How to Use a Pasta Insert for Perfect Pasta Every Time
By Made In Cookware - UK | Published: 2026-10-25
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to use a pasta insert to cook, strain, and serve pasta without draining or mess. Step-by-step guide with tips for perfect results.
Quick answer
A pasta insert lets you cook pasta directly in a stock pot, then lift it out to strain—no colander needed. Use it to save starchy pasta water for sauces and avoid messy pouring.
Why use a pasta insert instead of a colander?
A pasta insert, also called a pasta cooking basket or strainer insert, sits inside your stock pot while the pasta boils. When it's done, you lift the insert out and the water stays in the pot. This means you can reserve that starchy pasta water for thinning and emulsifying sauces—something a colander can't do without an extra bowl.
It also eliminates the risk of spilling boiling water when carrying a heavy pot to the sink. The insert handles the strain, so you only handle the cooked pasta.
Choosing the right pasta insert
Pasta inserts are not universal. The Made In Cookware Pasta Insert fits their 5.7 and 7.5 L stock pots, so check compatibility before buying. It's made from premium stainless steel with a removable design for easy cleaning. If you own a different brand's pot, measure the diameter first—most inserts require a pot rim that supports the handles.
How to cook pasta with a pasta insert
- 1. Fill and boil: Fill your stock pot with water—about 4–5 quarts for a pound of pasta. Add a generous pinch of salt once it reaches a rolling boil. Lower the pasta insert into the pot, then add your pasta. Don't add pasta before the water boils; it will stick and cook unevenly.
- 2. Stir and cook: Use a wooden spoon or tongs to stir the pasta immediately after adding it to prevent clumping. Cook according to package directions, stirring occasionally. The insert keeps pasta contained, so you don't need to fish pieces out. Set a timer 1–2 minutes before the suggested cook time—pasta continues cooking from residual heat.
- 3. Lift and drain: Grip the insert handles firmly and lift it straight up. Let the water drain back into the pot for a few seconds. The pasta stays in the basket, and the starchy water is ready to reserve for your sauce. Reserve about a cup of pasta water before draining completely if your recipe needs it.
- 4. Serve or transfer: Tip the pasta directly into a serving bowl or skillet. The insert's open design lets you toss pasta with sauce right in the basket if you prefer. Rinse the insert under hot water immediately to prevent starch from sticking. Do not rinse the pasta unless you're making a cold salad—rinsing removes starch that helps sauce cling.
Product facts
- Pasta Insert: Designed to simplify straining and minimize mess, the Pasta Insert ensures you'll never forget to save pasta water again. Removable Pasta Insert Fits 5.7 and 7.5 L Stock Pots. Premium Stainless Steel. Made in Thailand. It fits two popular stock pot sizes, so you can cook pasta for a small dinner or a large batch without switching tools.
Pasta Insert
