Al dente — pasta that is cooked but still has a firm bite to it — is the preferred way to cook and enjoy it among Italians.

Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook onion in oil over medium heat until softened, 4-5 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer.

This No-Cook Lemon Ricotta Pasta Recipe Is as Easy as It Is Delicious. Dante Parker. Mon, March 31, 2025 at 7:15 PM UTC. 2 min read.

Cook pasta to the point that the Italians call “al dente,” which means (literally) ... Ta-da. Finally, don’t just plop a pile of pasta on a plate, then ladle some sauce over it.

Add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes, or until it is firm but still has some bite. Before you drain the pasta, use a heatproof measuring cup to remove 1/3 cup pasta ...

For the perfect pasta, about 4 liters of water should be used for every 450 grams of pasta. "The more pasta you cook, the more water you need to prevent it from sticking to the pot," the expert noted.

Preparation. Step 1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-low. Cook guanciale, stirring often, until it starts to brown and crisp, 10–15 minutes; it will shrink dramatically as the fat renders.