Use a 4-quart saucepan and enough water to keep pasta fully submerged
Choose a pot size and water level that keeps pasta covered so it cooks evenly and doesn’t clump.
For a standard package of long pasta, a 4-quart saucepan is presented as a good fit. Fill it about halfway and ensure the pasta stays covered as it cooks and absorbs water.
The short version
- Keep pasta covered with water while cooking
- Pasta absorbs some water, so start with enough
What you need
- 4-quart saucepanoptionalSuggested size for a full package of spaghetti
What goes wrong
Using too little water so pasta isn’t fully covered
Use a larger pot or more water so pasta stays submerged
Why it works
/Enough water and space helps pasta move freely, reducing sticking and promoting even hydration.
Learn next
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If you don’t have an air fryer, you can finish cooking the topped pizza in the oven instead.
Finish a topped pizza in an air fryer at 180°C for 7 minutes
After topping the base, cook it in an air fryer at 180°C for about 7 minutes to melt cheese and heat through.
Cook pasta and sauce together in one pan to minimize washing up
Add pasta and sauce ingredients to the same pan so the dish finishes as the pasta cooks, reducing cleanup.
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If your food processor pusher has a small hole, use it to add liquids slowly (e.g., for dressings) while processing.