Do You Really Need to Add Oil to Pasta Cooking Water?

"Pasta Perplexity: Does Olive Oil Really Prevent Noodles from Sticking? For years, home cooks have been adding a splash of olive oil to their pasta cooking water in the hopes of preventing those pesky noodles from sticking together. But does this age-old trick actually work? In a surprising new study, a team of researchers put this common technique to the test, and the results may just change the way you cook pasta forever. From the science behind pasta sticking to a game-changing alternative method for keeping strands separate, this study sheds new light on the art of cooking the perfect pasta dish. Will olive oil be the secret to your next culinary masterpiece, or is there a better way to achieve perfectly cooked noodles?"

We tested whether adding olive oil to pasta cooking water actually prevents noodles from sticking. Here’s what we found — plus a better method for keeping strands separate.