1. Fill a large pot with water.
2. Put the pot on the stove and turn the heat to high.
3. When the water boils, add 1 tablespoon of salt.
4. Pour in the pasta and stir once.
5. Turn the heat down so the water still bubbles.
6. Cook for 8–12 minutes (check the package). Stir sometimes so the pasta does not stick.
7. Taste one piece. If it is soft but a little firm, it is ready.
8. Turn off the heat and put a colander in the sink.
9. Pour the pasta into the colander to drain. Keep it away from your body.
10. Add sauce or olive oil and mix. Serve and be careful—hot steam can burn.
Level: A1
Cook Pasta on the Stove
Kitchen steps; times and safety.
CEFR A1 · 121 words · ~1 min read · US English
🔊 Listen to this passage
📖 Open in interactive ESL Reader →
In the reader, tap any word or sentence to hear it in English, translate it, or look up a definition.
Words to know
- stove
- the kitchen machine with a hot top for cooking food
- boils
- to get very hot and make bubbles
- tablespoon
- a large spoon used to measure an amount
- stir
- to move food around with a spoon
- package
- the box or bag that food comes in
- colander
- a bowl with holes for taking water out of food
- drain
- to let the water run out of the food
- olive
- a small green or black fruit used to make cooking oil
Check your understanding
-
What do you do first?
Show answer
Fill a large pot with water — Step 1 says fill a large pot with water.
-
When do you add the salt?
Show answer
When the water boils — Step 3 says when the water boils, add 1 tablespoon of salt.
-
You cook the pasta for 8 to 12 minutes.
Show answer
True — Step 6 says cook for 8 to 12 minutes and check the package.
← More How-To & Instructions · All reading practice