These Hacks Will Change The Way You Cook Your Pasta

It might sound crazy, but toasting your pasta in the oven adds an intense nutty flavor. Simply bake dried pasta in a 350° oven for 10-15 minutes until it gets brown and fragrant ― then boil and sauce it.

Note: Because this method dries out the pasta, it may need a slightly longer than usual boil time to fully cook. Taste to be sure!

Simply boil thin noodles such as spaghetti or angel hair in a gallon of water with 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of kosher salt. When they're done cooking, rinse them under cold water to remove the baking soda flavor. The end result will be similar to ramen — bouncy, bold yellow, and delightfully chewy.

This method is fast, easy, and perfect for dorm life.

INSTANT MAC AND CHEESE

Serves 1

INGREDIENTS

½ cup elbow pasta

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

1 cup cold water

½ cup whole milk

½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

Combine elbow pasta, salt, black pepper, and water in a microwave-safe mug and microwave on high for 3 minutes. Stir pasta and microwave for an additional 3 minutes. Add milk and cheese, stir, and microwave for 3 final minutes.

Cooking small pastas such as ditalini or orecchiette in place of arborio rice makes for a delicious, noodle-based take on the classic.

PASTA "RISOTTO"

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

2 teaspoons minced garlic (about 3 cloves)

½ cup diced onion (about 1 small onion)

1 pound ditalini pasta

6 cups vegetable stock

1 teaspoon kosher salt

½ teaspoon ground black pepper

1 cup shredded parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

½ cup baby arugula, optional

Heat butter over medium heat in a large skillet. Add garlic and onion and sauté until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add ditalini pasta and one cup of vegetable stock. Continue adding stock, one cup at a time, stirring constantly, until pasta is cooked. Add grated parmesan, salt, and pepper and serve with additional grated parmesan and arugula.