Why does my spaghetti always stick together?

Question

Why does my spaghetti always stick together?

Answer 1

This is what I do each time I make spaghetti (which is quite often) and it comes out perfect each time

1. I begin to boil water

2. Once I see bubbles I add a little olive oil and salt

3. Then I add the spaghetti

4. Make sure to stir it occasionally to separate the noodles

5. You can grab one noodle to be sure its cooked and check the middle

6. Placing a colander in the sink, pour the spaghetti in

Making sure that you don't cook the pasta for too long or too little is important so is using olive oil and stirring :)

Answer 2

You are probably not using enough water.



I never have trouble with pasta sticking, ever.

I use my big stock pot and I measure the water according to the package instructions.

I bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat and add the pasta.

I bring the water back to a boil and then set the timer for the least amount of the recommended time and then check the pasta every 30-60 seconds til it's al dente. I give the whole pot a couple of stirs with a wooden spoon while the pasta is cooking.



The moment the pasta is where I want it I pour the pasta and water through my largest colander, then rinse it. I rinse with hot water if I am tossing it into hot sauce, with cold water if I am going to reheat it in a pan or use it for pasta salad.



I think your problem is that you are not using enough water. Starch cooks out of the pasta and if you aren't using enough water the water is vey starchy and it makes the pasta sticky.

Answer 3

I think you've probably overcooked your pasta so it's too soft and sticky.Depending on the pasta shape, it will take different times to cook to the 'al dente' state you need- eg. penne takes longer than spaghetti, fresh much less time than dried. Taste it after 10 mins- it should be soft but still have a little bite ( al dente means 'to the tooth')



Or you have drained then left it on the side for too long before adding it to a sauce- it will tend to stick together.I find it's best to leave a little of the cooking water rather than draining completely dry.

Answer 4

it sticks together if you don't use a big enough kettle and enough water to cook it in.

look on the package at the guidelines for cooking any pasta...lots of water so the pasta has room to move around.

Answer 5

Real answer to your Spaghetti Problem. Before cooking the spaghetti in a pan.. Rinse the pan you have before putting water in it. Inside and out.



Put water in Pot. Add a small touch of oil and add a small amount of salt inside the pot. Turn heat on to high for a few minutes. Add then the spaghetti. Then lower it down to medium Heat after it starts to boil. keep it on medium until the noodles are done. Take time to stick spoon or fork in the pan to stir the noodles at various time so they do not have time to stick to bottom of pan or stick together.



Once the noodles are done. Take water drainer to sink. Wet the water drainer with cold water good. The more it is wet the better. As that helps keep the spaghetti from sticking. Pour Spaghetti in water drainer. And flush water in the water drainer with Spaghetti in it while ..cold water is rinsing the Spaghetti . Rinse only with water for a minute or less. As you don't want the spaghetti getting cold. Then put spaghetti in Pot. Add sauce and whatever you desire. And your spaghetti should be great. Don't forget the Italian cheese you sprinkle with on it. Of course that should be the decision of the ones eating it if they want that or not. Enjoy!

Answer 6

You're not stirring it enough.

Answer 7

plenty of water in a pot big enough like a dutch oven and make sure water is at a rolling boil before adding the spaghetti. No need for oil at all. It usually takes about 8 minutes on average before straining it. Stir the spaghetti at times too while it is cooking.

Answer 8

Not a large enough cooking vessel or not enough water. This is a common mistake.

Answer 9

Cooking it too long

Not enough ware

Water not at a boil when you put it in.

Or if you are using a cold water method and less water you need to move the pasta around until it begins to cook enough that it does not stick together.



If you are talking about after it has been cooked and water drained add a bit of sauce or leave a bit of the pasta water with the pasta to keep it from sticking when the starches cool

Answer 10

Of course oil doesn't work. Oil and water don't mix so all the oil will do is float on the top and achieve absolutely nothing. I know, I've tried it too, and all I see is globules of oil floating on the water. It does no good there. And anything you do to it after it's cooked is too late.



