Most people overcook their pasta. Stop it. Cook your elbows or shells about one minute less than the box says. Why? Because you’ll finish cooking them in the cheese sauce. This saves your noodles from turning into mush. It also keeps them firm enough to hold sauce later.
Another pro tip: rinse your pasta? No way. Never rinse. That starchy coating is your best friend. It helps the cheese sauce cling to every curve. Rinsing washes away your defense against dryness.