How do you check spaghetti for doneness?

- Look at the texture. Perfectly cooked spaghetti should be al dente, which means it has a slight bite to it and is not mushy.

- Taste a piece. This is the most accurate way to tell if the spaghetti is done to your liking.

- Check for broken spaghetti. If the spaghetti noodles break when you toss them, they're done.

- Use kitchen tongs to pull a few noodles out of the pots, set on the cutting board, and slice in half. This is the easiest way to inspect doneness. If the center is still white, it is not done. There should be no white center inside the noodle, and it should be opaque from the outside.

- The time specified in the cooking directions is also a good guideline, but keep in mind that cooking times can vary depending on the type and thickness of the spaghetti.