Don't add oil to your pasta water

It’s not worth it.

The whole “add oil to prevent sticking” thing is a well-meaning myth. The oil just floats on top of the water while you boil the pasta, so it doesn’t actually coat the noodles until you drain them. By then, it’s too late to stop sticking—but it’s perfectly timed to ruin your sauce.

A slick of oil on the pasta means your sauce will slide right off. No adhesion. You end up with oily noodles and a puddle of sauce at the bottom of the bowl. Not the goal.

If you’re worried about sticking, use a big pot, stir the pasta right after dropping it in, and don’t overcook it. That’s all it takes.

Save the olive oil for finishing the dish.