5 pasta recipes

Everyone loves pasta, but not everyone knows how to make it truly exceptional. These five simple hacks will transform your noodles from ordinary to restaurant-quality.

1. Salt the water like the sea

The water should taste like the ocean. Use at least 1 tablespoon of salt per pound of pasta. This is the only chance to season the pasta from within – sauce alone won't do it.

2. Reserve pasta water

Before draining, save a cup of the starchy cooking water. Adding a splash to your sauce helps it emulsify and cling to the pasta. The starch thickens sauces naturally without cream.

3. Finish cooking in the sauce

Drain pasta one minute before it's al dente. Transfer it directly to the pan with your sauce, add a splash of reserved water, and finish cooking together. The pasta absorbs flavor while releasing starch that thickens the sauce.

4. Don't rinse

Never rinse cooked pasta unless you're making a cold salad. The surface starch helps sauce adhere. Rinsing washes it away and leaves you with slippery, sauce-repelling noodles.

5. Use the right pan

A large skillet or sauté pan works better than a deep pot for mixing pasta and sauce. The wide surface area allows you to toss everything together, coating each strand evenly.

Try these with your favorite pasta

These hacks work with any pasta shape and any sauce. Whether you're making simple aglio e olio or a hearty bolognese, these techniques will elevate your dish.