How to Make a Really Friggin' Good Bowl of Pasta
Pasta — it's what's usually for dinner, at least when you're in college or living solo. But instead of resorting to your same ol' same ol' routine, allow these 10 tips to help you see pasta in a whole new light. Though some of them may sound like a no-brainer, like salting your pasta water . . . a lot, each one ensures you end up with the best friggin' bowl of carbs you've ever experienced in your life.
Boil the Water and Salt Liberally
Before your pasta journey begins, you must set yourself up for success. Fill a stockpot two-thirds full with water and bring to a boil. Then, salt it liberally. Liberally means several tablespoons of salt. This may sound horrifying, but if your pasta tastes blah, it's probably because you forgot to salt the water.
Cook the Pasta Less Than You Think
Don't follow the cook time on the box of pasta. Following it usually results in overcooked noodles. Instead, set your timer a few minutes less. When the timer goes off, taste a noodle for doneness. Perfect al dente pasta has a firm, chewy texture (but is not chalky and doesn't stick to your teeth).
Add Extra-Virgin Olive Oil on Top
Once the pasta is cooked and drained, drizzle it with extra-virgin olive oil. Italians (at least the many I've witnessed cooking) finish their pasta off with olive oil. It adds richness, silky texture, and incredible flavor.
Recipe featured: Spaghetti aglio, olio, e peperoncino
Homemade Tomato Sauce
You know what's practically as easy as buying jarred tomato sauce? Making homemade tomato sauce, and it tastes infinitely better and doesn't really require much effort (if you pick a simple dump-and-simmer recipe like the one pictured).
Recipe featured: 3-ingredient tomato sauce
Caramelized Garlic
Caramelize garlic cloves in olive oil, then pour the pan contents over cooked pasta. This combo alone tastes incredible — but it can also add a wow factor to tomato sauces.
Recipe featured: Caramelized garlic pasta
Breadcrumbs = Poor Man's Parmesan
Sometimes pasta texture can be a little monotonously chewy, but sprinkle some breadcrumbs toasted in olive oil over the top of your dish, and you've instantly gained a crunchy contrast. This yummy topping is also hilariously dubbed poor man's parmesan.
Recipe featured: Pasta with pesto and roasted tomatoes
Garnish With Fresh Herbs
Chopped parsley or plucked basil leaves instantly brighten the flavor of any pasta dish.
Recipe featured: Vegan pasta in pink sauce
Freshly Grate Cheese
Don't — we repeat — don't buy preshaved parmesan (or pecorino romano) cheese. It's typically lower quality, and by the time you open the package, it's dried out and less flavorful. Instead, buy a chunk from the cheese section and use a box grater or microplane to shave it over the top of your pasta.
Recipe featured: Linguine with kale and chickpeas
Fry Up Pancetta or Bacon
An instant flavor bomb to any pasta dish (in both creamy and tomatoey sauces) is bacon or pancetta. And for a visit to heaven, reserve the rendered fat and drizzle it over the pasta like olive oil.
Recipe featured: Bacon and tomato pasta
Garnish With Freshly Cracked Black Pepper
Once you've tried freshly ground black pepper, you'll never consider buying shaker pepper again. It adds a hint of spice and roasted flavor to a pasta dish.
Recipe featured: Pasta carbonara