Always reserve at least 1 cup of starchy pasta water before draining—this is your secret weapon for adjusting sauce consistency and helping it cling beautifully to the pasta.

Remove the sauce from heat before adding mozzarella and Parmesan to prevent the cheeses from becoming grainy or breaking; stir until melted in the residual heat.

Stir pesto in during the final 30 seconds after turning off heat to preserve its vibrant color, fresh basil notes, and delicate garlic flavor from being cooked away.

Cook minced garlic gently in butter over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not golden—this prevents bitter flavors that would overpower the delicate pesto.

Pull pasta 1 minute before the package time suggests, as it will continue cooking slightly when tossed with the hot sauce—this ensures perfect texture and prevents mushiness.