How to cook Italian pasta at home: step by step recipes with photos (+ bonus video)

Italian pasta is a dish that can be prepared in a short time and with a minimum of ingredients. But, despite its simplicity, cooking pasta has its own subtleties and secrets that you need to know in order to get the perfect result.

Watch the bonus video on how to make delicious pasta quickly and easily.

Spaghetti Carbonara

Spaghetti Carbonara is one of the most popular Italian dishes. To prepare this dish you will need:

• Spaghetti – 500 grams
• Guanciale or pancetta – 150 grams
• Eggs – 4 pieces
• Parmesan – 100 grams
• Salt and pepper to taste

Step by step preparation:

• First you need to cut the guanciale or pancetta into small cubes and fry in a pan until golden brown.
• Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in boiling water with salt, following the instructions on the package.
• In a separate bowl, mix eggs, grated parmesan, salt and pepper. Beat with a mixer until a homogeneous mass is obtained.
• When spaghetti is ready, drain them in a colander, but do not rinse them too well. Then put the spaghetti back into the pot and add the fried guanchale or pancetta. Mix.
• Pour the egg and parmesan mixture over the spaghetti and stir very quickly so that the eggs do not curdle, but just enough so that the mixture coats the spaghetti.
• Serve hot with grated parmesan.

Fettuccine Alfredo

Fettuccine Alfredo is another classic Italian dish. For cooking you will need:

• Fettuccine – 500 grams
• Butter – 100 grams
• Cream – 200 ml
• Parmesan – 150 grams
• Salt and pepper to taste

Step by step preparation:

• Cut the parmesan into small pieces or grate.
• Heat the butter in a saucepan over medium heat and add the cream. Stir until the mixture starts to boil.
• Add the chopped parmesan and keep stirring until it melts and combines with the cream to make a smooth sauce.
• Cook the fettuccine in boiling water with salt, following package directions. When the fettuccine is ready, drain it in a colander and leave some water in the pot.
• Place the fettuccine in a saucepan and add the prepared sauce. Stir thoroughly to coat all the fettuccine with the sauce.
• Serve hot with grated Parmesan and sprinkle freshly ground pepper on top.

Linguini with mussels

Linguini with mussels is another delicious Italian recipe. For cooking you will need:

• Linguini – 500 grams
• Mussels – 500 grams
• Garlic – 3 cloves
• Olive oil – 50 ml
• White dry wine – 200 ml
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Step by step preparation:

• Clean the mussels and get rid of broken and open shells. Cut the garlic into small pieces.
• Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat and add garlic. Saute until the garlic turns golden.
• Add mussels and white wine. Wait until the mussels open and steam comes out.
• Cook linguini in boiling water with salt, following instructions.

Penne with tomato sauce

Penne with tomato sauce is an excellent choice for dinner and will delight you with its incredible taste. For cooking you will need:

• Penne – 500 grams
• Canned tomatoes – 800 grams
• Garlic – 3 cloves
• Olive oil – 50 ml
• Basil – 10 grams
• Salt and pepper to taste

Step by step preparation:

• Cut the garlic into small pieces and fry it in olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
• Add canned tomatoes and break them up with a fork. Add salt and pepper to taste and continue to cook the sauce over medium heat for 10-15 minutes until it thickens.
• Cook the penne in boiling water with salt, following package directions. When the penne is ready, drain it in a colander and leave some water in the pot.
• Place the penne in a saucepan and add the cooked tomato sauce. Mix thoroughly to coat all the penne with the sauce.
• Serve hot with fresh basil cut into small pieces.

To be continued…