Many people grew up hearing that you should never put pasta in soup. The reasoning was that the pasta would absorb all of the broth. But is this really true?
Does pasta need to be cooked before going in soup? No, pasta does not need to be cooked to be added to soups. It’s a common misconception that pasta needs to be cooked before going in soup. It is perfectly find for pasta go raw into soup with the other ingredients.
In reality, the cooking time for pasta is usually about 10 minutes.
Pasta only takes on flavors from the ingredients it comes into contact with, so if you cook your soup and add uncooked noodles at the end, they’ll still taste like plain noodles.
On the other hand, if you put them in when your soup starts simmering or boiling, they will pick up all of those delicious flavors and become a wonderful addition to your meal.
Let’s take a closer look.
What Are The Benefits of Cooking Pasta in the Soup?
Cooking pasta in soup has a few benefits and advantages. Some of the things that benefit from cooking pasta in soup include:
1. Pasta helps thicken the soup.
Pasta is made up of starch and as you know, starch thickens a liquid. When you cook pasta in your soup, the starches from the noodles will thicken it up nicely. If you’re looking for a very hearty meal that will stick to your ribs, this is a great way to go.
2. Pasta makes soup taste better/ Flavor boost
If you cook pasta in your soup, it will absorb all of the other flavors there including spices and herbs. All these flavors are going to meld together nicely while cooking that pasta in your soup. You’ll end up with a much more flavorful dish that’s even more delicious than if you had just added the cooked noodles at the end.
3. It’s a great way to stretch your meal/ Stretch you dollars
If you’re looking for ways to stretch your food dollar, adding pasta is an excellent option. You can easily find dry noodles in the grocery store that are under $1 per pound or even less than that if you buy them in bulk and cook up several pounds at once.
Could Pasta Thicken the Soup?
Yes, pasta can thicken the soup. The starches from the noodles will thicken it up nicely when cooked in the soup. If you’re looking for a hearty meal, this is a great way to go.
Not only do the noodles thicken up your soup, they add a lot of flavor as well.
How Long Does it Take for Pasta to Thicken Soup?
It typically takes about 20 minutes for pasta to thicken soup. However it depends on how you like your pasta doneness.
If you like it al dente, then cook for about 10 minutes. If you prefer it done, cook for about 15 minutes to 20 minutes.
Keep in mind that the longer you cook pasta in soup, the thicker it will become.
Just make sure to stir well when you first add the pasta to prevent the pasta from sticking together.
What are the cons of cooking pasta in the soup?
There are a few potential cons of cooking pasta in the soup. These include:
a. It can make the soup too thick.
If you are looking for a light soup, cooking pasta in it can make the soup too thick.
b. It can overcook the pasta.
If you cook your soup for a long time or even at a high temperature, the noodles may get over cooked and get mushy.
Will Uncooked Pasta Turn into Mush if Put in Soup?
No, uncooked pasta will not turn into mush if put in soup. Opinions concerning the ability of uncooked pasta to retain its integrity when added directly, without prior cooking, to soup vary widely.
Some people insist that this practice will produce a “mushy mess,” while others claim quite the opposite.
In reality, the consensus seems to be somewhere in between. While it is true that there are several varieties of pasta that are either too delicate or contain too high a starch content for this to be considered even remotely acceptable, there are several types of pasta which will hold up quite admirably under the conditions.
Final Thoughts
Do you love pasta and want a great way to make a quick meal using it. Simply cook your pasta right in your soup!
What could be easier? You’ll be rewarded with a delicious, satisfying meal that’s sure to become a family favorite.
You can’t beat the convenience of this option either. This way you avoid mushy pasta in your soup.
Just cook it up and mix it in with all your other ingredients for incredible results every time.