Rice Pasta Woes

[sarahzona]

How come when ever I try to cook rice pasta for mac and cheese it turns into mush?

Thanks for your help!!

Sarah

[MaryJones2]

It might be the brand (some hold up better than others) or you could be cooking it too long. I use Tinkyada and find that it only needs to be cooked for 6-8 minutes and not the 15-18 minutes recommended on the package.

[Takala]

Because you are overcooking it and then not rinsing it thoroughly in a colander before putting it in the casserole dish.

[GottaSki]

We wait for a hard rolling boil then cook for the minimum time on directions...we add olive oil to the water and rinse the pasta thoroughly with hot water before eating or adding to cassarole.

Good Luck!

[Pegleg84]

yeah, definitely have to be careful not to overcook it. You want it on the firm side of al dente, i guess. For rinsing, i recommend putting the pasta in a collander, hold it over the pot (in the sink of course), and run water over the pasta and into the pot, emptying it when it gets full. Once the water runs clear, it should be good.

good luck with your mac and cheese.

[Juliebove]

I use Tinkyada. Bring heavily salted water to the boil, add the pasta, then stir and set the timer for 2 minutes less than what the package says is the recommended cooking time. Take one piece out when the timer goes off. Run it under cold water to cool it, then taste. As soon as it is just barely done, drain it well. I don't bother to rinse mine.

[Ginsou]

I also use Tinkyada, and it has never failed me. You must follow directions exactly as the replies on this forum suggest. "Mush" means that you have overcooked it. Rinsing pasta in cold water after cooking stops the cooking process, so that it doesn't get mushy. I also take one strand of pasta out just before the cooking time is up, and test it. You must also use a large pot.....you can't cram the pasta into a too small pot, and the water must be a rolling boil, as suggested.

I've also cooked corn pasta with great results.

[JNBunnie1]

Also, if you're boiling and then baking, you need to underdo it by 3-5 min than the directed time because it will cook more in the oven. My favorite mac n cheese is to bake dry pasta with cheese on top and lots of milk poured over.