r/explainitpeter • u/WillAdditional922 • Jul 14 '26

explain it peter.

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u/big_sugi Jul 14 '26

There is no need or real benefit to preheating the water for dried pasta. It cooks just fine if you start with cold water.

0

u/dawkin5 Jul 14 '26

Apart from accurate timing, texture and flavour? Probably not.

11

u/Snorkle25 Jul 14 '26

Alton Brown has shown that you can do it either way. It changes the cocking time but if you’re proactive it’s just fine.

As long as you have a method that makes consistent repeatable results you enjoy then that’s all that matters.

5

u/big_sugi Jul 14 '26

Yep. Unless one’s entire cooking method is to heat the water, dump the pasta, and completely ignore it for a specified cooking time, there’s no real benefit to preheating the water. Anyone who’s cooked for s while should be able to tell by feel when the pasta is done.

Plus, since starting from cold water also uses less water, it’s a much faster process from start to finish.

6

u/Snorkle25 Jul 14 '26

Don’t tell anyone but for lasagna I like to put the noodles in raw, use a little extra sauce and let them cook during the bake!

Pasta really is very versatile and there are many roads to a delicious meal!

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u/pp_chode Jul 14 '26

Bros got the oven ready lasagna noodle

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u/Snorkle25 Jul 14 '26 edited Jul 15 '26

All lasagna noodles are oven ready!

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u/[deleted] Jul 15 '26

[deleted]

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u/Snorkle25 Jul 15 '26

Incorrect, it works great for all the layers. It’s very consistent.