10+ Pasta Sauce Recipes to Elevate Your Dishes

Pasta sauce is a delicious and versatile addition to many meals. Whether you are looking for a classic marinara or a creamy Alfredo, there is a perfect sauce recipe for every pasta lover.

Making your own sauce can elevate your dishes and allow you to customize flavors to suit your taste.

In this article, you will discover a variety of pasta sauce recipes that are easy to prepare and packed with flavor. From quick weeknight dinners to special occasions, these sauces will help you create memorable meals that everyone will enjoy.

1) Classic Marinara Sauce

Classic marinara sauce is simple and delicious. It uses basic ingredients to create a bright and flavorful sauce that enhances any pasta dish. The key is to use fresh tomatoes and quality herbs.

You can make this sauce quickly, often in about 30 minutes. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or when you want something comforting.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Fresh basil, for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Stir in crushed tomatoes, salt, sugar, and oregano.
4. Simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Serve with your favorite pasta and garnish with fresh basil.

2) Creamy Alfredo Sauce

Creamy Alfredo sauce is a classic favorite for pasta lovers. Its rich and smooth texture comes from combining butter, heavy cream, and cheese. This sauce is quick to prepare and perfect for a cozy dinner.

You can easily adjust the flavors by adding garlic or herbs. This way, you can make it fit your taste. It works well with fettuccine, but you can use any pasta you enjoy.

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter
• ¾ pint heavy cream
• ¾ cup grated Romano cheese
• Garlic salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.
2. Add the heavy cream and stir for about 2-3 minutes.
3. Gradually mix in the cheese until smooth.
4. Add garlic salt to taste and stir well.
5. Pour over cooked pasta and serve warm.

3) Spicy Arrabbiata Sauce

Spicy Arrabbiata Sauce is perfect for adding some heat to your pasta dishes. This Italian sauce is made with simple ingredients, making it easy to whip up. The combination of garlic, red pepper flakes, and tomatoes brings a bold flavor.

You can enjoy this sauce with any pasta of your choice. It works great with penne, spaghetti, or even zoodles for a low-carb option.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and cook until it is soft.
3. Stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for 1 minute.
4. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and season with salt and pepper.
5. Let the sauce simmer for about 15 minutes.
6. Toss with your cooked pasta and serve with fresh basil if desired.

4) Bolognese Meat Sauce

Bolognese meat sauce is a delicious, hearty option for pasta lovers. It features ground meat, usually beef or a mix, cooked slowly to create rich flavors. Onion, garlic, and tomatoes add depth and sweetness to this classic dish.

You can customize your Bolognese by adding ingredients like carrots or celery for extra texture. This sauce pairs perfectly with spaghetti or other pasta shapes.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound (450g) ground beef or a mix of meats
• 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
2. Add chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute.
4. Add ground meat and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
5. Mix in crushed tomatoes, salt, and pepper.
6. Let it simmer for at least 30 minutes on low heat.
7. Serve with your favorite pasta and garnish with fresh herbs.

5) Pesto Genovese

Pesto Genovese is a classic Italian sauce made from fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, cheese, and olive oil. It has a vibrant green color and a rich flavor that pairs perfectly with pasta.

To make it, you can use a mortar and pestle for the most authentic taste. Start by crushing garlic and pine nuts, then add fresh basil leaves until finely minced. Gradually mix in the olive oil to create a smooth paste.

You can toss this pesto with your favorite pasta for a quick meal. It’s also great as a spread on sandwiches or as a dip.

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh basil leaves
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Pinch of salt

Cooking Instructions

1. In a mortar, crush the garlic and pine nuts together.
2. Add the basil and continue to grind until fine.
3. Stir in the cheese.
4. Gradually mix in the olive oil until smooth.
5. Add a pinch of salt to taste.

6) Vodka Tomato Cream Sauce

Vodka tomato cream sauce is a delicious and creamy option for pasta lovers. The combination of tomatoes, cream, and vodka creates a rich flavor that really makes your dish stand out.

To start, cook your pasta of choice until it’s al dente. While that’s cooking, you can prepare the sauce.

In a pan, heat some olive oil and butter. Add chopped onions and garlic, cooking until softened. Next, pour in vodka and let it simmer for a minute. Then, add tomato puree and heavy cream, stirring until combined.

