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Pesto cream: Swap cheese for pesto.
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Veggie boost: Stir in frozen veggies at the end – they cook in the sauce heat.
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Protein-packed: Add pre-cooked shrimp or sausage.
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Vegan twist: Use coconut cream and nutritional yeast.
Tips for Success
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Use short or sturdy pasta to avoid mushiness.
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Freshly grated cheese melts better than pre-shredded (no anti-caking agents).
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Don’t boil after adding cream – low heat prevents curdling.
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Scale up for crowds; it reheats well with a splash of milk.
This hack proves you don’t need skills or gadgets for impressive results – just smart use of pasta water. Perfect for weeknights when effort is low but flavor expectations are high.
