Cooking pasta, for some, is an overwhelming challenge. For example … a cousin of mine cooked pasta for so long … it came out of the pot in a large group each time.

If your pasta isn’t working … the following tips will help you get great results every time.

1. How much pasta per person? This always seems to be a problem for everyone. Only you know your family’s appetite … but … this is the general rule. A one pound box of pasta will serve 4 large diners. If you are preparing other dishes to go with your pasta, a one pound box would easily serve up to 6 people. Note: one cup of raw pasta is equal to two cups of cooked pasta.

2. How to salt the pasta? I add a lot of salt to my pasta water. They told me it should taste like the sea. Taste the water after you’ve added the salt … the taste of the salt should be noticeable.

3. Should I boil the water first? Yes! Bring the water to a vigorous boil before adding the pasta … a boil that cannot be stopped by stirring.

4. In how much water to cook the pasta? Make sure the paste has plenty of room to breathe. You want the paste to have enough water to move freely so it can absorb the water. If there isn’t enough water, the paste will stick and become sticky. Also, you will find raw pieces that have been glued together.

5. How to add pasta to boiling water? Slowly add the pasta to the boiling water. Ideally, the water should not stop boiling. If the water stops boiling, just stir the pasta until the water starts to boil again. This prevents the paste from sticking.

6. How do you know when the pasta is ready? The best way is to taste. Read the instructions on the package and, I suggest, check that the ‘al dente’ texture is perfect during the cooking time. Pasta cooks just enough when it’s “al dente” … that is … it has a bit of a bite. You have overcooked it if it is sticky.

7. Should I rinse the pasta? Some people like to rinse their pasta if it’s used in a pasta salad (I don’t bother). The choice is yours. Why not try it both ways? Don’t rinse the pasta if you’re adding a sauce … you’ll want to keep its starchy texture so the sauce will stick.

8. Drain the pasta? Most people drain all the water … this could be a mistake. Keeping a little water will prevent sticking. Also, the sauce will blend better. I always save a small amount of pasta water just in case the pasta gets too dry.

9. Heat up your serving bowl! It’s a good idea to serve your creation in a hot serving bowl. It’s a nice added touch.

Notes: Never cook two types of noodles together because each type has a different cooking time. One more thing … if noodles are used in a casserole, cook them a bit because they will finish cooking in the oven.