Not sure how much pasta to cook? This calculator tells you how much cooked pasta you’ll get from your uncooked amount—so you don’t end up with too little (or a mountain of leftovers).
Uncooked → Cooked Pasta Calculator
Pasta Guide: There are the approximate amount your uncooked pasta will multiply by once cooked: Spaghetti ~1.7×, penne/fusilli ~1.9×, macaroni ~2.0×.
FAQs
On average, 1 cup of uncooked pasta makes about 2 to 2 1/2 cups of cooked pasta. The exact yield depends on the shape and type of pasta. Small shapes like elbows expand a bit more than long noodles like spaghetti.
Most dry pasta roughly doubles in size and weight when cooked. So if you start with 1 cup of dry pasta, you’ll end up with around 2 cups of cooked pasta. Always keep this in mind when planning meals or following a recipe.
Yes, different shapes of pasta absorb water differently and have varied yields. Hollow shapes like penne or rotini tend to expand more than flat ones like fettuccine. Tiny shapes like orzo or couscous often look like more after cooking because they pack tightly.
A good rule is about 2 ounces of dry pasta per person, which is roughly 1 cup of cooked pasta. For heartier appetites or pasta as a main dish, you might want closer to 3 ounces. Measuring with a food scale can help if you want to be precise.
Use plenty of water—about 4 to 6 quarts per pound of dry pasta. This helps prevent sticking and allows the pasta to cook evenly. Adding salt is also a good idea to bring out the flavor.