The Italians know best and what they do is cook it in a BIG pot with LOTS of water so there is plenty of room for the pasta to move. If it looks like far too much water, you're doing it right!



Bring the water to a rolling boil. Don't add salt yet because that makes it boil more slowly. When it's boiling, add salt (Anna Del Conte, the doyenne of Italian cookbooks in England, says "salty as the Mediterranean" - maybe that's going a bit too far but a good big shake is what you need), add the spaghetti, and keep it on a fast boil the whole time. That keeps it moving and stops it coming together and sticking together, and there's no need to stir it when the boiling water is doing that for you. When it's done, drain, mix with the sauce and serve IMMEDIATELY on hot plates - pasta will NOT wait.



While I'm at it, something Italians always do is keep some of the cooking water to add to the sauce. The starchy water helps it cling to the pasta. So don't drain your pasta too thoroughly - if it's still a bit wet, that's all the better.

Answer 11

The Italians know best and what they do is cook it in a BIG pot with LOTS of water so there is plenty of room for the pasta to move. If it looks like far too much water, you're doing it right!Bring the water to a rolling boil. Don't add salt yet because that makes it boil more slowly. When it's boiling, add salt (Anna Del Conte, the doyenne of Italian cookbooks in England, says "salty as the Mediterranean" - maybe that's going a bit too far but a good big shake is what you need), add the spaghetti, and keep it on a fast boil the whole time. That keeps it moving and stops it coming together and sticking together, and there's no need to stir it when the boiling water is doing that for you.

Answer 12

Don't bother with oil. It will just float on the top. Use a Large pot and fill the pot 3/4 of the way. Bring to a Rolling boil. THEN add a good handful of salt. Adding salt at the beginning, will not only make the water boil slower, it can also pit the bottom of the pot over time. Boil till the desired time, well cooked, al dente, etc. Drain, reserving about a cup of the water. Serve immediately-pour a bit of the reserved water over the pasta-that will prevent sticking.

Answer 13

You may be cooking the spaghetti for too long, with insufficient water, and on too high a boil. This can make the spaghetti stick to the bottom of the pan. Use plenty of water, a large pan, and simmer gently until just cooked i.e. just before the spaghetti is soft. Stir occasionally when cooking.

Answer 14

there are a few ways to avoid sticking. 1) cook only the amount of pasta that you need for one meal. 2) if you've cooked more than you actually need-place leftover pasta in a bowl and add some of the sauce to coat the spaghetti and save the extra sauce and pasta to heat another day. 3) I read you don't like adding olive oil to leftovers,but I've had success with that mathod-I find its' pretty easy to seperate if it does stick a little. I'd also strongly suggest not to add oil to cooking pasta-it never works in many ways-just add salt.

Answer 15

Spaghetti has starch which is sticky which is why they tell you in recipes to use lots of water to boil it in. Some people add a little oil to the water to keep it from sticking together but I find using enough water does the trick.

Answer 16

Get the water to a rolling boil, (lots of water) add spaghetti and as it softens move it around with tongs a few times, test for doneness by tasting, when done pour contents of pot through a fine strainer, plate spaghetti and sauce, then rinse remaining spaghetti with cold water for a few seconds. Should be fine - this is how I do it, no oil needed.

Answer 17

Do you:

- bring water to a FULL boil before adding the pasta?

- stir the pasta frequently at first, and then periodically as it cooks?



I always add oil to the water before I add the pasta, and never have any trouble.

The spaghetti doesn't stir very easily when it is still stiff, but I make sure it doesn't just sit there untouched in the boiling water.

Answer 18

Use a big pot with plenty of water, salt the water before putting pasta in (make sure it's at a full rolling boil) and stir the pasta the first couple minutes to release the starch. That should keep it from sticking.

