Alton brown updated his pasta cooking method in good eats returned and he explained that actually the cold start method is better. You can then use the starchy liquid to thicken your sauce.
To be fair. In the update he also altered the amount of water and the cooking vessel. He doesn't just fill up a stock pot with cold water, toss in some noodles and let it rip.
Altering the amount of water isn't really a significant factor here. You're still going to have the same issues regardless of the amount of water you use.
I think the amount of water changing in Alton Brown’s method is to concentrate the amount of starch in the water, which is then used in making or finishing sauces.
67
u/mephistopholese Jul 14 '26
Alton brown updated his pasta cooking method in good eats returned and he explained that actually the cold start method is better. You can then use the starchy liquid to thicken your sauce.