Can I make angel hair noodles not so mushy?

Question

I hate how it is so mushy. That is basically the only thing I have in the house to make dinner. So I am going for it. So is their anyway to make it not so mushy.

Answer 1

Don't cook them so long. Read the directions. My guess is 5 minutes.

Answer 2

I like to do the following with angel hair pasta. Bring the water to a brisk boil and add the noodles. Cook them in boiling water for 1 minute then turn off the heat. Place a cover on the pot and let them sit for 10 minutes or more. When you are ready to serve the noodles simply drain them and they are ready. Good luck.

P.S. The same technique works when boiling shrimp.

Answer 3

Angel hair pasta must be cooked very quickly. If you are cooking for 1 or 2 start with 1/2 gallon water with a tablespoon of salt bring to boil. When water is at boil drop in pot cook for no longer than 2.5 minutes. Drain immediately.]
Good Luck

Answer 4

First of all, the brand of pasta is important here. I always buy Barilla. If this is not the brand you have, that is OK. I agree with everyone who said cook for shorter time. I usually cook my pasta for about one minute less than the directions say. This prevents them from being over cooked and hence, mushy. Last, my MIL uses olive oil and salt to cook her noodles, and think she has the mushiest noodles ever. (Ya, ya, I know all the chefs say to add salt and EVOO to the cooking water, but in my experience it just makes them mushier.) I would wait until after cooking to add this flavoring.

Answer 5

Start with boiling water before you add the noodles.
Check after 5 to 6 minutes, it should not be mushy at that point. Taste one. If your elevation is over 3500 feet, it takes longer to cook. If it's not done enough after the first 6 mintutes, check every minute or so after that one noodle at a time until it is the desired firmness.

Answer 6

Make sure the water is at a complete boil before you put in your noodles. Cook them for only 4-5 minutes. Angel hair is very quick to cook. When it is done cooking, immediately remove from heat and pour into a collander. If you allow them to sit in the water, they will become over cooked,. Rinse with luke warm to cool water after out of the pot. This will cease the cooking as well.

Answer 7

You are simply cooking it a bit too long - angel hair cooks very quickly....dried angel hair is only 4 minutes for al dente. It is a very skinny pasta, so any longer and yep - you get mush! Be sure the water is boiling before you add it, and then be sure that you time it. Drain it immediately, toss with whatever you're tossing it with, and serve promptly!
Never Add Oil or Rinse Your Noodles!!!!! Please - you want the bit of starch to help your sauce stick!

Answer 8

Drop in boiling water. Cook for about 4-5 minutes. Put them in a colander to drain, while rinsing them with cold water. The cold water will stop the cooking process.

Answer 9

Sure, they are very thin, so therefore easy to overcook. There is also carry-over cooking - they are hot enough to continue cooking for a while after they removed from the pot.
Just cook them for one minute less each time you make them, until they turn out correctly. Be sure the pull them from the hot water promptly when the time arrives and be sure they are well-drained. You are just cooking them too much.

Answer 10

don't cook it for so long and keep it to a boil on a lower setting. i always put butter and garlic seasoning in it after i drain them too, it makes them delicious.i always do all of that and i never get mushy angel hair pasta.

Answer 11

You need to be sure the water is boiling before you drop in the noodles. And watch the time. I actually cut the time in the boiling water by a minute or two. Once they seem to be flexible, they are nearly ready. el donte' I think is the term. Remember to remove them immediately from the heat and the hot pan. I usually rinse them in luke warm water and serve immediately.