According to most packages, dried spaghetti needs 8 to 12 minutes in boiling water. But that’s just the idealistic version of reality—like when a recipe says “season to taste” but you dump in the whole salt shaker anyway. The truth is, the exact time depends on your brand, your altitude, and how much you’re lying to yourself about wanting al dente.
If you’re using a thin spaghetti like angel hair, you’re looking at 4 to 6 minutes. That’s basically a blink. Thicker noodles like traditional spaghetti need the full 10 to 12. And if you bought the “uncooked” box from the back of your pantry two years ago? God help you. Add two minutes for every layer of dust.
