has a larger surface area and can stick together, so it's crucial to keep an eye on it and give it just enough stir to prevent that from happening.

Step 3: Save the Pasta Water

Here's a little tip: the starchy water left behind when cooking pasta is gold! Don't throw it away. As the pasta cooks, the starch is released into the water, making it richer in flavor. So, when the pasta is nearly done, scoop out some of that water and set it aside to enhance the flavor of your dish later.

Step 4: Check for Doneness and Drain

After checking the package for cooking times, we recommend tasting the pasta to see if it's just right. You want your short pasta to be tender, without any chewy centers. Once it's perfectly done, drain the water using a colander. You can save the pasta water for later use in sauces or soups.

How to Cool Pasta for Cold Dishes

When you're making a cold pasta dish, remember that short pasta doesn't need to be cooled down as quickly as long pasta. Instead of shocking it with ice water, which can make it too hard, you can start cooling it by adding some ice cubes. Then, rinse it under running warm water to gradually bring down the temperature. This way, it will retain its perfect chewy texture.

How to Store Leftover Pasta

Made a little extra pasta for a side dish or meal prep? No problem! After cooking the pasta, place it in a mixing bowl and toss it lightly with some olive oil to prevent it from sticking together. Store it in a sealed container or a ziplock bag, and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. This is super handy for quick meals later in the week!

Mixing Pasta with Sauce

When you're ready to mix the pasta with your sauce, ensure you "emulsify" the sauce first. This means combining the oils from the sauce (like olive oil) with the water released from other ingredients, making the sauce smooth and thick enough to cling to your pasta. If you don't emulsify it, you might find that the sauce sits on top of the pasta, leaving it oily and underwhelming.

The Best Time to Combine Pasta with Sauce

The ideal time to mix your pasta with the sauce is right after the pasta is done. If you can, try preparing the sauce while the pasta is cooking, so you can combine them as soon as the pasta is ready. If you've already made the sauce, just warm it up while the pasta finishes cooking, and then toss them together for a perfectly harmonious meal.

Wrapping Up: Enjoy Your Perfect Pasta, Lykkers!

And there you have it, Lykkers! With these four simple steps, you'll have delicious, chewy short pasta every time. Whether you're serving it hot or cold, it's sure to impress. Remember, the key to perfect pasta lies in the details – from the salt you use to how you mix your sauce. Happy cooking!