Stop Pouring It Down the Drain: The Surprising Things You Can Do With Leftover Pasta Water

Been tossing pasta water down the drain? 😳 You’re throwing away liquid gold! 🍝 This secret ingredient makes sauces creamier, hair shinier, and feet softer—yes, really. Full list of surprising uses in the article below 👇

When you cook pasta, you probably just pour the leftover water down the drain. But did you know that this water can actually be useful in many ways?

How to Incorporate Pasta Water in Cooking
Professional chefs often call the water left after boiling pasta “liquid gold.” That’s because it works wonders when making sauces—especially the creamy, smooth kind served in high-end restaurants.

Pasta water contains starch, which helps bring together ingredients like oil and water. This keeps sauces from separating and makes them thick and silky. No matter if you’re making tomato, pesto, or cream sauce, adding a little pasta water will boost both the texture and taste.

And it’s not just pasta! Water from boiling rice, beans, or lentils also contains starch and can be used the same way.

Tip: Try not to fully drain the pasta before adding the sauce. A little pasta water in the pan will help blend everything together and give you a rich, delicious finish.

Using Pasta Water in Beauty Routines
The starch and nutrients in pasta water aren’t just good for food—they’re great for your skin and hair too. You can use it as part of your home beauty care.

Apply the cooled pasta water directly to your face or mix it with ground oats for a gentle scrub.

Rinse your hair with it or leave it on for a few minutes before washing out.

Use it in a warm foot soak to soften dry heels and feet.

How to Save Pasta Water
There are a few easy ways to keep pasta water instead of letting it go to waste:

Place a bowl under your colander in the sink to catch the water as you drain the pasta.

Scoop short pasta with a slotted spoon, or use tongs to remove long noodles like spaghetti.

Try a pot with a built-in strainer—just lift the strainer out when the pasta is done, and the water stays behind.

The next time you’re preparing pasta, you’ll know exactly why it’s worth saving the water!

Have you ever incorporated pasta water into your cooking or beauty routine? Would you try it now? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear your experience or tips!