We have pasta day about twice a week. It’s so easy and quick to make. But I recently found out by a famous chef the proper way to cook and serve pasta. It’s not much different, but it really does make the pasta silky smooth.

Here’s what you do.

Add the recommended amount of water on the pasta box and bring to a boil. Add the desired amount of pasta to the water. Let cook until al dente. I suggest going by taste, not time.

While the pasta is boiling, bring the sauce of your choice to almost a boil in a large enough pot to hold all the pasta and sauce.

Now, this is when things get different. Do not drain your pasta and DO NOT rinse it either. You will scoop it from the boiling water right into the sauce with a slotted spoon or metal strainer.

Add a bout a 1/4 cup of the pasta water to the sauce pan and stir.

Add the desired cheese, 2 tablespoons of butter (not margarine) chopped basil if desired and stir. Done!

Now taste how velvety it is? Perfecto!

What is your favorite sauce for pasta?