Steffen Henssler's Pasta Secret: Why Oil in Pasta Water Ruins Your Pasta

Do you add oil to the cooking water to prevent the pasta from sticking together? Many do, and it seems totally logical, right? But wait! Steffen Henssler strongly warns against it and explains why it's an absolute game changer—in a negative way. The oil just floats on the surface of the water. When you drain the pasta, it completely coats them.

Why oil ruins your pasta

The problem with that? This invisible oil layer prevents your pasta from properly combining with the sauce later. Imagine your delicious Bolognese or creamy Carbonara just sliding off the pasta! The result is pasta that doesn't taste optimal, sticks, and where the sauce simply doesn't adhere. Exactly the opposite of what you actually want to achieve, right?

Steffen Henssler's ultimate trick for perfect pasta

But don't panic, the cooking pro naturally has the solution ready! Instead of oil, Henssler recommends a super simple but effective trick: Just use LOTS of water. A large pot with enough water gives your pasta the necessary space to move freely. And the second part of the trick? Regular stirring! Yes, it's that simple. Occasional stirring ensures that the pasta doesn't stick to each other or to the bottom of the pot.

The secret tip for perfect sauce binding

This way, your pasta remains al dente, evenly cooked, and can later combine much better with the sauce. Other cooking experts also confirm this tip. By the way, another important note: Don't pour away all the cooking water before draining! The starch dissolved in it is a real sauce binder. Add a ladle of it to your sauce, and you'll taste the difference.

More Henssler hacks for your kitchen

And if you think that's all the pro tips from Steffen Henssler, you're mistaken! The cooking star recently also revealed his secrets for the perfect pizza dough. With just a few ingredients and a special resting time in the fridge, he creates an especially airy and flavorful dough. So, next time you cook pasta, remember these simple rules. Your taste buds and your family will thank you!

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.