al dente
adjective
al den·te
äl-ˈden-(ˌ)tā 
al-
: cooked just enough to retain a somewhat firm texture
al dente pasta
al dente
adverb
pasta cooked al dente
Examples of al dente in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The soft color, the al dente snap, the grassy taste.
—
The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 May 2025
Add enough salt so the water is pleasantly salty, followed by the pasta, and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2025
The orecchiette is al dente and has a nice chew to it, while its scoop-like shape holds up the sauce and bits of sausage.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2025
As my meatballs bubbled away in their marinara and my spaghetti approached al dente, my kitchen was filled with the mouthwatering aroma of butter and garlic.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for al dente
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The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 May 2025
Add enough salt so the water is pleasantly salty, followed by the pasta, and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2025
The orecchiette is al dente and has a nice chew to it, while its scoop-like shape holds up the sauce and bits of sausage.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2025
As my meatballs bubbled away in their marinara and my spaghetti approached al dente, my kitchen was filled with the mouthwatering aroma of butter and garlic.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for al dente
Cite this Entry
“Al dente.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/al%20dente. Accessed 10 May. 2025.
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