Rinsing pasta after cooking has long sparked debate. Is it necessary—or just outdated? “To me, unrinsed pasta just felt wrong,” one writer confesses after watching their partner serve sticky spaghetti. But as it turns out, skipping the rinse may be smarter than it seems.

Why People Rinse Pasta

Rinsing removes surface starch, which some believe prevents clumping. It’s especially helpful in cold pasta dishes. “Cold water cools the pasta quickly and gives you a clean canvas” for salads or stir-fries. It also stops cooking and reduces excess salt.

When You Shouldn’t Rinse

For hot dishes, rinsing can actually backfire. “Starch isn’t the enemy. It acts like glue, binding your sauce” to the noodles. Washing it away leaves pasta slippery and flavorless. Experts recommend skipping the rinse and letting pasta finish in the sauce. “The pasta finishes cooking in the sauce, it absorbs flavor and releases starch,” creating a richer texture.

Expert Tips and Final Verdict

Common mistakes include too little water, no salt, or overcooking. But rinsing hot pasta tops the list. Lidia Bastianich advises: “Don’t rinse pasta for hot meals. The starch is essential.” America’s Test Kitchen agrees: unrinsed pasta delivers better flavor and consistency.

Conclusion: Rinse pasta only when needed—like for cold dishes. For hot meals, “let the starch stay.” Great pasta comes from understanding your ingredients and technique, not following rigid rules.