20 mins•3 servings•Easy
Burst Cherry Tomato & Garlic Pasta
Sweet cherry tomatoes cooked until they burst into a rich, glossy garlic and olive oil sauce clinging to al dente spaghetti.
7 ingredientsView Recipe →
Grains & Pantry Guide
How to Cook With, Store, and Substitute Pasta & Noodles
Pasta is the definition of weeknight salvation. Ready in under 12 minutes, a box of dried spaghetti or penne combined with a splash of starchy cooking water and whatever cheese or greens you have creates restaurant-worthy dining.
Illustrative photo from Unsplash. Guide updated . Storage times are typical estimates; follow package dates and discard food that looks, smells or feels spoiled.
How to Store Pasta & Noodles for Maximum Freshness
Dried pasta: 2+ years
Airtight Container in Pantry
Store dried pasta in an airtight jar or container in a cool, dry cabinet away from humidity and heat.
3 to 5 days
Cooked Pasta Refrigeration
Toss cooked leftover pasta with a teaspoon of olive oil to prevent sticking and store in a sealed container.
Best Ways to Use Pasta & Noodles
- Spaghetti Aglio e Olio (garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes, parsley)
- Classic Cacio e Pepe or creamy egg yolk Carbonara
- One-pot skillet pasta cooked directly in simmering tomato broth
- Cold pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and vinaigrette
Common Cooking Mistakes to Avoid
!
Not salting the pasta water generously (the only chance to season the pasta itself from within)
!
Dumping out all the pasta water (starchy cooking water is the secret to emulsified, glossy sauces)
!
Rinsing hot cooked pasta with tap water (washes away surface starches that allow sauce to cling)
Substitutions
| Substitute | Ratio | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Zucchini Noodles (Zoodles) | 1:1 by volume | Low-carb tomato or pesto dishes |
| Rice or Rice Noodles | 1:1 | Gluten-free dinners and stir-fries |
| Couscous or Orzo | 1:1 by cooked volume | Quick skillet meals and soups |
Frequently Asked Questions
How salty should pasta water really be?
It should taste noticeably salty—about 1 to 1.5 tablespoons of kosher salt per 4 quarts (1 gallon) of boiling water. The pasta absorbs only a small fraction, but it ensures seasoned noodles.
What is al dente and why does it matter?
Al dente translates to "to the tooth." It means cooking pasta until it is tender but retains a pleasant, firm bite in the center. Finishing al dente pasta directly in the simmering sauce for the final 60 seconds marries pasta and sauce seamlessly.
Recipes Using Pasta & Noodles
35 mins•4 servings•Easy
Weeknight Skillet Beef Bolognese
A streamlined meat sauce using ground beef, onions, garlic, and canned crushed tomatoes that tastes like it simmered all afternoon.
8 ingredientsView Recipe →
15 mins•3 servings•Easy
Quick 15-Minute Stovetop Macaroni & Cheese
No roux, no baking, no processed powdered cheese. Real shredded sharp cheddar melted into warm pasta with butter.
6 ingredientsView Recipe →
17 mins•2 servings•Easy
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio (Garlic & Olive Oil)
A classic southern Italian pantry pasta: spaghetti tossed with gently cooked garlic, olive oil, chili flakes, and starchy pasta water.
6 ingredientsView Recipe →
20 mins•3 servings•Easy
One-Pot Creamy Garlic Shells
Medium pasta shells cooked directly in milk and vegetable broth until starch emulsifies into a luscious garlic cream sauce.
7 ingredientsView Recipe →
20 mins•4 servings•Easy
20-Minute Creamy Tomato & Spinach Pasta
Penne pasta tossed in a luxurious pink tomato cream sauce studded with garlic and tender wilted baby spinach.
8 ingredientsView Recipe →