-Try cooking pasta like risotto. You can add a few ounces of hot cooking liquid at a time as the pasta soaks up the liquid. This produces a totally new texture in pasta. You can also use chicken stock as a cooking liquid for extra flavor.

-Go light on the sauce for a new experience. Toss pasta with a few vegetables coated in olive oil and sautéed garlic. Add pasta cooking water to bind it together for a light and simple meal;.

-In a hurry? Try Angel Hair pasta. It cooks in two minutes as opposed to 10 or 12 for other types of noodles.