For Creamy Pasta Without Extra Ingredients, Cook It Like Risotto

Pasta is a comfort food that is hard not to love, especially after a long day. But sometimes even though we follow the recipe and add all the ingredients, the dish still doesn't turn out as rich and creamy as we want it to be. But that doesn't necessarily mean you need to start ladling cream and butter into your noodles. Instead, there is a simple method that can make your meal creamier without adding any additional items. 

This technique, which is known as pasta risottata, is the best way to achieve a more luscious dish. But if you're wondering how this could be possible, chances are you've probably experienced it through another classic Italian dish. The risottata process involves cooking the pasta closely to how you would cook risotto. Instead of boiling the noodles in a large pot of water and draining it afterward, you cook them in a smaller amount of liquid and let it absorb all the liquid while stirring constantly.

To cook risottata style, choose a large, deep skillet or pot with a lid. Add the noodles and enough liquid to just cover the top of the pasta. Bring the liquid to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Cook the dish, stirring frequently, until the liquid has been absorbed and the noodles are tender. Ultimately, the key to this technique is constant stirring. As you stir the pasta, you release the starch from the noodles, which helps to create a creamy sauce. It will also absorb the liquid more slowly, allowing it to cook evenly and absorb more flavor from the liquid.

Once the pasta is cooked, you can add your desired sauce or toppings. However, you'll find that your meal is already quite creamy on its own. You'll also notice that the dish has a more velvety texture than when it's cooked traditionally. So by cooking the pasta in a smaller amount of liquid and stirring constantly, you'll achieve a more luscious and plump texture that will make your Italian-inspired dishes even more satisfying. Give it a try and impress your guests with your new and improved pasta-making skills.