Reheating pasta can be difficult, and the results can be underwhelming. Most people pop the leftover pasta in the microwave [1] for a couple minutes and expect it to taste just as tasty as the night it was made. Well, most of the time, the pasta [2] ends up getting dry, slightly crusty, and lumpy instead.

If you are looking for a better technique that'll give you soft noodles and a warm sauce, using the stove might be a better option. Here's how to reheat your leftover pasta and make it taste (almost) exactly the same as it did the night before:

1. Depending on what kind of sauce the pasta was made with, start by heating a little butter or olive oil in a large sauté pan over low to medium heat.
2. When the butter is melted or the oil is hot, add the cold pasta.
3. Now add a couple of tablespoons to 1/4 cup of liquid like water, broth, milk, or wine (use the same kind of liquid you made the sauce with). For example, if reheating leftover macaroni and cheese [3], add milk. If reheating bolognese, [4] add red wine, etc.
4. Stir the pasta for about five minutes, until the pasta is heated and soft and the liquid is fully absorbed. Enjoy!

— Additional reporting by Balim Tezel