Why you should never break spaghetti to fit into a saucepan: the most common cooking mistakes

We all know how to cook pasta. But do we do it right? As it turns out, most housewives make a lot of mistakes when cooking pasta. For example, they add oil to the water, or divide the spaghetti in half to fit into the pan.

In order to prevent these and other mistakes from happening again, Silvia Colloca, an Italian-Australian TV chef and cook, has explained how to cook pasta properly. She has published her recommendations in her new book "Simple Italian," writes the Daily Mail.

Is it necessary to break spaghetti?

According to the chef, the pasta should only be broken up if it is to be used as an addition to the first course. In all other cases, the spaghetti should be cooked whole, using a large pot. In addition, spaghetti that has not been broken during cooking retains the sauce better, and it will be much easier to eat by turning long strands with forks.

Should I add oil?

Colloca says that you shouldn't add oil while cooking pasta. Many housewives use this method thinking that this way the pasta will not stick together. But in fact, the oil will simply float to the surface of the water and will not perform any function or benefit the pasta.

What can I do to prevent pasta from sticking together?

The only effective trick to keep pasta from sticking together, says Silvia, is to boil it in salted water. Once the pasta is in the water, it's worth stirring it several times. This way, it will never stick together.

What is the right way to cook pasta al dente?

Proper pasta is pasta cooked al dente. To get exactly this effect, you should cook the pasta over high heat, otherwise the dish risks turning into a solid mess.