Description
Spaghettoni is an excellent choice for classic Italian-inspired dishes, from rich tomato sauces and creamy preparations to garlic and olive oil, pesto, and slow-cooked meat sauces. Its thicker shape also makes it ideal for finishing directly in the sauce, where the pasta absorbs flavor while maintaining a deliciously firm texture.
Tips for eating or cooking
Cooking Tips for Perfect Spaghettoni
Use plenty of water: Cook spaghettoni in a large pot of rapidly boiling water so the thick strands have enough room to cook evenly.
Salt generously: Add salt once the water reaches a full boil. Well-salted water seasons the pasta as it cooks.
Stir immediately: Gently separate the strands and stir frequently during the first minute to prevent them from sticking or clumping together.
Cook it slightly under: Remove the spaghettoni 1–2 minutes before the recommended cooking time. It should still be firm in the center.
Finish in the sauce: Transfer the partially cooked pasta directly into your warm sauce and let it finish cooking there.
Add starchy pasta water: Pour in a small splash of reserved pasta water while tossing. The starch helps the sauce cling to the thick strands and creates a smooth, cohesive finish.
Pro tip: Spaghettoni is at its best when it finishes cooking in the sauce—not when it finishes cooking in the pot.