Dolmio chef shares top cooking tips - as Brits' 'crimes' against pasta unveiled

Brits have some peculiar ways of enjoying their pasta, including dousing penne in hot sauce and adding ketchup to spaghetti.

A survey of 2,000 adults revealed that while 46% believe it's a crime to eat pasta without sauce and for those who can't go without the sauce, one in six (16%) have used a tin of soup for lubrication. While other unconventional additions include barbecue sauce, curry sauce, and mustard.

The study was commissioned by Dolmio ahead of World Pasta Day on 25th October. Bart Kuzianik, chief sauce taster at Dolmio, spends over 30 hours a month perfecting pasta sauces.

He said: "What is pasta without the sauce? We're here to remind customers that tasty sauces needn't be a challenge."

According the research, Bolognese, tomato and basil and pesto were the most ‘go-to’ sauces, followed by carbonara and a cheese sauce. Cheese, chicken, beef or pork were the most frequent pairings, while spaghetti was a clear winner when it came to pasta choice.

Kuzianik adds, "There’s a true art and science to finding the perfect harmony of ingredients, whether it's classic tomato and basil, something spicy, or a creamy concoction.”

So how should we be cooking our pasta? Read on for Kuzianik's top tips.

"Never serve pasta on the side. Always mix your pasta in with the mince and sauce before serving. This ensures that the pasta is coated in all those delicious flavours, giving you a perfect bite every time," he explains.

"Pasta water is actually magic" he says, "Here's a secret: save a splash of pasta water before draining. Stirring it into the sauce helps create a silky-smooth texture, making the Bolognese even more delicious."

To finalise the dish: "Cheese can completely transform the dish. Pecorino packs a punch with its bold, aggressive flavour, while Parmigiano adds a rich, savoury touch. Mix and match for the ultimate cheesy showdown!"

TOP 10 UNCONVENTIONAL MAKESHIFT PASTA SAUCE ALTERNATIVES:

1. Melted butter
2. Ketchup
3. Hot sauce
4. Soy sauce
5. Mayonnaise
6. Tin of soup
7. BBQ sauce
8. Curry sauce (e.g. Korma, Tikka)
9. Tin of beans
10. Mustard

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