Pasta & Grain Water Ratio

Get perfect water ratios and cook times for pasta, rice, quinoa, oats, and more.

Grain / Pasta Type

Amount of Grain

Cooking Method

Water Needed

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Cook Time

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Yield (cooked)

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Grain / Pasta	Water Ratio	Cook Time	Yield
Dried Pasta	Large pot (6+ cups)	8–12 min	2×
White Rice	1 : 1.75	18 min	3×
Brown Rice	1 : 2	40–45 min	2.5×
Basmati Rice	1 : 1.5	15–18 min	3×
Jasmine Rice	1 : 1.5	15 min	3×
Wild Rice	1 : 3	45–55 min	3×
Quinoa	1 : 2	15 min	3×
Couscous	1 : 1	5 min (steam)	2×
Farro	1 : 2.5	25–30 min	2.5×
Pearl Barley	1 : 3	45 min	3.5×
Millet	1 : 2	20 min	3×
Bulgur	1 : 1.5	12 min	2.5×
Polenta	1 : 4	20–30 min	3.5×
Rolled Oats	1 : 2	5 min	2×
Steel-Cut Oats	1 : 4	25–30 min	4×
Green/Brown Lentils	1 : 2.5	20–30 min	2.5×
Red Lentils	1 : 2	15–20 min	2.5×

Pro tips:

Rinse rice and quinoa before cooking to remove excess starch.
Let rice rest off heat (lid on) for 5–10 min after cooking.
Pasta: use a large pot, salt the water generously — it should taste like the sea.
Altitude affects boil temperature — increase water slightly above 5,000 ft.