Have you ever wanted to cook a pasta dish for two but wondered how much does pasta expand when cooked after ending up with a portion size for four?
Trust me; you are not alone!
When it comes to controlling the portions, pasta can be very confusing. It happens because pasta increases in size once it is boiled, and if not measured correctly, you end up making more.
Pasta comes in all shapes and sizes, and there are more than 600 pasta shapes in the world. Some shapes are great for making baked dishes, while others are good for retaining the sauces.
So, depending on the shape, the size of the pasta increases when cooked.
Whether you are making a spaghetti bolognese or a fettuccine alfredo, always consider how much pasta expands when cooked. There are ample easy ways to know how much pasta you will need before boiling.
According to the shape, the pasta will almost double in size once it’s done. For pasta with smaller shapes, such as rotini and penne, half a cup of uncooked pasta will be two ounces when cooked.
Why Does Pasta Expand in Size When Cooked?
All starchy foods expand in size when cooked. The starch in the pasta absorbs the water, so its original volume and weight increase considerably once it is cooked.
As the regular pasta increases almost twice in size, it is relatively inexpensive as it yields more when cooked.
However, the increase in size depends on the ingredient used for making pasta and whether the pasta is fresh or packaged.
Tip: Make sure that the water is boiling hot before putting in the pasta; otherwise, it will become gummy and sticky.
If you want to make the right amount of pasta every time, read on to know some tips or tricks that will come in handy.
Tips To Remember Before Cooking The Pasta
Always Measure Your Pasta Before Cooking
It is always better to measure your pasta before cooking to avoid wasting food. Use a food scale to measure the pasta.
One serving of pasta equals one-ounce uncooked pasta, which is also the recommended quantity for a person.
A food scale works best for all pasta shapes: spaghetti or elbow pasta. Alternatively, you can also get a pasta measure, which is a tool that has holes in it for measuring the portion size.
All you need to do is fill the holes for the required serving, and you are good to go.
Pasta measures are inexpensive and especially work well with strand pasta.
If you do not have a food scale, you can use a measuring cup to get the correct quantity needed. But it is trickier as the measurement may vary according to the shape.
If you want to make one serving of pasta for shapes such as rotini, shells, penne, elbow, and cavatelli, then you should take ¼ cup of these dry pasta shapes.
The rule of the thumb is that one serving of uncooked pasta equals ¼ cup, whereas one serving of uncooked pasta is ½ cup.
You might be wondering if half-cup pasta would be enough for your meal. It becomes wholesome and filling when you add veggies and protein to the pasta.
Also, you can have a salad or something on the side to ensure that you are eating the right amount.
Resist the Temptation to Empty the Whole Box
Did you know that most dried pasta is made of only two ingredients? Any guesses?
Well, it is fairly simple. Semolina flour and water.
Because dried pasta does not contain eggs, it is quite easy to prepare. Semolina flour and water are made into a paste and pushed through a mold.
It is then cut into the desired shapes dried at a low temperature and stored.
Fresh pasta, on the other hand, is often made with eggs and generally has more fat and cholesterol.
We know that you might feel the urge to empty the whole box into boiling water, but you might end up making way more than required.
Do not worry uncooked pasta has long shelf life!
So, if you don’t intend to entertain more people, you will not need that much.
Generally, the pasta box you get from the supermarket is good enough to make four portions of pasta.
Tip: If a recipe mentions 2 cups of pasta, you should take the required amount of dry pasta.
Consider How Much Does Pasta Expand When Cooked
As the pasta boils in hot water and reaches a temperature of 60 degrees, the starch granules present in it start swelling up.
So, these granules come in contact with each other and are converted into a gel.
If your pasta is made with white flour, it will increase twice its size after boiling in salted water.
Similarly, other varieties such as buckwheat, brown rice, and corn pasta expand a lot when cooking, so you need to measure the serving size carefully.
On the other hand, if you go for whole wheat or gluten-free options, they do not swell up as much as the regular pasta. So, use more uncooked pasta.
When the pasta is made fresh, it doesn’t expand in size and requires much less water for cooking. Also, fresh pasta cooks pretty fast, i.e., in one to three minutes, so you need to keep an eye on it.
Stir it continuously so that it does not stick to the bottom of the pan.
On the other hand, dried pasta swells up when dropped in boiling water, it is easier to store, and has a longer shelf life.
Tip: Don’t rinse your pasta in cold water once it is cooked, as the sauce will not stick to the pasta making it less flavorful.
Avoid Using a Small Pot for Cooking Pasta
The size of the pot is often overlooked when boiling pasta.
However, it can make a huge difference, so always go for a giant pot when cooking pasta.
It is best to have a pot that can hold up to five or six quarts of water. When you opt for a bigger pot, you don’t need to break the pasta if you are using strands such as spaghetti.
Moreover, as the pasta increases in size when cooked, it needs more space, or else the starch released upon boiling will make the pasta sticky.
There is one more reason to avoid using a smaller pot. The water temperature drops when you add pasta to a small-sized pot.
So, it takes a long time for the water to boil again, thereby making your pasta mushy.
Tip: If you don’t want your pasta to be sticky, stir the pot during the first two minutes of cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Egg Pasta Expand When Cooked?
Egg pasta is similar to regular pasta in the way it expands. So, when put in boiling water, its size will double.
How Much Does Fresh Pasta Yield When Cooked?
Unlike fresh pasta which doubles in quantity when cooked, fresh pasta does not expand.
The increase in the size of fresh pasta is around 40-50% after cooking, so the serving size needs to be adjusted accordingly.
What Is the Ratio of Pasta to Water?
If you are cooking one pound of pasta, it is good to have four quarts of water. Generally, when cooking more pasta, you need more water so that the pasta doesn’t cling together and become mushy.
Final Thoughts
By now, you know how much does pasta expand when cooked. Ideally, your pasta should be boiling in a lot of water to have all the room to expand.
If you have an average pot, then fill it with water up to 3/4th of its size and cook it al dente.
So, what are you waiting for? Follow these tips to enjoy your favorite pasta recipe.