Oil in the water when making pasta?

Question

I heard you shouldn't put oil in the water when making pasta. Is this true? If so, why?

Answer 1

Oil is optional... it does NOT help with sticking pasta or flavoring pasta.

The only purpose the oil has is to prevent excessive foaming when you cook.

Also, another myth with cooking pasta... Salt does not raise the water temperature high enough to make the difference.  Instead of boiling at 212F it's boiling at 212.7F.  That is not going to do much.  Salt in the water  will actually help season the pasta since a small amount of salty water is aborbed into the pasta.

Answer 2

not true...   it keeps the pasta from sticking.

also using a  little salt will do the same trick.

but keeping tabs on the pasta (of all kinds)  is the best medicine for keeping that stuff from getting glued together.

Answer 3

I have always heard you should not put oil in the pasta if you are going to be adding a sauce to it.  If you add oil to the pasta then the sauce won't adhere to the pasta properly.    

This is what I found on: http://www.recipetips.com/kitchen-tips/t...

Variations:

Oil in Water - It is sometimes suggested to add a little oil to the cooking water to help prevent the pasta from sticking together. Most experts advise against doing this because the oil will coat the pasta and prevent the sauce from sticking to it. Only use oil when cooking sheets of pasta such as lasagne, which have more of a tendency to stick together.

Answer 4

just oil the pan

there is an OLD WIVES TALE the oil will keep the pasta from absorbing the sauce and spice

AS you please

More Fractured Physiology (pun from rocky & bulwinkle"s fractured history)

Answer 5

You can put PAM when making pasta as it doesn't stick to the pot.

It makes your pasta better to cook.

Answer 6

actually, people usually put some oil in the water

to prevent the pasta from sticking together.

people also use a little bit of salt,

which does the same thing.

Answer 7

im not sure y but yeah thats  how my mamma makes it!

Answer 8

The Italians DO NOT put oil in the water and they should know how to make pasta.

Answer 9

I put oil in the water all the time. Not a lot but about a tablespoon  per 2 qts.

Answer 10

While it's a common practice for many ; you really shouldn't put oil in the water when cooking spaghetti. It will definitely keep the noodles from sticking but the downfall is that the oil creates an invisible barrier which prevents the pasta from fully absorbing the sauce. Your result is not a truly blended pasta dish. The sauce becomes more like a blanket rather than being infused with the noodle.

However, don't take our word for it. Try both ways and see what you think.

Personally, I just salt the water which works well.

Answer 11

I always add a little olive oil in the boiled water while the pasta is cooking.  It prevents the pasta from sticking together.  I never add salt tho.   My ex was Italian & yes he would add a little olive oil to the boiling water.

Answer 12

Yes you can add the oil to your pasta water, it will keep the pasta from sticking and add your salt after it has come to a boil b/c salt brings down the temperature of the water.

Answer 13

Oil and water separate.  Putting oil in the pasta water is just a waste of oil.  It does absolutely nothing.  Still people out there continue to do it.  

Answer 14

water will boil faster