Cooking fresh pasta takes only 2 to 4 minutes in boiling salted water. Shake off excess flour, stir right away to prevent sticking, taste early for a tender bite, and finish cooking the noodles directly in your warm sauce with a splash of starchy pasta water.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Boil Water: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and add salt until it tastes like the ocean.
- Prep Noodles: Shake off any extra flour from your fresh pasta so it does not make the water gummy.
- Add and Stir: Drop the pasta in and stir right away so the strands do not stick together.
- Time It: Start your timer immediately; thin ribbons like fettuccine take 1 to 3 minutes, while filled pastas like ravioli take 3 to 4 minutes.
- Test Doneness: Bite a piece to make sure it is cooked through with a slight chew.
- Finish in Sauce: Transfer the pasta straight into your hot sauce using tongs or a spider tool, add a splash of cooking water, and toss for one minute.