How do you drain pasta so it doesn't stick?

Chef's answer
If you're not planning on draining your pasta, dousing it in sauce, and eating it right away, it's best to rinse your cooked noodles with cold water. This removes the starch, which is the main reason noodles stick. When you're ready to eat the noodles, make sure to reheat them with the sauce you're using.
Frequently asked Questions 🎓
The only way to know if it's done is to taste it! It should be al dente, or firm to the bite. The more pasta cooks, the gummier it gets, so if it sticks to the wall it's probably overdone.
When you use a pot that is too small and doesn't hold enough water, the pasta boils in the starch it releases, at concentrated levels. This makes your pasta slimy. ... When pasta is cooked in salt water, it absorbs the salt and helps to bring forth it's natural flavors..
Pour the boiling water over the rice noodles until they are completely submerged. Every minute or two, give the noodles a stir to loosen them up. When they are completely limp, give them a taste to see if they're cooked through.
Pre-soak the rice noodles in cold water for as long as you can, but at least 10 minutes. Then add them directly to hot broth and serve or into boiling water for about 2 minutes then drain to use. The trick is that they're never in the hot water for very long because they'll get mushy remarkably quickly..
In a 6- to 8-quart pan over high heat, bring 3 to 4 quarts water to a boil. Add rice noodles and stir to separate.
When that happens, there's little, if anything, you can do to fix it. You can sometimes resuscitate Pad Thai with tough and undercooked noodles by moistening it with a little water, covering it with plastic wrap, and giving it a minute or two in the microwave.
To prepare them, first soak them in cold water for 30 minutes and drain. Then bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. When you're ready to serve (not before), place the noodles, one portion at a time, into a sieve and lower it into the boiling water..
A few more cooking questions 📍