Pasta is SO easy, right? You just need to boil water? WRONG.
Correct pasta takes constant attention. You need to cook it al dente... you have to check the noodles every few minutes, to be sure they are not sad and soggy. They must be slightly undercooked... they must have BITE. Salt the water before it boils.
Your sauce has to be on point. Good pomodoro gravy can take an entire DAY to make from scratch. It must be well-prepared, and heated, but not burnt. Then comes the secret.
You take the pasta off the heat, before it is fully cooked. You finish it IN the sauce in the pan, so it soaks up the flavor.
Mangiare!