# Pasta cooking times

How long to cook pasta: **8–12 min boiled, 25–30 min in the oven at 190°C (170°C fan), 10–12 min in the microwave and 4–5 min in a pressure cooker**. Every way to cook it is below, with the temperature and how to tell it’s done.

Source: https://feastflow.co.uk/pasta-cooking-times (FeastFlow free cooking-time guides). Last checked 11 November 2026.

## How long to cook pasta

Times are for 75–100 g dry pasta per person.

Pasta: cooking times by method:

| Method | Time | Heat | How |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Boil](https://feastflow.co.uk/boiling-times) (Dried) | 8–12 min | in plenty of boiling salted water | Dried pasta; check the pack. Spaghetti about 10, penne 10–12, macaroni 8. |
| [Boil](https://feastflow.co.uk/boiling-times) (Fresh) | 2–4 min | in plenty of boiling salted water | Fresh pasta and filled pasta like ravioli. Gnocchi is done when it floats, about 2 minutes. |
| [Oven](https://feastflow.co.uk/oven-cooking-times) (Baked) | 25–30 min | 190°C (170°C fan), 375°F, gas 5 | A baked pasta or lasagne of cooked or fresh pasta, until bubbling; a lasagne with dried sheets takes 40–45 minutes. |
| [Microwave](https://feastflow.co.uk/microwave-cooking-times) (Dried) | 10–12 min | on full power | Dried pasta covered with boiling water in a large bowl, stirring halfway. |
| [Pressure cooker](https://feastflow.co.uk/pressure-cooker-cooking-times) (Dried) | 4–5 min | on high pressure | Half the time on the pack, with just enough liquid to cover; quick release. |

## Before you start

Use a big pan of boiling water with a good tablespoon of salt per 4 litres. Start timing when the water comes back to the boil.

## How to tell it’s done

Al dente: tender with a little bite in the middle. Start tasting a minute before the time on the pack.

## Questions

### How long to boil pasta?

Dried: 8–12 min in plenty of boiling salted water. Dried pasta; check the pack. Spaghetti about 10, penne 10–12, macaroni 8. Fresh: 2–4 min in plenty of boiling salted water. Fresh pasta and filled pasta like ravioli. Gnocchi is done when it floats, about 2 minutes.

### How long to cook pasta in the oven?

Baked: 25–30 min at 190°C (170°C fan), 375°F, gas 5. A baked pasta or lasagne of cooked or fresh pasta, until bubbling; a lasagne with dried sheets takes 40–45 minutes.

### How long to microwave pasta?

Dried: 10–12 min on full power. Dried pasta covered with boiling water in a large bowl, stirring halfway.

### How long to cook pasta in a pressure cooker?

Dried: 4–5 min on high pressure. Half the time on the pack, with just enough liquid to cover; quick release.

---

Times are a guide for typical home portions: ovens, air fryers, microwaves and sizes vary. Check meat, poultry and fish with a thermometer. Safe temperatures follow USDA and UK Food Standards Agency guidance.

FeastFlow also plans a whole meal backwards from serving time, with every dish timed and oven temperatures that don’t clash: https://feastflow.co.uk/