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
When the pasta is about 4 minutes from being al dente, drop in 8 oz.
—
Hailee Catalano, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Jan. 2026
Instead, use easier-to-find soba made with both buckwheat and wheat flour, which can be cooked to al dente before adding to your soup.
—Kate Williams, AJC.com, 18 Jan. 2026
One to 3 minutes before the pasta is done cooking according to the package instructions, add the peas to the water and cook until the pasta is al dente and the peas are barely cooked.
—Karla Walsh, CNN Money, 17 Jan. 2026
The noodles were cooked al dente, with a slight chewiness .
—Kansas City Star, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for al dente
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Hailee Catalano, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Jan. 2026
Instead, use easier-to-find soba made with both buckwheat and wheat flour, which can be cooked to al dente before adding to your soup.
—Kate Williams, AJC.com, 18 Jan. 2026
One to 3 minutes before the pasta is done cooking according to the package instructions, add the peas to the water and cook until the pasta is al dente and the peas are barely cooked.
—Karla Walsh, CNN Money, 17 Jan. 2026
The noodles were cooked al dente, with a slight chewiness .
—Kansas City Star, 17 Jan. 2026
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 31 Jan. 2026.
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