Hoda Kotb, co-host of TODAY, has recently sparked a heated debate among viewers with her “hot take” on the perfect way to cook pasta. Known for her bubbly personality and candid opinions,

Kotb shared her thoughts on social media, claiming that she prefers her pasta “al dente,” but to a level that many fans found controversial. For those unfamiliar, “al dente” refers to pasta that is cooked

until it is firm to the bite, offering a slight resistance when chewed. While this cooking method is traditionally favored by many Italians, Kotb’s version of it seems to have pushed the boundaries,

igniting a passionate conversation among her audience. The controversy began when Kotb posted a video of herself cooking pasta on her Instagram, where she explained that she enjoys her pasta cooked

“just a little bit more al dente” than most people would prefer. This minor deviation from the norm led to a cascade of reactions, with many fans agreeing with Kotb’s take, while others were quick to criticize

her approach. “It’s not al dente if it’s too tough!” one commenter quipped, while others argued that her cooking method was nothing short of culinary sacrilege.

For a food that is so beloved around the world, people felt strongly about how it should be prepared and cooked.

As the debate gained traction, Kotb found herself at the center of a social media storm. Food enthusiasts, professional chefs, and casual home cooks alike chimed in, with some defending Kotb’s stance on the perfect pasta texture and others staunchly rejecting it.

Some viewers took to the comments to share their personal pasta preferences, leading to a full-blown “pasta wars” of sorts.

Fans of the TODAY show also weighed in, offering their own suggestions on how to properly cook pasta, while others expressed surprise that Kotb was even weighing in on such a divisive topic.

Despite the back-and-forth, Kotb’s fans were quick to support her, praising her for being unapologetically herself and not shying away from sharing her culinary opinions.

It’s not the first time Kotb has sparked debate with her opinions, but the pasta controversy has certainly stood out.

Known for her witty remarks and sense of humor, Kotb often brings her personality into the topics she discusses, whether it’s food, fashion, or pop culture.

Her comments on pasta have shown that even the most mundane of topics can elicit passionate responses when shared by a well-known personality. The debate also highlights how deeply personal food preferences can be.

For many, the way food is prepared or served becomes a reflection of culture, tradition, and even identity. What might seem like a small issue to some can be deeply significant to others, which is likely why the debate has stirred such strong emotions.
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Despite the backlash, Kotb remained unbothered and continued to embrace her love for “slightly more al dente” pasta.

She responded to the uproar with her signature sense of humor, laughing off the heated comments and joking that perhaps she would never cook pasta in public again.

Her lighthearted approach to the situation allowed her to avoid getting bogged down by the negativity, and instead, she used the opportunity to bond with her audience over a common experience—food.

In the end, the pasta debate has only served to increase her relatability, as fans can see that even celebrities have strong opinions about everyday topics, and it’s okay to disagree.

Kotb’s pasta “hot take” may have sparked a fierce debate, but it also served as a reminder of how passionate people can be about their food preferences.

From the way pasta should be cooked to the ideal sauce to pair with it, the world of food is filled with opinions, and everyone has their own idea of what’s best.

In a world where so many topics can be contentious, it’s refreshing to see that something as simple as pasta can bring people together, even if it’s just to agree to disagree.

And for Hoda Kotb, it seems that she’s not afraid to stand by her unique take—whether her fans agree with her or not.