Pasta

[TreeNinja]

The choice is up to you. But I suggest 1/4 teaspoon of salt per 1/2 cup of water to make sure your pasta doesn't stick together or to the pot.

Cover with the sauce and meatballs and enjoy with cheese to top or by itself. :)

[hoodedrobin]

Salt does not stop pasta from sticking together... However it does season the water. And allows the water to reach a higher boiling point.

And the only reason for people to add olive oil to their pasta water is to breat the waters surface tension.

[AriaStar]

I've add a little oil to water to keep it from sticking and it seems to helps some.

[Farva]

Salt does not stop pasta from sticking together... However it does season the water. And allows the water to reach a higher boiling point.

Finally someone else knows why you add salt to the water... It speeds up the cooking time.

[mauser6863]

Coat the top 2" of the pot with a layer of Olive Oil. This barrier will break the surface tension of the water and you can actually boil the water and never have to worry about the starchy water leaving the pot and spilling on the stove.