A2Phrase
al dente
al dente (firm to the bite)
/al DEN-teh/
Test Yourself
What does ‘al dente’ mean in English?
Examples in Context
In Italia si cuoce la pasta al dente — mai scotta.
In Italy pasta is cooked al dente — never overcooked.
L'al dente non è solo una preferenza, è una regola della cucina italiana.
Al dente is not just a preference, it is a rule of Italian cooking.
About This Word
Literally 'to the tooth'. Overcooking pasta is considered a serious culinary offence in Italy.
Related Words
pastacotturabollirescolatotempo