For dried pasta, boil it about 7–14 minutes , but the exact time depends on the shape and thickness. Most spaghetti and similar long pasta are usually done in 8–10 minutes for al dente, while fresh pasta only needs 1–3 minutes.

Quick guide

  • Spaghetti, linguine, tagliatelle: about 8–10 minutes
  • Thicker or shorter shapes, like penne or bows: about 10–12 minutes
  • Very thick dried pasta: can take up to 14 minutes
  • Fresh pasta: about 1–3 minutes

Best way to tell

Start tasting it near the end of the package time, because pasta can go from firm to overcooked fast. A good rule is to cook dried pasta 1 minute less than the package says , then finish it in sauce if needed.

Simple method

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
  2. Add the pasta and stir.
  3. Taste it near the expected finish time.
  4. Drain when it’s tender but still has a little bite.

TL;DR: Most pasta takes 8–12 minutes ; spaghetti is usually 8–10 minutes , and fresh pasta is much faster.