heat stirring occasionally to keep the pasta from sticking Continue to cook until the pasta is fully softened but retains a slight bites in the center (about minute less than the package recommends after the pasta reaches a boil) Drain the pasta, reserving 1½ cups of the cooking liquid, and return to the pot Add the sauce to the pasta and stir to combine, adding some of the reserved pasta water as necessary to thin the sauce to the desired consistency Serve immediately, with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano