Beginner

How to Use a Pasta Cooker

How to use a pasta cooker: microwave, stovetop and electric steps, how to drain without spills, and how to clean it so pasta stays al dente.

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A pasta cooker saves time only when two things go right: the water level before cooking and the way the pasta is drained afterward. Get those wrong and the result is either crunchy noodles or a scalded counter. The method also changes with the type of cooker, since a microwave container and a stovetop pot with a strainer insert are not run the same way.

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Which kind of pasta cooker do you have?

Three designs cover most of what is sold, and the steps below split along the same lines. Check which one is on your counter before reading further, because the heat source decides almost everything about timing.

For microwave models with a strainer lid, see the best pasta cookers.

Six steps to cook pasta in a microwave cooker

Short shapes are the easy starting point. Macaroni, fusilli, penne and shells sit fully under water in a small container, while long pasta such as spaghetti only works if the cooker is deep and wide enough to keep it submerged. Many models print a measuring ring or ship a water-level card, which takes the guesswork out of the water.

  1. Put the dry pasta in the cooker, choosing a shape that will sit fully under water.
  2. Add water up to the serving line or measuring ring so every piece is covered.
  3. Set the lid on with one corner left open so steam can vent.
  4. Microwave on high for the time printed on the pasta box or in the cooker manual, stirring once halfway through.
  5. Check the texture and add more time in small steps if the pasta is still hard in the center.
  6. Lift the cooker out with oven mitts and drain it through the lid, as described below.

Five steps for a stovetop or electric cooker

These cookers work like a regular pot, so the water must be hot before the pasta goes in. Electric models take over the heating and timing, but the order is the same. Follow the maker's manual for fill lines, presets and any salt guidance specific to the model.

  1. Fill the pot with enough water to cover the pasta shape you are cooking.
  2. Heat the water to a rolling boil, using the stove or the electric model's heating setting.
  3. Add the pasta and stir gently at the start so the pieces do not stick together.
  4. Cook to the package directions, and begin tasting a little early; the pasta is ready when it gives a little but still resists the teeth.
  5. Lift out the strainer insert or basket, let the water run off, and toss the pasta with sauce promptly.

How do you drain without burns or spills?

Draining is where most mishaps happen, since the cooker and the water in it are very hot. Put on oven mitts first, keep the lid seated firmly, and tilt the cooker over the sink so the water leaves through the strainer holes while the pasta stays inside. Tilt slowly and keep your hands and face clear of the escaping steam; a first attempt is easier when the cooker is not filled to the brim.

With stovetop and electric models, hold the pot by its handles and lift the insert slowly, giving the water time to run off before moving it anywhere.

Clean the cooker before the pasta dries on

Let the cooker cool completely, then wash it with warm soapy water and a soft sponge. Whether it can go in the dishwasher depends on the model, so follow the maker's cleaning instructions rather than assuming. Rinsing soon after use keeps starch from setting on the lid's strainer holes, which are the hardest spot to clear once dry.

Frequently asked

Do cooking times differ for different microwaves?

Yes, microwave power changes how fast the water heats and the pasta softens. Start with the shortest time the pasta box or cooker manual suggests, check the texture, and add time in small steps.

Can I cook frozen pasta in a microwave cooker?

Microwave cookers are designed around dry pasta. Anything other than dry pasta can behave differently, so read the cooker manual before trying frozen or fresh.