My partner cooked spaghetti but skipped rinsing the noodles. I couldn’t bring myself to eat it or offer it to anyone else. Isn’t rinsing pasta something you’re supposed to do?

Even before rinsing becomes a question, the cooking process plays a major role.

Use Plenty of Water:
A large pot with lots of water helps prevent noodles from sticking and ensures the temperature stays high. A typical guideline is 4–6 quarts of water per pound of pasta.

Don’t Skip the Salt:
Well-salted water seasons the pasta from within. A general rule is 1–2 tablespoons of salt per gallon of water.

Cook to Al Dente:
Stopping the cooking at the right moment prevents mushiness. Directly tossing hot pasta into sauce halts cooking for warm dishes, while cold water does the job for recipes that need chilled noodles.

4. When You Should—and Shouldn’t—Rinse Pasta

There is no universal rule; it simply depends on the dish.