I tried the size of a quarter and a juice bottle with a long neck. When I cook half of what I measure as 2 ounces it is enough for me. Two ounces according to the quarter theory makes a mountain of pasta. I am thinking maybe there is a difference between the pasta size? The thin spaghetti has a smaller diameter and maybe a handfull that has the diameter of a quarter is 3 ounces not 2 ounces.
Does anyone know.I didn't want to but I guess I need to buy a scale.
When you make spaghetti, pay attention to the size of the bundle before cooking and then pay attention to whether it makes the desired amount, so that you get used to the correct sized bundle for the pasta you are using. As you note, different pasta may have different thickness and length so the size of the bundle might be different for different brands.
Having said that, a scale is a very useful kitchen tool and good compact electronic scales can be obtained very cheaply. I would recommend one in general, not just for measuring pasta portions. Then you can get used to what your preferred mass of dry pasta is and measure more confidently for any pasta shape.
If you are willing to spread out a whole box of pasta (so you know how much you are starting with - 16, 12, 8 or whatever number of ounces) you can divide the spread out pasta into, say, 8 (roughly) equal piles from a 16 ounce box (halves, quarters, eighths by dividing in two and repeating.)
But a scale is a very useful thing to have in the kitchen.
