Pasta

I usually boil the water first. Use an extra large pot so the pasta has room to expand and I definitely stir it at least once every 2-3 minutes or so. I also let the pasta sit in the hot water right before it is finished cooking and stir it some more. All of this seems to keep it from sticking. You can also try using a nonstick pot too doesn't mean you won't have to stir it but it makes clean up easier if it sticks.

Hope this helps.

Hi Mama-
The only thing I can think of is to stir the pot regularly. My pasta sticks, too, and I don't use oil or salt in the water, but when I stir it every few minutes or so, it seems to work out much better. =) Plus, I use way more water than what it calls for, and then just drain it out when done.
-E. M

I read somewhere that adding just a bit of salt helps, and I have not had any problems with the pasta getting sticky or sticking to the bottom since. I also hate the idea of adding oil. I only add maybe a dash of salt, get the water really boiling before adding the pasta, and then turn it down just a bit. I also stir the pasta when I first put it in, and maybe again in a few minutes like already suggested. Also make sure your pot is bigger than what you expect the pasta to be when it is done.

This happens to me when, after the pasta starts to swell, there is not enough water to freely allow the pasta to 'boil'. When there is not enough water/room to allow the boiling water to move the noodles, they sink and stick. Try a bigger pan or more water, and make sure you stir often the first five minutes of boiling.

I have always put olive oil in the water while it boils.

Try turning the water temp down a couple of notches. It will still boil but it won't stick to the bottom of the pan. The sticking comes from cooking at too high a temp.

I set the microwave timer for exactly the time the box suggests, and stir it constantly!! Never sticks to the bottom for me!

Hello J., You only need to add a small amount of oil or butter to the water-- no more than 2 tablespoons for an entire pan also make sure that you have plenty of water. I use tongs to keep the noodles seperated while cooking. It helps keep the pasta from sticking together along with the salt. When you drain and rinse you are literally getting rid of it.
Have a great time in the kitchen!

You simply have to stir it more often. Be sure to stir it right when it comes to a boil and then several time thereafter.

I've never had my pasta stick to the bottom of the pan. Are you sure you have enough water? You have to stir the pasta when you first put it in and then I stir it occasionally while it's boiling. I also do not put oil in the water.

I also hate using oil in the water, but I don't have it stick to the pan. I think the problem may be that your not using enough water. Be sure to follow the instructions on the package. You may also want to stir the pasta a few times during the cooking time.

I do not add oil. You really shouldn't need it. I would suggest trying to use more water. I also stir it once I add the pasta to the boiling water. This makes sure that is doesn't clump or stick to the bottom.

Along with making sure you add enough water (pasta should be able to roll around in the water) and adding salt you need to make sure you stir the pasta as soon as you put it in and several times during cooking. That helps to keep it from sticking to both the pot and itself.

first if you have one make sure you use a non stick pan. then make sure you have enough water in the pan. bring it to a full boil before dumping the pasta in. then cook it exactly the time it says on the package. I ruined an entire box of rotini noodles last week. I was making pasta salad and cooked them too long. they totally just turned into a sandy mush. not good lol

Not sure but I am assuming you boil water first then add the pasta? Even without oil just checking on it and stirring it will make it not stick. Perhaps your flame is too high or you are not putting enough water in. As far as oil it's a table spoon at most diluted by 2 qts of water how many calories could that possibly add to the meal? Also don't rinse pasta after cooking, the sauce won't stick to the pasta. Good luck!!

Boil the water first and then add the pasta , & cook it on a low heat , don't let it boil repidly as this is what causes it to stick.

You might try lowering the heat once you put in the pasta. I also try to give it a swirl every now and then before emptying the pot.

Good luck!

J. F.

Get a pasta cooker/steamer. Its a pan with a strainer insert that keeps the pasta from touching the pan where the burner is. You can use it for steaming veggies too as well as just the pan without the strainer for soups. Another thought would be to get a veggie steamer (the kind with leaves that open up) and put it in the bottom before you add the pasta. You can use the metal ones but I prefer the silicone ones that you can use in the microwave too. Anything that will keep the pasta from coming in direct contact with the bottom of the pan will work.

Make sure that as soon as you put the pasta in the water you immediately stir it and make sure the spoon/untencil is scraping the bottom of your pot. You need only to stir occassionally, every two minutes or so. You do need to use a large enough pot and have pleanty of water. Make sure that when go to drain the pasta you give it another stir before hand. My pasta has never stuck to the bottom of the pot and I don't even use a non-stick pot and I never use oil.
If you're still not having any success then maybe spray the pot with PAM before hand. Less fat and the commercials claim that it keeps the pasta from sticking.
Bon appetit!

There's a plastic thingie that I think is called the Pasta Boat, that goes in the micro-wave. We have one. It's great and the pasta doesn't seem to stick, but I do use just a tiny splash of olive oil. Olive oil is quite healthy tho. So is Coconut btw. Do some research and you'll find out what the health benefits are. Cut your calories somewhere else or add 15-30 mins. of fast walking to your day somewhere.

You'd be surprised what that can do for your waistline.

Not enough water in the pot for the amount of pasta could be why or you're putting the pasta in before the water is boiling. Also you have to stir as soon as you drop in the pasta.
Putting oil or butter in the water keeps it from boiling over.

Not enough water, and stur it till the water comes back up to that boil. Don't overcook it either, or the gummy noodles will be more likely to stick.