How Long to Cook Spaghetti
Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and drop your spaghetti in for 8 to 12 minutes. The boiling water is an especially important component if you're cooking freshly made spaghetti because it's made with eggs so the hot water will keep your noodles from becoming mushy or disintegrating while it cooks. This is less important when cooking boxed spaghetti, but boiling water will create a better texture for your pasta than cold water will.
If you're not sure if your spaghetti is fully cooked, take a moment to test it first to make sure it's cooked to your liking. Al dente is the preferred pasta texture, meaning your spaghetti is tender, but with a firm bite. Allowing it to cook any longer means you run the risk of your noodles becoming tasteless and mushy.