How to Use Pasta Water the Right Way in Your Cooking

You’ve been making pasta wrong your whole life. Okay, not wrong, but you’ve definitely been throwing one of the best things about pasta down the drain: the pasta water. But what if I told you that murky water is your ticket to leveling up your next pasta dinner?

What is pasta water, anyway?

Pasta water is the salted water you boil pasta in. It’s the stuff you drain off and put down the sink once the pasta is cooked. During cooking, the starches from the pasta release into the water and create liquid gold you most definitely should not be getting rid of. 

Why pasta water is liquid gold

If you’re confused, let’s clear things up. Here’s why you should never discard your pasta water:

• First, it’s a natural thickener. The starch helps bind and thicken sauces. It also helps the sauce stick to the pasta better. It’s used for this effect in this Brussels sprouts pasta.
• Second, it’s a flavor booster. All that salty water is a great way to add flavor to your pasta sauce.
• Third, it effortlessly combines ingredients like oil and water, or butter and cheese, to create a silky, creamy sauce.
• Fourth, it’s budget friendly because it does all the above while saving on cream and butter. You get a lot of creaminess without the added dairy. In some cases, this even means fewer calories.

When and how to use it

Before draining your pasta, always reserve at least a full cup of pasta water. It’s best to add pasta water while the sauce is hot and still cooking. This helps the starch emulsify properly with fats like oil, butter or cheese. Add just a splash at a time and stir vigorously to create a silky, cohesive texture. For cream-based or cheese-based sauces, like sun dried tomato pasta, pasta water should go in just before or as you toss in the pasta. For tomato sauces, add it as you’re simmering to mellow acidity and help it cling to the pasta.

What dishes to use it in

The best pasta sauces to use pasta water in are dishes with classic sauces, such as cacio e pepe, Alfredo sauce, pesto, tomato-based sauces like bolognese, or one-pot pastas or risottos.

But the number one dish you should always use pasta water for is pasta alla carbonara. The pasta water makes this entire dish. Never use regular water for carbonara.

Why you should use freshly boiled pasta water

The starch that gets released into the pasta water is the most effective right after boiling. Much of this is simply because sitting water allows the starch to settle to the bottom, separating from the water. 

Warm pasta water will blend more smoothly with fats such as oil, cheese or butter, especially in dishes like pasta alla gricia, where it helps the cheese become a creamy sauce. It also creates a glossier, more cohesive texture than cold water will. Fresh pasta water has the best flavor. Leftover water can lose its power to add taste to your sauce or dish.

When not to use pasta water

It’s best to avoid using pasta water if you over-salted it. For this reason, it’s always a safe bet to taste the pasta water before use, although you can dilute it with a bit more water if you really need to use it. You also don’t want to use this liquid gold if you overcooked the pasta. Overcooked pasta releases excess starch, which can make your sauce sticky or gluey.

Lastly, avoid it if you make a super light sauce. This will typically be something oil-based or herb-based, like this garlic shrimp bucatini. These types of sauces do not need the added effects of pasta water because it can make them feel heavier than needed.

Other uses for pasta water

Use leftover pasta water to boil your vegetables instead of regular water. This will add some flavor to your veggies from the salt, and it’s a smart way to conserve water. It will also help things like butter stick to the veggies better.

Add some of this water to soups or stews. While it won’t change them a lot, it does add a level of thickness and creaminess.

Non-culinary uses for pasta water

Believe it or not, there are plenty of uses for pasta water that don’t include making dinner. Here are five of them:

• Enjoy a mineralized foot soak. The minerals from the pasta water are good for your feet.
• Use it as a hair treatment. Massage some of the water into your scalp and let it sit for 15 minutes, then rinse and shampoo as usual.
• Water your plants. There is no need to waste this water when its minerals are great for the greenery around your house.
• Soak your dishes. If you have tough-to-remove, stubborn food and grease from your dishes, soak them in pasta water. It’s a natural degreaser.
• Make play-dough for the kids. Homemade play-dough is easily made with pasta water.

Stop pouring liquid gold down the drain

Now that you know how valuable pasta water can be, it’s time to stop discarding it carelessly. Try saving a cup next time you make pasta and see just how much you can level up your pasta night.

This article originally appeared on Food Drink Life.