When You Boil Pasta, Don’t Throw Out That Cloudy Water—Here’s Why!

When you're boiling pasta, you may wonder about the cloudy, starchy, mineral-rich water left behind. That residue actually means the leftover pasta water can be useful in more than one way. If you know how to use it, it can be a practical asset in your kitchen. So instead of pouring it down the drain, save it—it’ll save you time and water too!

Dubai – Lina Al Hourani

Here's what you can do with that cloudy pasta water:

1. Use It to Cook Rice or Other Grains

While using leftover pasta water to cook another batch of pasta might make it a bit sticky, it's great for cooking rice later in the week. (Just store it in a sealed container in the fridge for a few days.) It adds flavor and starch to plain grains. You can use less salt in your rice since the water already contains some. If you like sticky rice with a bold texture, this method is perfect.

2. Use It in Pizza Dough for a Crispier Crust

Make pasta first, then save the water for pizza dough the next day. Replace regular water with pasta water—it’s full of starch, which helps you get a golden, crispy crust. Combine all-purpose flour, cornmeal, kosher salt, a bit of sugar, instant yeast, butter, and warm pasta water. Let the dough rise (twice) in the fridge for best results. You’ll end up with a crispy edge and a chewy, delicious base.

3. Soak Legumes to Make Them Softer and More Digestible

Legumes can be hard to digest if not cooked properly. To make dried beans softer and easier on the stomach, soak them in leftover pasta water with a bay leaf or two. The salty water helps soften the pectin in bean skins, allowing them to absorb water faster and cook to a creamy texture without splitting.

4. Steam Vegetables with It

Want to save energy and water? Use hot pasta water to steam vegetables. It brings water to a boil faster, making steaming quicker. Steaming also helps retain more nutrients compared to boiling.

5. Add It to Soups and Stews as a Natural Thickener

Chefs often use pasta water in broths because it's a natural thickener thanks to its starch content. It saves you from having to mix cornstarch separately, and it won’t clump up if added to hot liquid gradually. It enhances the texture and flavor of soups and stews.

6. Use It to Thin Out Sauces Without Diluting Flavor

Need to loosen up thick sauces like pesto or frozen condiments? Don’t add plain water—it dilutes the taste. Use pasta water instead. It's flavorful and starchy, helping sauces stay rich and smooth. Warm it up before adding and mix in small amounts for perfect consistency.

7. Use It to Clean Dirty Dishes

Sounds odd, but pasta water (especially when hot) can help break down greasy residue and starchy gunk on your dishes. Just soak your dishes in it before scrubbing or loading them into the dishwasher. It saves water and makes cleaning easier.

8. Make Homemade Play Dough

If you’re making homemade play dough, pasta water is a great substitute for cornstarch or tap water. It adds starch and minerals that make the dough soft and pliable. Try this edible play dough recipe:

• 1½ cups flour

• 1 cup salt

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• ¼ cup cream of tartar (or substitute with pasta water)

• 2 cups pasta water

It makes a flexible, non-sticky dough. Store it in an airtight container to prevent drying.

9. Use It as a Hair Rinse for Shine and Strength

Like rice water, pasta water can benefit your hair. It contains starch and B vitamins (like riboflavin) that promote healthy hair and scalp. Use it as a rinse after shampooing—start at the roots and leave it on for 20–30 minutes before rinsing out. It may also work as a gentle exfoliant for your scalp.

10. Soak Your Feet in It to Relax

If you don’t have Epsom salt, pasta water works well for a soothing foot soak. It contains sodium and other minerals with relaxing properties. While still warm, soak your feet in it to ease soreness after a long day.

11. Water Your Plants with It (When Cooled)

Cooled pasta water can be used to water plants—it contains nutrients like calcium, iron, riboflavin, niacin, and thiamin. Plus, the starch provides an energy source for plants. It’s a natural, chemical-free fertilizer. Just make sure the water has no salt or has very low salt content if used on plants.

How to Store Pasta Water

• Let it cool completely.

• Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

• Label it clearly and use it promptly.

• For longer storage, freeze it in ice cube trays for easy portioning—2 cubes are usually enough for sauces or stews.