It’s a classic kitchen debate: rinse or don’t rinse? Some say rinsing pasta removes the sticky starch that causes clumping. That’s true — but for most hot dishes, rinsing is a mistake.

Why You Shouldn’t Rinse (Usually):
That surface starch helps sauces cling to noodles, creating a richer, more cohesive dish. Chefs like Lidia Bastianich and America’s Test Kitchen agree: skip the rinse for hot meals. Transfer pasta straight from water to sauce to lock in flavor and texture.