What method do you use to see if your pasta is done?

If you're using dry pasta, follow the instructions on the box but subtract out about a minute or two depending on how al dente you like it. I usually do about two minutes less and allow the pasta to cook in the sauce while in the frying pan.

If you're doing fresh, home-made pasta, it's anywhere from 1.5 to 2 minutes. For spaghetti, it's about 1.5 minutes. Angel hair is about a minute. Fettucine is about 2 minutes. Also, they say fresh pasta is ready when it starts to float in the boiling water.

Note, for both dry and fresh pasta, I start the time when the water starts to boil again after I put the pasta into the boiling water. Hence, it's always important to use a very large stock pot with A LOT of water when making pasta. That way, when you put in the pasta, it doesn't take too long for the water to "boil" again.

By the way, I just made me some fresh spaghetti a few minutes ago. I'm making cacio e pepe tonight to go with the pork loin (Julia Childs' recipe with the dry salt marinade which I've been marinading since Thu) I'm doing a little later.