Pasta Basics: Preparation

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Preparation: All Monterey Pasta Company pasta products have preparation instructions printed on the back label. Typically all of Monterey Pasta Company's pasta products are served boiled. To find additional preparation methods browse through our recipes (Coming Soon). Although each product has slightly different preparation instructions, you can use the chart below if you cannot locate the printed directions on your pasta package.

1. On a stovetop burner boil 3 to 4 quarts of water per 9 ounces of product to be cooked.
2. Add ½ teaspoon table salt to the boiling water (optional).
3. Add pasta to boiling water and reduce heat to provide a gentle boil.
4. Gently boil pasta for time based on type of pasta listed in the chart below.
   
   

   Pasta Type	Fresh	Frozen
   Fettucine \ Linguine	2-4 Minutes	4-6 Minutes
   Gnocchi	3-4 Minutes	5-6 Minutes
   Gnocchi	3-4 Minutes	5-6 Minutes
   Ravioli	4-5 Minutes	6-7 Minutes
   Tortellini	4-5 Minutes	6-7 Minutes
   Tortelloni	6-7 Minutes	8-9 Minutes
   Tortelloni Grandi	8-9 Minutes	10-11 Minutes

   
   
5. Once pasta is cooked to desired doneness, drain in a colander or other strainer and serve immediately.

For the best possible meal, we recommend that all Monterey Gourmet Foods tomato sauces, Alfredo sauces and soups are heated before serving.

Stove Top:

1. Remove lid and inner seal from container.
2. Pour contents of the container into a small pot or saucepan.
3. Heat the uncovered saucepan on medium-low heat until the sauce is warmed.
4. Be certain to stir constantly to keep from burning.

Microwave:

1. Shake container well.
2. Remove lid and inner seal from container.*
3. Loosely cover the top of the container with plastic wrap. DO NOT USE THE LID AS A COVER WHILE HEATING!
4. Place container on a microwave safe plate.
5. Microwave on high power for 1 minute.**
6. Remove sauce from microwave and stir thoroughly.
7. If the sauce is not yet warm enough replace the plastic wrap and repeat steps 3, 4 and 5 until sauce reaches your desired temperature.

* Failure to remove lid or inner seal from package before microwave cooking may result in property damage or injury.

** Microwave power wattage is not universal. Monitor sauce heating carefully to insure desired sauce temperature. Smaller sauce containers may require less cooking time.