Updated: Nov. 18, 2019
Believe it or not, pasta water is an integral part of any pasta dish. Seasoning (or not seasoning) can make a big difference.
We already know how much salt to use when cooking pasta, but do you know why you should be salting the water? As a former chef of a farm-to-table restaurant that specialized in homemade pasta, I learned a lot about how to season pasta water. No matter how good the noodle recipe was or how much flavor we infused into the pan sauce, the dish would taste flat if we didn’t salt the pasta water. Let’s take a peek into the science behind seasoning pasta to learn why (and how) it works.
Why Should You Salt Your Pasta Water?
It’s a common myth that salt makes your water boil faster—it doesn’t speed anything up, it just makes the water hotter. Exactly one degree hotter. So, unless you’re adding an inedible amount of salt, you’re not actually using enough to make a difference. The real reason to salt the pasta water is to season the noodle itself.
You see, when you drop pasta into boiling water, the starch molecules swell and expand. As the pasta leeches those starches into the water, room is created in the center of the noodle to take on liquid. If there’s salt in the water, the noodles will absorb that too and season the pasta from the inside out. That’s a good thing, because pasta is essentially just flour and water (and sometimes eggs). It doesn’t have a ton of flavor on its own, so unsalted pasta water creates bland-tasting noodles.
It’s not just about the noodle itself, either. Eaten side-by-side, a dish made with salted pasta water actually tastes better overall—not just with better tasting noodles—than unsalted pasta. You’d have to add salt at the end to the latter, and then it would just taste salty instead of seasoned.
Can You Season Pasta Water With Anything Else?
You can…but it won’t do much. Go ahead and add peppercorns, onions, fresh herbs or anything else you choose to your pasta water. The pasta likely won’t absorb enough water to make that seasoning worth it. The best way to create flavorful pasta is to add ingredients to the pasta dough itself or make one of these incredible sauces to toss it in after its cooked!
Perfect Homemade Pasta Sauces
1 / 31
TMB StudioPenne alla VodkaThis easy and impressive pasta is always on the menu when my husband and I have new friends over for dinner. Years later, they've asked me to make this Penne alla Vodka recipe again. —Cara Langer, Overland Park, KansasGet RecipeLooking for something a little lighter? Try these healthy pasta sauce recipes.
Taste of Home
Simple Pasta SauceThis is a simple pasta sauce that you can use for more than just spaghetti. Puree this recipe for pizza sauce or a great dipping sauce. I also like to make a variation for bruschetta by omitting the olive oil, using fire-roasted diced tomatoes and simply combining the uncooked ingredients. Refrigerate for at least two hours before serving on toasts. —Deborah Markwood, Chester, Virginia
Go to Recipe
Want to try something new tonight? Mix up one of these vegan pasta sauce recipes.
TMB Studio
Homemade Fettuccine AlfredoThis easy Alfredo sauce is creamy, comforting and coats fettuccine noodles in fine fashion. This recipe is wonderful as is, but sometimes I like to add sliced fresh mushrooms and black olives that have been sautéed in butter and garlic. —Jo Gray, Park City, Montana
Go to Recipe
Yum! For more sauce recipes, tips and tricks, check out our ultimate guide to pasta sauce.
Classic Pesto Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Classic PestoThis versatile pesto boasts a perfect basil flavor. Pair it with pasta (or one of these creative recipes using pesto and you've got a delicious dinner. —Iola Egle, Bella Vista, Arkansas. Try this delicious pesto pasta recipe.
Go to Recipe
TMB Studio
Beef Bolognese with LinguineAfter much research, tasting and tweaking, I finally came up with this beef bolognese recipe, based on a dish from an Italian restaurant where I worked. It’s perfect for feeding a house full of guests. —Christine Wendland, Browns Mills, New Jersey
Go to Recipe
Here are the other famoustypes of pasta sauces that you need to try now.
TMB studio
MarinaraMy mother, who was Italian American, called marinara sauce "gravy." She made this marinara sauce recipe in big batches several times a month, so it was a staple on our dinner table. A mouthwatering aroma filled the house each time she cooked it. —James Grimes, Frenchtown, New Jersey
Go to Recipe
Homemade Canned Spaghetti Sauce Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Homemade Canned Spaghetti SauceDIY canning spaghetti sauce recipes are a tomato grower's dream come true! Use up your garden bounty and enjoy it later in the year. —Tonya Branham, Mt. Olive, Alabama
Go to Recipe
Tortellini with Tomato-Cream Sauce Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Tortellini with Tomato-Cream SauceThis tortellini with tomato cream sauce is mouthwatering. Put spinach, tomatoes and other pantry staples to use in this warm and satisfying dish. —Barbra Stanger, West Jordan, Utah
Go to Recipe
Stamp-of-Approval Spaghetti SauceMy father is very opinionated, especially about food. This recipe received his almost unreachable stamp of approval. I have yet to hear a disagreement from anyone who has tried it! —Melissa Taylor, Higley, Arizona
Go to Recipe
Taste of Home
Homemade Alfredo SauceWhen I found out I had celiac disease and could no longer have fettuccine Alfredo, I was determined to figure out a way to re-create it. This has now become one of my most-requested dishes. I use gluten-free multigrain pasta, but you can use any style of pasta. —Jackie Charlesworth Stiff, Frederick, Colorado
Go to Recipe
Mushroom Bolognese with Whole Wheat PastaA traditional Bolognese sauce is meat-based with everything from pork to pancetta. Skipping the meat, I loaded this pasta dish with baby portobellos and veggies. —Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas
Go to Recipe
Taste of Home
Spaghetti Meatball SupperIt was such a joy to come home and find my mom making spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. This recipe has always been dear to my heart. —Debbie Heggie, Laramie, Wyoming
Go to Recipe
Mushroom Pasta Carbonara Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Mushroom Pasta CarbonaraI absolutely love this creamy and cheesy mushroom carbonara. I serve it with a side salad and rolls to make a complete meal. —Cindi Bauer, Marshfield, Wisconsin
Go to Recipe
Meat Sauce for SpaghettiHere's a thick, hearty meat sauce for spaghetti for a filling feast. When I'm in a hurry, I make this slow-cooker recipe in an electric frying pan instead. —Mary Tallman, Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin
Go to Recipe
Taste of Home
Stuffed Shells with Arrabbiata SauceThis Italian classic takes on a distinctive Latin American flourish with the addition of chorizo. The sausage adds an extra kick and awesome flavor to a dish that's already a favorite. —Crystal McDuffy, Fairfax, Virginia.
