{"id":399722,"date":"2019-01-29T01:53:03","date_gmt":"2019-01-29T07:53:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/?p=399722"},"modified":"2021-02-25T13:28:53","modified_gmt":"2021-02-25T19:28:53","slug":"why-save-pasta-water","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/article\/why-save-pasta-water\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Saving Your Pasta Water Is a Step You Seriously Shouldn’t Skip"},"content":{"rendered":"
Cooking dry pasta is one of the easiest, most self-explanatory techniques of any cuisine. Even the most novice home cook can handle it. (Especially when it's a step in one of our easiest pasta recipes!<\/a>) However, this notoriously easy task has more tricks than you thought\u2014and saving the pasta water is one of them. Though it's often one of the most forgotten steps.<\/p>\r\n Pasta water is the leftover liquid after the pasta has been cooked, and it's filled with starchy, salty goodness. Although it may look murky and dirty, this stuff is the key to a successful sauce, and to a beautiful pasta dish. By the way, this is what al dente means<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n After your pasta is done cooking, remove it from the pot using tongs or a pasta fork so your water is left in the bottom of the pan. That way you can save as much or as little of the water as you want. I like to reserve about a cup of water per pot of pasta.<\/p>\r\n Next, add the sauce to the pot of water and stir, then add the pasta. (Here's how much pasta<\/a> you need per person.) The starch content adds a silky richness to your sauce and the salt content lends extra flavor.<\/p>\r\n The starch also acts as a thickening agent. This trick is what separates average pasta dishes from the delightful, complex dishes at your favorite Italian restaurant. It's perfect for simple sauces like cacio e pepe<\/em><\/a> or carbonara sauce<\/a>, and is even better in slow-simmered meaty ragu<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\t\t\tWhat to Do with Pasta Water<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n
<\/a><\/div>Stamp-of-Approval Spaghetti Sauce<\/a>Total Time<\/strong>: 8 hours, 30 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients:<\/strong> Ground beef, Italian sausage, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, oregano, bay leaves\r\nLevel<\/strong>: Beginner
<\/a><\/div>The Best Marinara Sauce<\/a>Total Time<\/strong>: 1 hour, 40 minutes + simmering\r\nMain Ingredients<\/strong>: Onion, garlic, plum tomatoes, basil, oregano, tomato paste, lemon\r\nLevel:<\/strong> Advanced
<\/a><\/div>Homemade Alfredo Sauce<\/a>Total Time:<\/strong> 40 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients:<\/strong> Shallots, garlic, heavy cream, Asiago, Parmesan, Romano\r\nLevel:<\/strong> Beginner
<\/a><\/div>Garlic Cream Sauce<\/a>Total Time:<\/strong> 20 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients<\/strong>: Butter, garlic, cream cheese, heavy cream, Parmesan\r\nLevel<\/strong>: Beginner
<\/a><\/div>Classic Pesto<\/a>Total Time:<\/strong> 10 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients:<\/strong> Basil, Parmesan, garlic, pine nuts\r\nLevel:<\/strong> Beginner
<\/a><\/div>Hearty Ragu Bolognese<\/a>Total Time<\/strong>: 4 hours, 5 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients<\/strong>: Onion, celery, carrot, garlic, ground beef, Italian sausage, white wine, beef broth, heavy cream, tomato paste\r\nLevel<\/strong>: Beginner
<\/a><\/div>Homemade Meatless Spaghetti Sauce<\/a>Total Time:<\/strong> 3 hours, 35 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients:<\/strong> Onions, tomatoes, garlic, tomato paste\r\nLevel:<\/strong> Beginner
<\/a><\/div>Red Clam Sauce<\/a>Total Time:<\/strong> 3 hours, 25 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients:<\/strong> Canned clams, diced tomatoes, tomato paste\r\nLevel:<\/strong> Beginner
<\/a><\/div>Pasta Napolitana<\/a>Total Time:<\/strong> 2 hours, 30 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients:<\/strong> Bacon, ground beef, Italian sausage, pepperoni, tomato paste, marinara sauce\r\nLevel:<\/strong> Intermediate
<\/a><\/div>Slow-Cooker Clam Sauce<\/a>Total Time:<\/strong> 3 hours, 10 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients:<\/strong> Butter, olive oil, mushrooms, garlic, canned clams, sherry, lemon\r\nLevel:<\/strong> Beginner
<\/a><\/div>Slow-Cooker Short Rib Ragu over Pappardelle<\/a>Total Time:<\/strong> 7 hours, 30 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients:<\/strong> Beef short ribs, mushrooms, onion, carrots, tomato paste, red wine, garlic, diced tomatoes, pappardelle, Parmesan\r\nLevel:<\/strong> Intermediate
<\/a><\/div>Gluten-Free Bechamel<\/a>Total Time:<\/strong> 10 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients:<\/strong> Butter, gluten-free flour, 2% milk, white pepper\r\nLevel:<\/strong> Beginner
<\/a><\/div>Arugula Walnut Pesto<\/a>Total Time:<\/strong> 15 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients:<\/strong> Arugula, Parmesan, garlic, walnuts, lemon\r\nLevel:<\/strong> Beginner
<\/a><\/div>Spicy Fresh Tomato and Eggplant Sauce<\/a>Total Time:<\/strong> 1 hour, 10 minutes + releasing\r\nMain Ingredients:<\/strong> Eggplant, tomatoes, onion, carrot, tomato puree, Parmesan rind\r\nLevel:<\/strong> Beginner
<\/a><\/div>Vegan Bechamel Sauce<\/a>Total Time:<\/strong> 20 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients:<\/strong> Vegan butter, flour, unsweetened soy milk, nutritional yeast\r\nLevel:<\/strong> Beginner
<\/a><\/div>Italian Pasta Sauce<\/a>Total Time:<\/strong> 2 hours, 25 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients:<\/strong> Ground beef, Italian sausage, onion, celery, garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, mushrooms\r\nLevel:<\/strong> Intermediate
<\/a><\/div>Zucchini Tomato Pasta<\/a>Total Time: <\/strong>1 hour, 20 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients:<\/strong> Butter, onions, tomatoes, zucchini, garlic, pasta\r\nLevel:<\/strong> Beginner