Pasta Timer
Al dente pasta, every time
Presets for spaghetti, penne, fusilli, and more. Just select your pasta type and start cooking.
Spaghetti
8 min
Al dente
Tip: Cook in boiling salted water
Penne
11 min
Al dente
Tip: Stir occasionally to prevent sticking
Fusilli
10 min
Al dente
Tip: Spiral-shaped pasta
Farfalle (bow-tie)
12 min
Al dente
Tip: Thicker pasta, needs more time
Tagliatelle
7 min
Al dente
Tip: Wide flat noodles
Gnocchi
3 min
Until they float
Tip: Done when they float to the surface
Pasta Cooking Times
I used to just guess at pasta timing and ended up with mush half the time. Turns out "al dente" - that perfect slight bite - comes down to about a 2-minute window. Miss it and you're eating baby food. Here's my cheat sheet after years of trial and error.
| Pasta Type | Al Dente | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spaghetti | 8-10 min | Most popular, thin strands |
| Penne | 11-13 min | Tube-shaped, holds chunky sauces |
| Fusilli | 10-12 min | Spiral shape catches sauce |
| Farfalle | 11-13 min | Bow-tie shape, thick center |
| Tagliatelle | 7-9 min | Flat ribbons, cooks quickly |
| Gnocchi | 2-3 min | Done when they float |
How to Cook Pasta
Boil Water
Use a large pot with plenty of water - about 4 quarts per pound of pasta. The pasta needs room to move around while cooking.
Salt Generously
Add about 1-2 tablespoons of salt once the water boils. This is your only chance to season the pasta itself. The water should taste like the sea.
Add Pasta & Start Timer
Drop the pasta in and stir immediately to prevent sticking. Start the timer once you've stirred. Stir again after a minute.
Test & Drain
Test 1 minute before the timer ends. Drain but save a cup of pasta water - it's starchy gold for finishing your sauce.
Common Mistakes
Adding Oil to Water
Oil floats on water and coats the pasta as you drain it, preventing sauce from sticking. Skip it.
Not Enough Water
Too little water means starchy, sticky pasta. The pasta needs room to move and the water needs volume to stay hot.
Rinsing After Cooking
Rinsing washes off the starch that helps sauce cling. Only rinse for cold pasta salads.
Forgetting Pasta Water
Save a cup before draining! The starchy water emulsifies sauces and adjusts consistency.