Toss your spaghetti in after the water is at a rolling boil. If you put it in too early, it’s like forcing someone into a cold bath—nobody likes that.
Set a timer for 8 minutes, then start the tooth test. Pluck out a strand, let it cool for two seconds (please don’t burn your tongue), and bite it.
If it has a little white core in the center, it’s undercooked. If it bends like a wet noodle without any resistance, you’ve gone too far. Aim for that gentle tug—like a polite handshake from Italian grandma.
The “Rescue” Trick (For When You Screw Up)
Did you boil too long? Don’t panic. Drain it, run it under cold water to stop the cooking, and toss it in a hot pan with sauce. The sauce will reheat it without turning it to paste.
Did you pull it too early? No problem—just drop the undercooked strands back into the boiling water for one more minute. It’s not cheating; it’s being a pasta survivor.
Pro tip: Always save a cup of that starchy pasta water before draining. It’s liquid gold for making your sauce clingy and silky. You’re welcome.
