Problembeginnerdraft
Pasta sticks together
Also searched as: sticky noodles, spaghetti stuck together, pasta clumps
In short: Starch on the surface has glued the pasta together, usually in the first few minutes or after draining.
Picture it
Like stamps lying damp on top of each other.
What happened in your kitchen?
Question 1
Was the pasta already sticking in the pot?
All causes, by frequency
- Not stirred at the start
In the first few minutes the surface is at its stickiest.
Next time: Stir several times in the first two minutes
- Left standing after draining
Cooling starch sticks.
Next time: Mix with sauce straight away · Add a little pasta water
- Water not at a rolling boil
Without movement the pasta lies against itself.
Next time: Bring the water to a rolling boil before the pasta goes in
Related entries
Sources
- Harold McGee: On Food and Cooking (2004)