Al Dente

« Back to Glossary Index"Al dente" is an Italian term used to describe pasta that is cooked to be firm to the bite, but not hard or raw. It means "to the tooth" in English. When pasta is cooked al dente, it should be tender on the outside but still have a slight resistance or firmness in the center. This texture is achieved by cooking the pasta for a shorter amount of time than if it were fully cooked. Al dente pasta is ideal for dishes where the pasta will be further cooked or baked, such as in a casserole or lasagna.« Back to Glossary Index