Cook rice like pasta for the easiest beginner method

Boil a large pot of salted water (like cooking pasta). Add rinsed rice, boil uncovered for 12-15 minutes for white rice (25-30 for brown) until tender, then drain in a fine-mesh strainer. Return to the empty pot, cover, and let steam for 5 minutes.

Why It Works

The pasta method eliminates the biggest source of rice failure: the water ratio. You use excess water, so the rice cannot burn or dry out. Draining removes extra starch for fluffier, less sticky grains.

Tips

• Taste-test rice like pasta — it should be tender with no chalky center
• This method works for every type of rice without needing to know specific water ratios
• The trade-off: slightly less flavorful since some starch washes away
• Great for rice salads and pilafs where separate grains are desired