Perfect Pasta

Whether it's angel hair, rigatoni or just plain spaghetti, pasta is always a crowd pleaser. The Good Housekeeping Institute's food appliances department just tested two pasta products that could make your next pasta meal easier to prepare.

The Spazio pasta pot from Bialetti solves the problem of finding the colander when it's time to drain.

"It has straining holes built into the lid, the lid locks onto the top so you can hold it by the handles and strain without worrying about the lid falling off," said Sharon Franke, Good Housekeeping Institute's Food Appliances director.

Progressive International's Silverstone colanders make it easy to clean up sticky pasta starch.

"It's coated with a silverstone nonstick finish both inside and out so it's really easy to clean. It has nice comfy rubber handles with rubber inserts and it's also easy to find at specialty stores or you can order it online from amazon.com," Franke said.

Good Housekeeping has a few tips to make sure you serve perfect pasta every time. Make sure you use enough water, four to six quarts of water for each pound of pasta, and be sure to add salt.

"You'll notice a big difference in flavor if you salt the water, and you don't have to worry about getting an excess amount of sodium. Only about 10 percent of the sodium is actually absorbed into the pasta itself," Franke said.

Wait for rolling bubbles in the water before adding pasta and don't add oil to the water. It can make sauces harder to cling. When the pasta's cooked, drain quickly and don't rinse unless you're making a cold pasta salad.

Good Housekeeping says you can find that pasta pot with the straining holes at specialty stores like Bed Bath and Beyond and Linens and Things. And one more pasta cooking tip: be sure you use the right size pot. If you use a pot that's too small, the pasta may stick together.

Contact these manufacturers for more information.

Spazio Pasta Pot
800-421-6290

Silverstone Colanders from Progressive International
800-426-7101