How Long to Cook Pasta — Complete Timing Chart

Exact cooking times for every pasta shape from angel hair (2 min) to rigatoni (14 min). Plus the al dente trick that makes pasta taste restaurant-quality. **Timing Chart (al dente):** - Angel hair / Capellini: 2–3 minutes - Spaghettini: 6–7 minutes - Spaghetti: 8–9 minutes - Fettuccine: 10–12 minutes - Linguine: 9–11 minutes - Penne: 11–13 minutes - Rigatoni: 12–14 minutes - Farfalle (bow-tie): 10–12 minutes - Fusilli: 10–12 minutes - Orecchiette: 9–11 minutes - Macaroni (elbow): 7–9 minutes - Lasagna sheets: 8–10 minutes (or no-boil) - Fresh pasta: 2–4 minutes **The Al Dente Rule:** Subtract 1–2 minutes from the package time. The pasta should have a slight bite in the center when you cut it. It continues cooking for another 30–60 seconds after draining (carryover cooking). **Chef Luca’s Pro Tip:** Always salt your pasta water generously — it should taste like the sea (about 1 tablespoon per litre). This is your only chance to season the pasta itself. And never rinse pasta after cooking unless it’s for a cold salad.