Most people know that a crucial step in making perfect pasta is to add salt to boiling cooking water. This is the only chance you get to season the noodles, and it makes a noticeable difference in how they taste. So, naturally, one would think that Olive Garden — the Italian food and pasta powerhouse chain — would consider this easy step second nature, but, oddly, the company disregards it completely.
Olive Garden confirmed that the decision not to salt its pasta water stemmed from the warranties on its cookware, per the Salt can erode materials over time, including cooking vessels, and using salt would essentially void the warranty. Some have argued that the company is putting its priorities over the overall guest experience by avoiding this quick and simple culinary rule, but the chain believes its sauces and other ingredients make up for the lack of salt in the pasta. And, truly, it seems like Olive Garden's clientele doesn't mind; after all, the company made over $5 billion in 2023, the highest revenue in its 41-year history, according to .
So, clearly, the lack of salt water isn't stopping with its pasta dishes. Salt is more than just seasoning Salted water isn't just for making sure cooked pasta tastes good; it also plays a part in maintaining the texture of the noodles. When pasta cooks in boiling water, it begins to break down and release starch.
This is why pasta water appears cloudy at the end of the cooking process. Salt actually prevents the pasta from breakin.