Step 1

Fill a large pot halfway full of water and bring to a boil; salt it.

Step 2

When the water boils, add the pasta. If you have long strands, hold them in a bundle above the pot and gently swirl them in the water until the bottom of the strands soften and you can fit the rest in the pot.

Step 3

Stir frequently with a fork or tongs to keep the pasta or noodles from sticking together. Start tasting after 5 minutes.

Step 4

When the pasta is tender but not mushy, drain it, reserving about 1 cup cooking liquid (even if you don’t think you’ll need it). Return the pasta to the pot along with any seasonings you like: 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil, more salt, or some pepper; add a spoonful or 2 of the reserved cooking liquid and any of the possible flavorings from the list that follows and stir. Otherwise toss the pasta with the sauce you’ve prepared or use it in another dish. Serve hot or warm.