7 Pasta Mistakes Everyone Makes

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Adding the Pasta Before the Water is Boiling

Don't add uncooked pasta to the cooking water, until it's at a full, rolling boil. Otherwise, the pasta could end up with a mushy texture, as its starch dissolves faster in tepid water, causing it to break down easier. It also becomes more difficult to monitor for doneness, as most pasta boxes have recommended cook times that correspond to the pasta being cooked in boiling water. While it's not impossible to cook pasta in cold water, for the most reliable results, you're better off doing it the traditional way.