How to Measure a Serving Size of Spaghetti

When cooking pasta, it can be tempting to just eyeball a spaghetti portion size rather than measuring the noodles out carefully. But you sometimes need exact amounts of pasta—like if you’re following a recipe, trying to perfect your sauce-to-pasta ratio, hosting a dinner party, or sticking to a certain diet. No matter the reason, there are many quick and easy methods to measure out the perfect serving of spaghetti for one or more people!

Measuring a Spaghetti Serving

A single serving of spaghetti is 2 ounces (56g) of dry pasta per person. To measure a serving of spaghetti, make a quarter-sized circle with your thumb and forefinger. Fit dry spaghetti noodles through that hole until no more can fit—that’s a perfect serving size of spaghetti!

Section 1 of 7:

How to Measure Spaghetti with Your Fingers

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/08\/Measure-Spaghetti-Step-6-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Measure-Spaghetti-Step-6-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/08\/Measure-Spaghetti-Step-6-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Measure-Spaghetti-Step-6-Version-5.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>"}
Fit a serving of spaghetti through a quarter-sized hole in your fingers. Make a circle with your thumb and pointer finger. Adjust the size of the circle until it’s about the size of a bottle cap or U.S. quarter. Place the dry spaghetti noodles through your fingers until the circle is filled. Whatever fits is a single serving of spaghetti! ^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Repeat this process for however many servings of spaghetti you’d like to cook.

Section 2 of 7:

How to Measure Spaghetti with a U.S. Quarter

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b1\/Measure-Spaghetti-Step-4-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Measure-Spaghetti-Step-4-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b1\/Measure-Spaghetti-Step-4-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Measure-Spaghetti-Step-4-Version-4.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>"}
Compare the size of a small bunch of noodles to a U.S. quarter. A single serving of spaghetti, when bunched into a circle, has a diameter of ⁷ ⁄ ₈ inch (22 mm)—same as a U.S. quarter. ^{[2]
X
Research source} If you have one of those coins around, gather a small bunch of spaghetti and line it up on top of a quarter. Add noodles until the quarter is completely blocked by the spaghetti, but not more than fits on top.
- Place this measured pasta in a pot and repeat the process for any additional servings.

Section 3 of 7:

How to Measure Spaghetti with a Soda Bottle

Download Article

Fit a serving of noodles through the top of a 1-liter soda bottle. Stand the bottle upright on a table and place a small amount of noodles into the bottle. You should continue to hold the noodles so they don't spread out and mess up the measurement. Add more spaghetti until the bottle's opening is filled in. ^{[3]
X
Research source}
- One bottle-cap’s worth of spaghetti is approximately equal to one serving. Repeat this process if you want to make multiple servings.
- If you like this method but don't want to have an empty soda bottle taking up your counter space, cut off the top of the bottle and keep it in a drawer.

Section 4 of 7:

How to Measure Spaghetti with a Scale

Download Article

Weigh out 2 ounces (57 g) of dry spaghetti on a kitchen scale. Take some dry spaghetti out of the box and place it on your kitchen scale . Note what the initial measurement is, then add or remove pasta to reach the amount of servings you want—which should be 2 ounces (57 g) of spaghetti per person. ^{[4]
X
Trustworthy Source
US Food and Drug Administration
U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health
Go to source}
- If you’re hosting a pasta dinner for 4 people, for example, weigh out 8 ounces (230 g) of spaghetti.

Section 5 of 7:

How to Measure Spaghetti with a Pasta Spoon

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b5\/Measure-Spaghetti-Step-1-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Measure-Spaghetti-Step-1-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b5\/Measure-Spaghetti-Step-1-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Measure-Spaghetti-Step-1-Version-5.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>"}

Put a small amount of dry spaghetti through the hole in the middle of the spoon. Add more noodles until the pasta spoon’s hole is completely filled. Once filled, release the spaghetti into the pot. Repeat as necessary to make more than one serving of spaghetti. ^{[5]
X
Research source}

Section 6 of 7:

How to Measure Spaghetti with a Pasta Measure Tool

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c5\/Measure-Spaghetti-Step-3-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Measure-Spaghetti-Step-3-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c5\/Measure-Spaghetti-Step-3-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Measure-Spaghetti-Step-3-Version-5.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>"}
Use the pre-measured holes in a spaghetti measure tool. Take a small amount of dry spaghetti out of the box and put it through the hole that matches the number of servings you want to make. Add spaghetti noodles to fill the hole completely and find your spaghetti portion size for any number of people. ^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Spaghetti measure tools are small devices with various-sized holes cut into them.
- Each hole equals a different number of servings (typically from 1-4), which makes it easy to measure spaghetti per person!

Section 7 of 7:

How to Use Leftover Spaghetti

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0a\/Measure-Spaghetti-Step-7-Version-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Measure-Spaghetti-Step-7-Version-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0a\/Measure-Spaghetti-Step-7-Version-7.jpg\/v4-728px-Measure-Spaghetti-Step-7-Version-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"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>"}

1
Freeze leftover spaghetti in a sealed bag for up to a month. If you ended up cooking more servings of spaghetti than you needed, place the extra portions of pasta (with or without sauce) into a freezer bag. Make sure the cooked pasta has completely cooled to room temperature before placing it into the bag. Eat the pasta within one month of freezing it. ^{[7]
X
Research source}
- When you’re ready to eat the pasta, place the freezer bag into a bowl of warm water to thaw.
- Once it’s thawed enough to remove it from the bag, place the defrosted pasta into a pan and warm it over gentle heat.
- After a few minutes, your spaghetti will be ready to eat!
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c6\/Measure-Spaghetti-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Measure-Spaghetti-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c6\/Measure-Spaghetti-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Measure-Spaghetti-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"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>"}

2
Repurpose leftover spaghetti into a frittata. To make frittata di spaghetti , a popular southern Italian dish, mix every 8 ounces (230 g) of leftover spaghetti with about 4 eggs and ½ cup (50g) of your preferred grated cheese. Pour the mixture evenly into a nonstick skillet. Cook for about 8 minutes or until the bottom of your frittata is set, then flip it onto a plate. ^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Slide the frittata back into the pan and cook the other side for about 5-10 minutes until it begins to brown.
- Place the spaghetti frittata onto a serving plate, and enjoy!

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

If your spaghetti is already cooked, a single serving of cooked pasta is 1 cup (200g). You can measure cooked pasta with a measuring cup or by using a kitchen scale.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
A less exact way to measure dry pasta is dividing the box into the amount of servings it holds. If a box of spaghetti holds 10 servings, for example, pour out the spaghetti and divide it into 10 equal sections. Each section should be about a single serving of pasta.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 2
When making spaghetti , use 8 fluid ounces (240 mL) of water for every 4 ounces (125g) of pasta.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

Trustworthy Source

Go to source

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

Log in

How to Measure a Serving Size of Spaghetti

Measuring a Spaghetti Serving

Steps

How to Measure Spaghetti with Your Fingers

How to Measure Spaghetti with a U.S. Quarter

How to Measure Spaghetti with a Soda Bottle

How to Measure Spaghetti with a Scale

How to Measure Spaghetti with a Pasta Spoon

How to Measure Spaghetti with a Pasta Measure Tool

How to Use Leftover Spaghetti

Expert Q&A

Video

Tips

You Might Also Like

References

About This Article

Reader Success Stories

Did this article help you?

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Explore Categories