Why does your spaghetti sauce get watery when you put on the cooked pasta?

Spaghetti sauce doesn't actually *get* watery when you add cooked pasta. It's more about the perception of wateriness. Here's why:

* Starch Release: When pasta cooks, it releases starch into the water. This starch gets absorbed by the sauce, making it appear thinner.

* Dilution: The pasta itself absorbs some of the sauce, diluting the remaining sauce in the pan.

* Temperature Change: The hot pasta cools the sauce slightly, which can also make it seem thinner.

How to Avoid Watery Sauce:

* Don't Overcook Pasta: Overcooked pasta releases more starch and can make the sauce too thin.

* Use Less Water: Cook your pasta in a smaller amount of water to minimize starch release.

* Use Thickening Agents: A spoonful of cornstarch or flour mixed with a little cold water can be stirred into the sauce towards the end of cooking to thicken it.

* Reduce the Sauce: Simmer the sauce for a few minutes after adding the pasta to allow it to thicken and reduce.

Remember, the amount of water in the sauce is directly related to the amount of pasta you're adding. It's all about balance!