Italians, foodies, and pasta lovers alike agree that all pasta should be eaten al dente — an Italian phrase that translates to "to the tooth." Al dente pasta is cooked until it is tender yet still ...

Cooking pasta al dente allows for some carryover cooking to happen once it’s out of the pot, whether that’s in a colander, a pot, or a skillet. It means you can finish cooking your pasta in sauces ...

While it would make sense to follow the cooking directions listed on a package of pasta, Italians usually don’t.

WHETHER you prefer your spaghetti al dente or soothingly soft, it can be difficult to achieve perfection at home. Many of us will have experienced our pasta disintegrating into a beige mush — ...