Why It's A Mistake To Cover Pasta While Boiling It

Have you ever heard the expression, "a watched pot doesn't boil?" There may be some truth to it, just not in the way that saying implies. A covered pot boils a little faster since the lid traps energy, making the temperature and pressure rise quicker, per America's Test Kitchen. If you are in a hurry to whip up some pasta after work, it may seem tempting to see whether covering the pot makes it cook faster. That might be a mistake, here's why.

Covering the pot while you initially bring the water to a boil is fine, though, as America's Test Kitchen found it may only save a minute off boiling 4 quarts of water. Speaking of the pan size, another common mistake is using the wrong-sized pan. If you use a pan that is too small you end up with a higher "starch to water ratio" and pasta that sticks together. Lilly's Fresh Pasta recommends that if you are cooking half of a pound of pasta, use a 3-4 quart pot. A similar result can come from putting the pasta in non-boiling water per Southern Living. 

If every second counts, it may be worthwhile to boil the water with the lid on, but leaving the lid on while cooking your pasta may be a mistake for a few reasons.

The most immediate problem with boiling with the lid still on is that it can make a big mess! Leaving the lid on can result in the water boiling over the edges of the pot, according to Smithsonian. Of course, some pasta sauces and stews may require simmering with the lid on to concentrate the flavor. Just be sure to pay attention. While cooking pasta with the lid on probably won't change the texture, a rolling boil is usually better for evenly cooking it, per America's Test Kitchen. With the lid on, the temperature might rise faster than expected (which is also why it can cause a mess).

Finally, another issue with cooking pasta is that it is harder to check the pasta to see if it is cooked to your preference whether that is al dente or super soft. The cooking time may be faster than expected with the lid on. Some people prefer to add a little olive oil toward the end of the cooking time especially if they are not using an elaborate sauce, per Smithsonian. 

Now that mystery is solved, you may want to try some of these easy pasta recipes for quick weeknight meals.