According to celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis, incorporating a simple technique immediately after draining your pasta can elevate your dish, and it only involves adding cheese.

As De Laurentiis told People, “After you’ve drained your pasta and it’s still hot, grate a little fresh Parmesan on top, wait a few seconds, and then toss it with your sauce.”

“The cheese will melt directly on the pasta, which will give your sauce something to stick on to,” she added. This will also impart a salty and savory flavor to the dish.

If you want to add an extra layer of security to ensure your sauce combines well, simply add anywhere from ¼ cup to 1½ cups of pasta water while you’re mixing your sauce.