Liquids

• Simmer the potatoes in a pot of salted water before adding the pasta. Drain after cooking and add the potatoes and spaghetti to a soup or stew as desired. Alternatively, keep the cooking liquid for a casserole or simmer it until it is reduced to a thicker consistency to create a sauce. For example, simmer a marinara sauce with potatoes and pasta to create a thick and delicious one-pot meal.

Cooking Time

• Length of time for cooking the potatoes before adding the pasta depends on the size of the individual pieces of diced potatoes. Larger pieces will cook slower, and smaller pieces, faster. The average time for cooking diced potatoes, when in bite-size pieces, is about 10 minutes on a simmer. Add the pasta when the potatoes are translucent around the edges but not cooked through, about six to eight minutes into their overall cooking time. This will quickly cook the pasta and ensure the potatoes are cooked by the time the pasta is al dente.

Considerations

• Depending on the dish, a variety of flavors can accompany spaghetti and potatoes. These can range from traditional Italian herbs, from basil to oregano to tarragon, for a stew; to ginger and Chinese five-spice mix, for a casserole. A variety of different vegetables or meats can also be added during the cooking process, or after the potatoes and pasta are finished cooking. For salads, let the cooked spaghetti and potatoes cool completely, then toss with a creamy dressing and salad greens.

Alternatives

• Cook the pasta and diced potatoes separately and then add them together to only reheat them for a soup. This will keep the liquids from thickening while cooking. Alternatively, place the uncooked pasta, potatoes and other desired ingredients, such as onions or green beans, in a casserole dish. Bring water to a boil and pour over the contents of the casserole dish until they are covered. Bake in the oven, covered, for one hour.