What Is the Best Way to Fit Spaghetti in a Small Pot?

Faith Durand
Faith DurandSVP of Content
Faith is the SVP of Content at Apartment Therapy Media and former Editor-in-Chief of The Kitchn. She is the author of three cookbooks, including the James Beard Award-winning The Kitchn Cookbook. She lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband and two daughters.
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published Oct 29, 2010
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Q: I have been looking online to see how other people fit their spaghetti in a pot. I have two 6-quart pots, but their diameter is just under 10 inches, and the pasta measures 10 inches long. It’s hard to find a large pot with a diameter of over 10 inches.

After reading some comments, it seems people put the pasta in with the ends sticking out and then push it in as the pasta softens. Is that how it works? Never thought of pushing in after softening, but it makes sense. I apologize to all Italians for having broken up my spaghetti for so many years — I hear it’s one of the worst things one can do to spaghetti — I will change my ways.

Sent by Monica

Editor: Monica, this reminds us of this question from another reader:

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How Should I Cook Really Big Pasta?

Readers, do you have tips for Monica? How and when do you coax your pasta into the water? Do you do it bit by bit, or do you wait until halfway through the cooking time, and push it all in at once?

Next question?

Related: Quick Tip: The Best Way to Cook Pasta

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