1Overcooked Pasta Is a Culinary Tragedy
Nothing makes an Italian cringe like soggy spaghetti. The ideal texture is al dente, meaning “to the tooth” — firm, with just a bit of resistance when bitten.
Cooking pasta until it’s soft all the way through doesn’t just ruin its texture; it affects the taste, the sauce absorption, and even digestion. Italians taste their pasta a minute or two before the cooking time ends. When it has that perfect chew, it’s ready.