Answer 19

Make sure you are stirring often to prevent the spaghetti from sticking together and sticking to the bottom when you put it in, and when it begins to cook. Thats when it may stick together if not stirred.

Answer 20

I always put my salt and seasonings and olive oil in the water then bring it to a boil. I realize oil rises to the top but I don't care, it works for me. I then put the heat down to med for a while, then bring it back to a boil. Why? Because it works for me.

I test one to see if it's done. If it's remotely crunchy then it's not done but usually can just look at it without tasting it.

Then I put the pot into a strainer to get rid of the water and I put margarine on top, whisk it with a spoon and it's done.

Answer 21

add spaghetti to water that is at a roiling boil...



as it comes to boil again, stir the spaghetti to prevent sticking, then add a bit of olive oil to the water... every once in a while, stir again to prevent sticking...

Answer 22

Boil alot of water. Maybe you neee a bigger pot. The minute it softens in the boiling water you have to mix it so it separates. I use tongs. Stir 2or 3 times during cooking. My background is italian and I've cooked spaghetti loads of times.

Answer 23

spaghetti has starch which is sticky which is why they tell you in recipes to use lots of water to boil it in... some people add a little oil to the water to keep it from sticking together but i find using enough water does the trick...

Answer 24

When your spaghetti is done all you have to do is rinse it in cold water. Rinse until the spaghtti is cold. It took me 20 years of sticky noodles until one day i watched my brother do this. Works every time. Don't bother with the oil invthe water, it doesn't work.

Answer 25

This can make the spaghetti stick to the bottom of the pan. Use plenty of water, a large pan, and simmer gently until just cooked i.e

Answer 26

I think you've probably overcooked your pasta so it's too soft and sticky.Depending on the pasta shape, it will take different times to cook to the 'al dente' state you need- eg. penne takes longer than spaghetti, fresh much less time than dried. Taste it after 10 mins- it should be soft but still have a little bite ( al dente means 'to the tooth')

Answer 27

make sure you are stirring often to prevent the spaghetti from sticking together and sticking to the bottom when you put it in, and when it begins to cook... thats when it may stick together if not stirred...

Answer 28

There has to be a LOT of water, no draining. Get a big pot, much water should be filled. While the pasta is cooking, there should be some scum floating on top. You have to scoop those out with a ladle and dispose of them.

Answer 29

Because you didn't stir it while it's boiling. You don't add oil and you don't run any water on it. Just get the water boiling rapidly, with at least 1 tsp of salt in it, stir and drain. If you rinse it the sauce doesn't stick.

Answer 30

add spaghetti to water that is at a roiling boil...



as it comes to boil again, stir the spaghetti to prevent sticking, then add a bit of olive oil to the water... every once in a while, stir again to prevent sticking...

Answer 31

Let water boil first before adding the salt,oil and pasta noodles.let boil until they become firm( around 7 minutes) then drain from excess water let stand in strainer. Set aside. Now cook the pasta sauce .the sauce is the topping for cooked pasta. Enjoy,

Answer 32

Once mine starts boiling I put about a teaspoon of olive oil in it and move the pasta around, and it doesn't stick together.

Answer 33

It's quite simple. Use a saucepan twice the size of the one you're using, and fill it with water. Boil water and add salt. Add pasta (nothing else) and stir a few times as it cooks. You won't have any sticking if you do this.

Answer 34

You should have enough water and also frequent mixing is a must while cooking your pasta. Put small amojnt of oil on the pasta after draining them

Answer 35

You left them in water too much time or you should change a spaghetti brand...

Answer 36

When I boil water for pasta, I put a drop of OIL in the boiling water with the pasta. NEVER does stick for ME.

Answer 37

Probably because you don't stir it sufficiently after you put it in the pot. Stir it and separate it until the water comes back to a full boil. I find a fork is the best thing to use.