Go to Recipe
Seafood AlfredoMy guests usually can't believe I prepared this meal myself. The rich, creamy main dish features plenty of seafood flavors with a hint of garlic and lemon. Frozen peas and a jar of Alfredo sauce make it a simple supper that will be requested time and again. —Melissa Mosness, Loveland, Colorado
Go to Recipe
Creamy Sausage-Mushroom RigatoniIn Rome, we dined near the Pantheon. The amazing restaurant is now history, but its memory lives on in this tasty pasta with mushrooms and sausage. —Barbara Roozrokh, Brookfield, Wisconsin
Go to Recipe
After enjoying a similar dish in Italy, we came home and planted sage in our garden to be sure we could recreate the brown butter sage sauce. This quick and easy dinner always brings back fond memories of our trip. —Rhonda Hamilton, Portsmouth, Ohio
Go to Recipe
Homemade Meatless Spaghetti SauceWhen my tomatoes ripen, the first things I make are BLTs and this homemade spaghetti sauce. —Sondra Bergy, Lowell, Michigan
Go to Recipe
Taste of Home
Red Clam SauceThis recipe tastes like an Italian restaurant specialty and cooks while you take care of other things. What a marvelous way to jazz up pasta sauce! —JoAnn Brown, Latrobe, Pennsylvania
Go to Recipe
Quick Fettuccine AlfredoThis simple fettuccine Alfredo recipe combines heavy whipping cream Parmesan and Romano cheese or a creamy, cheesy sauce that'll come together in minutes. —Jo Gray, Park City, Montana
Go to Recipe
For another easy option, learn how to make simple pasta sauce.
Pizza-Flavored Pasta SauceI’ve been cooking since I was 6 years old and I’m always watching for recipes my friends and family will love. So when I tasted an unforgettable spaghetti sauce at a local restaurant, I just had to make my own version. —Angelina Falzarano, Midlothian, Texas
Go to Recipe
Taste of Home
Light Linguine CarbonaraWhen we have to rush off at night, I make this speedy pasta with veggies and bacon. Serve with breadsticks or garlic toast, and dinner's done. —Mary Jo Miller, Mansfield, Ohio
Go to Recipe
Taste of Home
Super Spaghetti SauceAt my house, we never know how many we'll have for dinner. That's why this spaghetti sauce is one of my favorites - flavorful, filling and fast. Smoked kielbasa gives it depth, and salsa adds the kick. —Bella Anderson, Chester, South Carolina
Go to Recipe
Taste of Home
Broccoli Shrimp AlfredoAfter tasting fettuccine Alfredo at a restaurant, I came up with this shrimp Alfredo with broccoli version at home. Not only does my family love the creamy dish, but my husband prefers it to the one at the restaurant. —Rae Natoli, Kingston, New York
Go to Recipe
Authentic Pasta CarbonaraI learned on my culinary internship in Tuscany that real Italian cuisine is simpler than you think! This carbonara is quick, simple and delicious, just the way they like it in Italy. —Lauren Brien-Wooster, South Lake Tahoe, California
Go to Recipe
Meaty Spaghetti SauceMy homemade spaghetti sauce got rave reviews, but it was so time-consuming to make on the stovetop. My family loves this flavorful slow-cooker version. —Arlene Sommers, Redmond, Washington
Go to Recipe
While sailing in the Mediterranean, we tasted a lemony artichoke pasta. I developed my own version of it that our guests love. Try it with shrimp and kalamata olives. —Peter Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas
Go to Recipe
Blushing Penne PastaI reworked this recipe from an original that called for vodka and heavy whipping cream. My friends and family had a hard time believing a sauce this rich, flavorful and creamy could be light. —Margaret Wilson, Hemet, California
Go to Recipe
Pepper Ricotta PrimaveraGarlic, peppers and herbs top creamy ricotta cheese in this meatless skillet meal you can make in just 20 minutes. —Janet Boulger, Botwood, Newfoundland and Labrador
Go to Recipe
Looking for the best pasta recipes? Look no further these incredible 5-star dishes.
