How much water to add 1 cup dry elbow macaroni?

To cook 1 cup of dry elbow macaroni, you typically need about 2 to 2.5 cups of water. The general ratio is 1 part pasta to 2 parts water. It's important to bring the water to a rolling boil before adding the macaroni and to stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Once cooked, drain any excess water if needed.