Here is a basic method for boiling pasta. Some people may be surprised that details like how much water to use and whether to add salt are important, but this version uses easy-to-remember amounts, so it is simple to learn. Boiling pasta properly with enough salt makes a real difference in the finished dish. Salt lightly seasons the pasta and helps tighten the noodles, and the flavor changes depending on how much you add, so try finding the amount you like best.