How to Cook Pasta at Home? A Complete Guide

Are you craving some delicious pasta and want an easy recipe to make at home? Then you have come to the right place.

Whether you want spaghetti, fettuccini, or penne pasta, this dish just makes you want to have it after hearing its name. The flavour and texture of the pasta make it more tempting.

After having its first bite, your taste buds go “Wow”. The taste of pasta is enhanced while adding vegetables and spices.

The question of how to cook pasta at home doesn’t have to be intimidating. By following this step-by-step guide you can make the pasta easily at home.

Or if you are too tired to cook or want someone to cook for you, you can hire our non-veg cook and vegetarian cook for home near me.

Choose the Right Pasta

From long to shaped, pasta is available in various sizes and types. Choose the right pasta to know which sauce will go well with it and how much cooking time will be needed.

Did you know that specific sauce works best with different pasta shapes? For example - if you have chosen spaghetti, light sauces will suit it best while short pasta like penne will work well with chunky sauces.

You can choose any type of pasta, including farfalle, fusilli, or rigatoni. That is why it is important to choose the right pasta to enhance the flavour of your dish.

Ingredients Needed

• 2-liter water
  
  
• 2 cups of pasta
  
  
• Vegetable Oil
  
  
• Salt
  
  
• Chopped onion, tomatoes, green chilli, French beans, and capsicum
  
  
• Boiled corn
  
  
• Minced or grated garlic cloves
  
  
• Butter
  
  
• ½ tsp red chilli powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder

How to Cook Pasta at Home?

Follow the steps below to make the perfect and satisfying pasta at home.

Boiling the Pasta

1) Add 2 litres of water and bring it to a boil in a large pot. After boiling, add 1 spoon of oil to prevent the pasta from sticking, ½ salt, and 2 cups of pasta.

2) Then boil the pasta at medium flame. Follow the package instructions for cooking time. But, generally, 8-12 minutes are enough. Don’t forget to stir the pasta frequently.

Preparing Vegetables

Till the pasta is boiling, you can chop the vegetables and take out the spices required for cooking the pasta.

1) Start by finely chopping the 3 tomatoes and 2 onions. You can also use 1 cup pureed if you don’t have tomatoes or make the pasta quickly.

2) Grate or mince the 2-3 garlic cloves. Also, chop 1 green chilli, ⅕ French beans, and ¼ cup capsicum.

3) Check whether the pasta has been cooked. It should be soft, not chewy. Once done, drain the pasta in a drainer. Avoid rinsing it as the starch will wash away and its taste will be affected.

You can also take the help of your full time maid or 8 hours maid with chopping and preparing the pasta and the sauce.

Pairing Pasta with Sauces

You can pair your pasta with the sauce you like. This guide will include how to make different sauces which you can choose based on your preference. It includes sauces for both veg and non-veg lovers.

Red sauces

Classic Marinara: If you want to have pasta mixed with delicious and classic marinara sauce, you can make it using tomatoes, garlic, and a hint of basil. It pairs well with spaghetti or penne pasta.

Bolognese: This sauce is a blend of meat, tomatoes, and a splash of wine. It is simmered to perfection, creating a rich and meaty sauce.

White Sauces

Alfredo: If you prefer pasta with a creamy texture, the Alfredo sauce is the best option. You can make this sauce easily using butter, cream, and Parmesan cheese.

Carbonara: Carbonara sauce makes your pasta more delicious and flavourful. It is made using eggs, cheese, pancetta, and pepper.

Pesto and Other Alternatives

Want a creative sauce option? Try using pesto sauce. It gives green colour and texture to the pasta. You can make this delicious sauce with fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan, and olive oil.

Use this vibrant, green pesto sauce to make a light and quick pasta dish. Or you can consider using different alternatives such as olive tapenade or sun-dried tomato pesto.

Cooking the Pasta

1) In a pan, add 1 tbsp butter at medium flame. First, add grated or minced garlic and cook it for a minute. Then, add chopped onion and green chilli. Stir it until it turns golden brown.

2) After that, add other chopped vegetables including French beans, capsicum, and corn. Fry the vegetables for 2 to 3 minutes and add 3 chopped tomatoes.

3) After all the vegetables are cooked well, add ½ tsp red chilli powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, and salt to taste. Mix well all the spices and vegetables.

4) Add the sauce you have prepared like alfredo or marinara and mix it well. Cook it for 2-3 minutes and stir continuously to prevent sticking.

5) Lastly, add the cooked pasta and mix it together with the sauce and vegetables. If your pasta is dry, add a splash of pasta water to maintain the sauce's consistency. Taste the pasta and make adjustments if necessary.

Final Touches

Give your pasta final touches with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and parsley, or you can even drizzle extra virgin olive oil. Garnish it with coriander leaves and serve it hot to your family or yourself.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

We make various mistakes while preparing the pasta. Try to avoid them to make the best and tasty pasta.

• Overcooking the pasta is the most common mistake. It should be soft but chewy to prevent a mushy texture. So, keep an eye on your pasta. Undercooked pasta should also be prevented.
  
  
• Not salting the water can result in bland pasta. Don’t skip it.
  
  
• Not stirring the pasta can cause the pasta to stick together.
  
  
• Don’t forget to save pasta water as it will help to thin out a sauce and enhance flavour.
  
  
• Don’t combine pasta with sauce too soon and should be hot when adding it to the sauce.
  
  
• Consider the pasta shape to pair it well with specific sauces.

Pro Tips

Here are some additional tips related to ingredients that you can add to your pasta if you want to.

Cream: If you want to make creamy pasta, you can add heavy cream. Use vegan cream if you’re a vegan. It makes the dish more fulfilling and satisfying.

Cheese: Before adding the pasta, add grated mozzarella cheese to the hot creamy or marinara sauce. This will be the treat for cheesy lovers.

Eggs and Chicken: You can even add egg and chicken to the pasta. For the egg, beat it and pour it into the pan. Scramble and cook it. Then add it to your pasta.

For the chicken, boil and shred it. Saute it with the veggies and then the process remains the same. Or you can pre-cook it and then add it to the veggies.

Mixed Vegetables: You can use your choice of vegetables, such as paneer, mushroom, broccoli, and other veggies according to your preferences.

Conclusion

If you were wondering how to cook pasta at home, then this guide will help you make one. You can prepare the pasta at home using the above recipe.

Choose the right pasta to know which sauce will work well with it. It is a comforting experience that allows you to have the perfect and delicious pasta in the comfort of your home.

You can make it with pasta with your choice of sauce and veggies. So, let’s get to cooking and prepare the yummy pasta.

You can also have the pasta without doing anything. Yes, you are hearing it right. But. how is this possible? This can be made possible by hiring the best cook for home in Noida and Delhi at NinjaCare. You can contact us today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1 Are there any gluten-free options for pasta alternatives?

Ans Yes, there are many gluten-free options for pasta alternatives, such as spaghetti squash and zucchini noodles.

Q2 How can I make these pasta alternatives more filling?

Ans You can make the pasta alternatives more filling by adding protein sources. You can add paneer or chicken to make your pasta more fulfilling.

Q3 What's the best way to reheat pasta?

Ans The best way to reheat pasta is by putting it in a saucepan. After that, Splash the water or sauce while stirring frequently.

Q4 How can I prevent pasta from sticking together?

Ans You can prevent the pasta from sticking together by stirring it occasionally. Also, don’t rinse the pasta after draining.