Pasta timer
Pick your pasta and press Start when it goes into the boiling water. Times are typical for dried pasta cooked al dente. Check the packet too, since brands vary, and taste a minute before the end.
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Pasta cooking times
| Pasta | Al dente (dried) |
|---|---|
| Angel hair | 3–5 min |
| Elbow macaroni | 7–8 min |
| Spaghetti | 8–10 min |
| Linguine | 9–11 min |
| Fusilli | 9–11 min |
| Penne | 10–12 min |
| Fettuccine | 10–12 min |
| Farfalle | 10–12 min |
| Rigatoni | 11–13 min |
| Fresh pasta | 2–4 min |
Tips
- Use plenty of water at a rolling boil, and salt it well.
- Start the timer when the water comes back to the boil after adding the pasta.
- If the pasta will finish cooking in the sauce, drain it 1 to 2 minutes early.
- Save a cup of the starchy water to loosen and thicken your sauce.
Cooking several things? The multi-timer runs separate timers side by side.
Questions people ask
How long do you cook spaghetti?
About 8 to 10 minutes for dried spaghetti cooked al dente. Check the packet and taste a strand a minute early.
What does al dente mean?
Italian for "to the tooth": cooked through but still slightly firm when you bite it.
How long does fresh pasta take to cook?
Usually 2 to 4 minutes, depending on thickness. It is ready shortly after it floats.