How to Measure Cooked Pasta

Co-authored by Abyssinia Campbell and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: June 18, 2024 References

According to the USDA, 2 ounces of dry pasta is the recommended serving size for an adult. If you’ve already prepared your noodles, you may be wondering how you can measure out an accurate serving of cooked pasta! Don’t worry—with a measuring cup or digital scale, you can easily measure out exact servings. If you aren’t looking for a precise measurement, there are several simple ways to determine an approximate serving of cooked pasta.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Measuring Precise Portions

Download Article

1
Measure out 1 cup (140 g) of cooked spaghetti for a large serving. Take a standard measuring cup and fill it to the brim with cooked noodles. If you’d prefer to be more precise, place the noodles in a small container and rest them on a food scale. Continue adjusting the portion until the scale reads 140 g. ^{[1]
X
Research source}
- For those looking to have a smaller portion, measure out ½ cup (70 g) of long pasta instead.
- If you want to be extra thorough, check the nutrition facts on the pasta box to see what the suggested serving size is.
2
Prepare 1⅛ cup (220 g) of elbow or shell pasta to make 1 large portion. Scoop out a standard cup (200 g) of elbow or shell noodles into a separate container, then add in an extra ⅛ cup (20 g) of pasta. ^{[2]
X
Research source} Aim to use a digital scale whenever you measure food, as these devices are easier to read and monitor. When you do this, try placing your pasta into a separate bowl or container and placing it on a food scale and comparing the measurement to the listed portion on the pasta box. ^{[3]
X
Research source}
- If you’re looking to have a smaller, kid-sized portion, measure out a heaping ½ cup (110 g) of noodles. ^{[4]
  X
  Research source}
Advertisement
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1f\/Measure-Cooked-Pasta-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Measure-Cooked-Pasta-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1f\/Measure-Cooked-Pasta-Step-3.jpg\/aid11419739-v4-728px-Measure-Cooked-Pasta-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\">\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. \n<\/p> \n<\/p><\/div>"}

3
Measure out 1¼ cup (250 g) of penne, rigatoni, or ziti to get a large serving. Scoop about 1 cup (200 g) of larger short-cut noodles into a separate bowl or container, then add another ¼ cup (50 g) into the serving. If you’d like to double-check your servings, place the portion of pasta onto a digital food scale. Check the reading by comparing it to the portion size listed in grams on the side of the pasta box. ^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Since these pasta types might not pack evenly into a single cup, it might be useful to measure them by weight.
- For those looking to eat a smaller portion, split that amount of pasta in half (125 g).