Number 7 will make Italians cry.
Let’s be honest: pasta is simple… until it isn’t.
You boil some water, throw in some noodles, add sauce — done, right?
WRONG.
In Italy, pasta is an art. A ritual. A national treasure.
And every time someone breaks it in half, oversauces it, or worse… adds ketchup… somewhere in Italy, a nonna faints.
So if you want to make pasta the right way, avoid these 10 pasta sins — and cook like you’re in a trattoria in Rome instead of a microwave in Minnesota.
❌ 1. Breaking the Spaghetti in Half
You do not break the spaghetti. Ever. It fits the pot. You just need patience. Let it soften and slide in naturally. Breaking it ruins the texture — and your soul.
❌ 2. Adding Oil to the Boiling Water
Somewhere, someone told you this stops the pasta from sticking. Nope. It just makes your pasta slippery and sauce-proof. Use salt, not oil.
❌ 3. Forgetting to Salt the Water
Pasta water should taste like the Mediterranean Sea. No salt = no flavor.
If you only remember one thing: salt early, salt well.
❌ 4. Overcooking the Pasta
Mushy pasta is a crime. Always aim for al dente — cooked but with a little bite. Check the package, but trust your teeth more than the clock.
❌ 5. Rinsing Pasta After Cooking
Unless you're making pasta salad (and even then...), never rinse your pasta. That lovely starch helps your sauce stick like a dream. Rinse = regret.
❌ 6. Saucing Pasta on the Plate Instead of in the Pan
Real Italian cooking means tossing your pasta with the sauce in the pan for the last 30–60 seconds. This way, it absorbs the flavor, not just wears it.
❌ 7. Drowning the Pasta in Sauce
Pasta is the star. Sauce is the co-star. Not the other way around. You want a light coating — not a bowl of soup.
❌ 8. Adding Cream to Carbonara
No. Just… no. The creamy texture of carbonara comes from eggs, cheese, and technique.
If there’s cream in it — it’s not carbonara. It’s a lie.
❌ 9. Using the Wrong Pasta Shape for the Sauce
Different pasta shapes exist for a reason.
Ragù loves tagliatelle. Pesto loves trofie. Creamy sauces love penne. Respect the pairings.
❌ 10. Eating Pasta with a Spoon (or Knife 😱)
Twirl with a fork. That’s it. No spoon assist. No cutting it up like steak. Be gentle. Be Italian.
🍽️ Want to Eat Pasta Like a True Local?
When you travel with Tour Guide Erik, we don’t just show you Italy — we let you taste it properly.
👨🍳 Join a pasta-making class with real nonne
🍷 Discover hidden trattorias with handmade tagliatelle
🍝 Learn the real carbonara in the heart of Rome
🔥 And yes, we’ll forgive your past mistakes (barely)
📲 Pasta Police, Reporting for Duty
Follow us on Instagram @baccotours for pasta tips, cooking fails, and all the sauce your algorithm can handle.
Because eating pasta right isn’t just a skill — it’s a lifestyle.
🍝 Cook it like an Italian, or don’t cook it at all.