Once your sauce simmers gently, mix it with the pasta. It’s ready to serve after a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top!

Ingredients

• 1 lb pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 whole medium onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup vodka
• 1 cup tomato puree
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta until al dente.
2. In a pan, heat olive oil and butter.
3. Add onion and garlic; cook until softened.
4. Pour in vodka and simmer for 1 minute.
5. Add tomato puree and heavy cream; stir well.
6. Mix the sauce with cooked pasta.
7. Season with salt and pepper.
8. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese on top.

7) Romesco Sauce

Romesco sauce is a vibrant Spanish sauce made from roasted red peppers, tomatoes, almonds, and garlic. It has a rich, smoky flavor that pairs well with many dishes.

This sauce can add a delightful twist to your pasta. You can whip it up in just a few minutes, making it perfect for a quick meal.

You can enjoy Romesco with grilled vegetables or as a dip. Its bold taste will elevate any dish.

Ingredients

• 2 roasted red peppers
• 1 cup fire-roasted tomatoes
• 1/2 cup almonds
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a blender, combine roasted red peppers, fire-roasted tomatoes, almonds, and garlic.
2. Add olive oil and red wine vinegar.
3. Blend until smooth.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Serve over cooked pasta or your choice of dish.

8) Carbonara Sauce with Pancetta

Carbonara sauce is a classic Italian dish that’s creamy and full of flavor. It uses simple ingredients but brings a rich taste with each bite. The key ingredient in this recipe is pancetta, a type of Italian cured meat, which adds a delicious savory flavor.

To make the sauce, you’ll need egg yolks, cheese, and starchy pasta water. The combination creates a silky texture without using cream.

Start by cooking your pasta. While it cooks, crisp up the pancetta in a pan. Mix the egg yolks with grated cheese, and slowly add in some pasta water to create your sauce. Toss everything together with the pasta, and enjoy!

Ingredients

• 8 ounces spaghetti
• 4 ounces pancetta
• 2 egg yolks
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and black pepper
• Fresh parsley (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions.
2. While the pasta cooks, fry the pancetta in a skillet until crispy.
3. In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks and cheese together.
4. Reserve some pasta water, then drain the spaghetti.
5. Combine the pasta with pancetta in the skillet.
6. Add the egg mixture and pasta water, stirring quickly to create the sauce.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Serve immediately, garnished with parsley if desired.

9) Cacio e Pepe

Cacio e Pepe is a classic Roman pasta dish that is simple yet delicious. It mainly uses three ingredients: spaghetti, Pecorino Romano cheese, and black pepper. This dish is quick to prepare and perfect for a satisfying meal.

Start by boiling the spaghetti in salted water. While it cooks, toast some black pepper in a pan to bring out its flavor. Once the pasta is done, reserve some pasta water before draining.

Then, mix the hot pasta with freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese and a bit of the reserved water. This creates a creamy sauce that clings to the pasta perfectly.

Enjoy your dish, which is all about the balance of flavors!

Ingredients:

• 1 pound (450 g) spaghetti
• 1 ¾ cups (200 g) grated Pecorino Romano cheese
• 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
• Salt

Cooking Instructions:

1. Boil salted water in a pot.
2. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente.
3. Toast black pepper in a pan over medium heat.
4. Reserve some pasta water, then drain the spaghetti.
5. Combine hot pasta with cheese and pepper.
6. Add reserved water as needed to create a creamy sauce.

10) Putanesca Sauce with Anchovies

Puttanesca sauce is a bold and flavorful option for pasta lovers. It combines ingredients like anchovies, olives, and capers for a unique taste. This sauce is simple to prepare and perfect for a weeknight meal.

Start by heating olive oil in a pan.

Add minced garlic and let it sizzle for a minute. Then, stir in the anchovies until they dissolve.

Next, add canned tomatoes, olives, and capers. Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend.

Serve your puttanesca sauce over spaghetti or your favorite pasta. Don’t forget a sprinkle of parsley for garnish!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 anchovy fillets
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup green olives, pitted and chopped
• 2 tablespoons capers
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F/175°C).
2. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
3. Stir in anchovies and cook until they dissolve.
4. Add crushed tomatoes, olives, and capers.
5. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Serve over cooked pasta and garnish with parsley.