How do you make simple pasta in a pot?

Making simple pasta in a pot involves boiling the pasta in salted water until it reaches the desired doneness. Here are the steps:

Ingredients:

* Dried pasta (any shape you prefer)

* Salt

* Water

Instructions:

1. Bring Water to a Boil:

- Fill a large pot with enough water to cover the pasta.

- Add 1 tablespoon of salt for every pound of pasta.

- Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.

2. Add Pasta:

- Once the water is boiling, add the pasta.

- Stir gently to separate the pasta strands and prevent sticking.

3. Cook Pasta:

- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions or until it reaches your desired doneness.

- Most pasta takes around 8-12 minutes to cook al dente (slightly firm to the bite).

4. Drain Pasta:

- When the pasta is cooked, drain it in a colander.

- Reserve a small amount of the pasta cooking water (about 1/2 cup).

5. Return Pasta to Pot:

- Return the drained pasta to the pot.

6. Add Reserved Cooking Water:

- Add a few tablespoons of the reserved pasta cooking water to the pot.

- Stir to coat the pasta. This will help prevent sticking and give the pasta a glossy sheen.

7. Season with Salt and Pepper:

- Season the pasta with additional salt and pepper to taste.

8. Serve Immediately:

- Serve the pasta immediately with your desired toppings or sauce.

Tips:

* For best results, use a large enough pot to allow the pasta to cook freely without overcrowding.

* Stir the pasta occasionally during cooking to prevent sticking.

* Taste a piece of pasta towards the end of cooking to ensure it has reached the desired texture.

* Reserve some pasta cooking water as it can be used to adjust the consistency of sauces or to add moisture to the pasta.