Answer 38

there are a few ways to avoid sticking......... 1) cook only the amount of pasta that you need for one meal......... 2) if you've cooked more than you actually need-place leftover pasta in a bowl and add some of the sauce to coat the spaghetti and save the extra sauce and pasta to heat another day......... 3) i read you don't like adding olive oil to leftovers,but i've had success with that mathod-i find its' pretty easy to seperate if it does stick a little......... i'd also strongly suggest not to add oil to cooking pasta-it never works in numerous ways-just add salt.........

Answer 39

there are a few ways to avoid sticking......... 1) cook only the amount of pasta that you need for one meal......... 2) if you've cooked more than you actually need-place leftover pasta in a bowl and add some of the sauce to coat the spaghetti and save the extra sauce and pasta to heat another day......... 3) i read you don't like adding olive oil to leftovers,but i've had success with that mathod-i find its' pretty easy to seperate if it does stick a little......... i'd also strongly suggest not to add oil to cooking pasta-it never works in numerous ways-just add salt.........

Answer 40

add spaghetti to water that is at a roiling boil...



as it comes to boil again, stir the spaghetti to prevent sticking, then add a bit of olive oil to the water... every once in a while, stir again to prevent sticking...

Answer 41

use a big pot with plenty of water, salt the water before putting pasta in (make sure it's at a full rolling boil) and stir the pasta the first couple minutes to release the starch... that should keep it from sticking...

Answer 42

add spaghetti to water that is at a roiling boil...



as it comes to boil again, stir the spaghetti to prevent sticking, then add a bit of olive oil to the water... every once in a while, stir again to prevent sticking...

Answer 43

add spaghetti to water that is at a roiling boil...



as it comes to boil again, stir the spaghetti to prevent sticking, then add a bit of olive oil to the water... every once in a while, stir again to prevent sticking...

Answer 44

use a big pot with plenty of water, salt the water before putting pasta in (make sure it's at a full rolling boil) and stir the pasta the first couple minutes to release the starch... that should keep it from sticking...

Answer 45

there are a few ways to avoid sticking......... 1) cook only the amount of pasta that you need for one meal......... 2) if you've cooked more than you actually need-place leftover pasta in a bowl and add some of the sauce to coat the spaghetti and save the extra sauce and pasta to heat another day......... 3) i read you don't like adding olive oil to leftovers,but i've had success with that mathod-i find its' pretty easy to seperate if it does stick a little......... i'd also strongly suggest not to add oil to cooking pasta-it never works in numerous ways-just add salt.........

Answer 46

because it needs to soak in thicker water

Answer 47

Like the others said, use way more water than the directions call for. Add salt. Make sure the water is boiling before you put in the spaghetti. Stir pretty much the whole time it's cooking.

Answer 48

Rinse the spaghetti with cold water after you drain it.

Answer 49

I put salt in the boiling water. It prevents it from sticking.

Answer 50

Several possible reason. Not enough water? Over cooking?

Answer 51

Cooking it at the wrong temp.

Using a bad brand name.

Bad tap water.

Maybe one of these ^

Answer 52

You have to put salt in the water first boiling your water then add you noddles to they stick to the wall

Answer 53

Didn't stir it often enough in boiling water

Answer 54

I stir my pasta constantly (though I'm no expert, but the constant motion seems to help)

Answer 55

you are over cooking them.Put a little olive oil in the water and rinse with cold water,this will help if you over cook them.

Answer 56

You have to stir it enough to prevent this. Without stirring the oil will do no good.

Answer 57

You can't cook

Answer 58

Add some butter to the water

Answer 59

You just need so stir it few times. and use enough water

Answer 60

Not enough water

Answer 61

Not done cooking

Answer 62

you either cook it too long or you dont stir it regularly

Answer 63

its a bad pasta

Answer 64

cooking it too long

Answer 65

Because I put my *** in it

Answer 66

Do not use oil

Answer 67

Too much starch ...

Answer 68

try butter :)

Answer 69

ok