# Pasta cooking tips and timing

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/pasta-cooking-tips-and-timing
> Updated: 2026-07-26T14:34:00.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

In early July, Barilla's head chef Lorenzo Boni advised that salt should be added precisely when the water reaches a vigorous boil, recommending about four teaspoons for four litres per 500 g of pasta and cautioning against salting cold water or over‑boiling, which can concentrate sodium. He also suggested reserving a portion of cooking water for sauce binding and avoided adding oil to the pot.

By late July, German television chef Steffen Henssler reiterated the recommendation to omit oil, explaining that oil coats the water and prevents sauce adhesion. He emphasized using ample water, a large pot, and occasional stirring. In addition, a Swedish university study highlighted that cooking spaghetti for exactly ten minutes yields optimal texture by preserving the gluten matrix, warning that longer cooking leads to mushy noodles.

## Timeline

### 2026-07-26: German cooking experts recommend no oil and exact 10‑minute boil for perfect pasta

German chef Steffen Henssler says skip oil and use ample water and stirring, while a Swedish study shows a precise 10‑minute boil is optimal for spaghetti, noting gluten’s role in texture.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/german-cooking-experts-recommend-no-oil-and-exact-10minute-boil-for-perfect-pasta

### 2026-07-05: Barilla chef explains ideal moment to salt pasta water

Barilla chef Lorenzo Boni advises salting pasta water at a hard boil (4 tsp per 4 L) and offers a creamy zucchini fettuccine recipe.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/barilla-chef-explains-ideal-moment-to-salt-pasta-water

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Cite as: Pasta cooking tips and timing. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/pasta-cooking-tips-and-timing