
1. If you're making a baked pasta dish, soak your pasta instead of parboiling it...

2. But if you're not baking your pasta, up the soaking time to one and a half hours...

3. Or ditch boiling altogether and cook your pasta right in its sauce.
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This allows the pasta to absorb as much flavor as possible without having to wait around for a giant pot of water to boil. Try this technique with creamy sauces and you'll never go back to boiling again.
4. Cook pasta in the microwave for an instant, dorm-friendly dinner...
5. And take it to the next level by adding milk and shredded cheddar.

6. Be like Alton Brown and cook your pasta in a bit of cold water.

7. To save even more time, ditch the deep pot for a shallow pan.
8. Freeze cooked pasta in individual portions for quick and easy weeknight dinners.

9. Cook it in a slow cooker for an effortless pasta night.

10. Boil it in a pressure cooker to cut the cooking time in half.

11. Cook your pasta like risotto for a quick one-pan dinner.


Cooking small pastas such as ditalini or orzo in place of arborio rice makes for a quick and easy take on risotto without the endless stirring. Get the recipe for pasta risotto with herb roasted chickpeas here.