Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat.
Once the water is boiling, add a generous amount of salt. This flavors the pasta as it cooks.
Carefully add the pasta to the boiling water. Use about 100 grams of pasta per person for a standard serving.
Stir the pasta occasionally to prevent it from sticking together or to the bottom of the pot.
Cook the pasta according to the package instructions or until it is al dente, which means it is firm to the bite but not overly soft.
Before draining the pasta, reserve about a cup of the cooking water. This starchy water can be used to thin out sauces and help them cling better to the pasta.
Once the pasta is cooked, carefully drain it in a colander placed in the sink.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare your desired sauce. This could be a simple tomato sauce, pesto, Alfredo sauce, or any other sauce of your choice.
Transfer the drained pasta to the saucepan with your prepared sauce. Toss the pasta gently until it is evenly coated with the sauce.
Transfer the pasta and sauce to serving plates, garnish with grated cheese, fresh herbs, or a drizzle of olive oil, and serve promptly for a delicious homemade meal. Enjoy!