Adding Oil to the Water Adding oil to boiling water doesn't prevent pasta from sticking. It can actually make sauce slide off instead of sticking to the pasta.
Overcooking Pasta for Softness Cooking pasta longer than recommended doesn’t make it softer, it just makes it mushy. Al dente is the perfect texture for flavor and consistency.
Rinsing Pasta After Cooking Rinsing pasta washes away the starch that helps sauce stick. Always keep the pasta water to toss with the sauce for a better result.
Using Cold Water to Stop Cooking Cold water won’t stop the cooking process completely. It’s best to drain pasta immediately, or toss it in a pan with sauce to finish cooking.
Cooking Pasta in Too Little Water Using too little water leads to sticky pasta. The pasta needs room to move and absorb water evenly to cook properly.
Adding Salt Too Late Adding salt too late doesn’t fully season the pasta. Salting the water before cooking helps enhance the flavor of the pasta throughout.
Following Package Cooking Time Exactly The time listed on the package is just a guideline. Always check your pasta a minute or two before to ensure it's cooked to your liking.