How much salt for cooking pasta?

The general rule of thumb is to use 1 tablespoon of salt per pound of pasta. This will result in pasta that is well-seasoned but not overly salty. However, you may want to adjust the amount of salt you use depending on your own personal preferences and the type of pasta you are cooking.

For example,

- If you are cooking a light-colored pasta, such as angel hair or spaghetti, you may want to use a little less salt than the recommended amount. This is because light-colored pasta tends to absorb more salt than dark-colored pasta.

- If you are cooking a whole wheat pasta, you may want to use a little more salt than the recommended amount. This is because whole wheat pasta has a more robust flavor than white pasta, and it can handle a bit more salt.

Here are some additional tips for salting pasta water:

- Add the salt to the water before the pasta. This will help the salt to dissolve evenly.

- Bring the water to a boil before adding the pasta. This will help the pasta to cook evenly.

- Taste the pasta water before you drain the pasta. This will help you to determine if it needs more salt.

- Do not rinse the cooked pasta with water. This will remove the salt from the pasta.

By following these tips, you can cook pasta that is perfectly seasoned and delicious.

Here is a table that summarizes the recommended amount of salt to use when cooking pasta:

Pasta Type Amount of Salt

- White pasta 1 tablespoon per pound

- Whole wheat pasta 1 1/2 tablespoons per pound

- Light-colored pasta 3/4 tablespoon per pound

- Dark-colored pasta 1 1/2 tablespoons per pound