Boil, drain, rinse in the sink. Wait—have we been doing it wrong all along? Nothing says hearty comfort food like a bowl full of noodles and your favorite sauce. There are plenty of easy pasta ...

Just a tablespoon or two of the pasta water will help your sauces bind to the pasta. So, before you drain and get rid of the pasta water, keep about ¼ cup to add to sauces. Basil pesto.