Culinary experts advise against rinsing pasta or adding oil to boiling water

Culinary experts and organizations suggest that common pasta cooking habits, such as rinsing cooked pasta with cold water or adding oil to the boiling water, may negatively affect the final dish.

According to the International Pasta Organisation and Barilla, rinsing pasta removes surface starch that is essential for helping sauces adhere to the noodles. Instead, experts recommend reserving one to two cups of the starchy cooking water to add to the sauce, which creates a smoother, more cohesive texture. Barilla advises mixing the pasta with sauce immediately after draining.

Regarding the use of oil in boiling water, experts note that oil often floats on the surface rather than coating the pasta, making it ineffective at preventing sticking. Furthermore, oiled pasta may struggle to hold onto sauce. Some traditional methods suggest adding a small amount of apple cider vinegar to the water to manage starch through acidity, though the primary focus remains on managing starch levels rather than using grease.