I will be making spaghetti for the first time today -- ANY tips or tricks?

Answer 1

Just follow the instructions printed on the package. Some people like to add onion, garlic and chicken boullion cubes to the water they will boil the spaghetti in, others add a little oil as well to keep it from sticking. When ready or al dente, meaning it is firm but not hard, put it into a colander and take it out of the hot water because if you don't it will continue to cook and turn mushy. Pour into pasta plates or any bowl, pour the sauce over it, and eat.

Answer 2

NO NO NO, do NOT add oil to the water, only a good dash of salt. Bring water to rolling boil, add spaghetti, undercook by 1 min from package directions, drain, DO NOT rinse. Oil and rinsing keep the sauce from adhering to the pasta and makes a thin ickky sauce on bottom of plate/bowl.

My little tip.......don't drown the spaghetti in sauce. Just enough sauce (gravy) to coat pasta when tossed, then lots of freshly grated parm (or if you can find or afford, Parm/Reg). Fresh basil and flat leaf parsley are a nice touch at the very end, as is a very LIGHT drizzle of excellent extra virgin olive oil.

Answer 3

Be sure that the water is salted and at a full boil before putting the pasta in. Add your pasta, stir often, and when water returns to boiling set your timer for 11 minutes. When the timer goes off pour pasta into a strainer - don't rinse - and pour a bit of olive oil on top. Let drain.

Tips for sauce: buy a bottle of it at the store. You can add chopped garlic, onions, peppers or whatever you like to it.

Answer 4

Yummy.
I use a mix of ground beef and ground sausage. If want to mix them into meatballs add some bread crumbs and roll them small, cook in some olive oil and garlic.

For sauce I use a combo of tomato sauce and paste, garlic, some Italian Herbs, sugar and just keep tasting it until it's where we like it. Adding, sometimes a bit of red wine.

Add the meat once it's cooked and let simmer.

Salt your water when you cook the pasta and boil just until al dente.

Enjoy

Answer 5

be sure to rinse your noodles once you have cooked them. Rinse in cold water then rinse again in hot. Takes the starch out of the noodles. Any left over noodles, put in a container and cover with water till use again. then drain the water off and drop in hot water to heat up for a few minutes. Most people don't make meatballs anymore but if you have time it's great. Cook in oven, keep warm and add to the sauce just before eating.j

Answer 6

Only add the pasta after the salted water has come to a full boil. If the strands are long, you may want to break them in half first. (At least I always do, it's easier to eat.) Stir well, and stir about every minute at first to keep them separated otherwise they'll stick together. Then just drain and toss with your heated sauce.

It's really easy, happy eating!

Answer 7

DO NOT RINSE YOUR NOODLES!!!!!!

To make a red meat sauce. buy a pound of ground beef, chop 1 onion, 1 clove garlic and mushrooms (can leave out if you don't like). Combine all in a sauce pan with a little bit of olive oil. once the meat is fully cooked add 1 can chopped tomatoes and 1 can tomatoe sauce - if you want to make it thick add a small can of tomatoe paste. let it heat up all together and add some parsley, oregano, and pepper to taste. Enjoy!

Good luck!

Answer 8

I like red wine in my sauce. If you like a sweeter sauce you can add some sugar to cut the bitterness of the tomatoes.

Answer 9

Add any kind of booze to your sauce, from beer, red wine, white wine..and lots of olive oil...remember to stirfry your ingredientes before pouring the tomato sauce.

Answer 10

add a little bit of oil to the water when you're boiling the noodles. it'll help against them sticking to the pot