To determine if spaghetti is undercooked, you can use the following indicators:
Texture: Undercooked spaghetti will be firm and have a noticeably chewy or hard texture. It won't be as tender or soft as properly cooked pasta. Take a small bite and check if it feels excessively firm or starchy.
Color: While cooking, spaghetti undergoes a transformation from a pale, uncooked appearance to a cooked, vibrant color. Undercooked spaghetti may still retain a slightly opaque or lighter color in the center, indicating that it hasn't fully cooked.
Taste: The taste of undercooked spaghetti can be starchy or raw, lacking the pleasant cooked pasta flavor. It may be noticeably different from the desired al dente texture.
Resistance when pressed: Undercooked spaghetti will offer resistance when pressed with a fork or between your teeth. If you find it difficult to pierce the pasta easily, it likely needs more cooking time.
To avoid serving undercooked spaghetti, follow the cooking instructions on the package and test the pasta for doneness as you approach the recommended cooking time. It's better to slightly undercook the pasta and allow it to finish cooking in the sauce (if using) or with a brief rest in hot water, rather than serving it undercooked.