Pasta is a universal favorite, and a great pasta dish often hinges on its sauce. Whether you prefer creamy, tomato-based, or something entirely different, there’s a pasta sauce recipe to match every taste. Here are ten delicious pasta sauce recipes that are sure to impress.
1. Classic Marinara Sauce
Ingredients:
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 1 small onion, finely chopped
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 cans (28 oz each) crushed tomatoes
– 1 tbsp tomato paste
– 1 tsp sugar
– 1 tsp dried oregano
– 1 tsp dried basil
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions:
1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent.
2. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute.
3. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, oregano, and basil. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.
2. Creamy Alfredo Sauce
Ingredients:
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter
– 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions:
1. In a medium saucepan, heat the heavy cream and butter over medium heat until the butter melts.
2. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute.
3. Add the Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
3. Pesto Sauce
Ingredients:
– 2 cups fresh basil leaves
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
– 1/3 cup pine nuts
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Combine basil leaves, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and garlic in a food processor.
2. With the processor running, slowly add the olive oil until the mixture is smooth and emulsified.
3. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Bolognese Sauce
Ingredients:
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 1 small onion, finely chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 carrot, finely chopped
– 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
– 1 lb ground beef
– 1/2 cup red wine
– 2 cans (28 oz each) crushed tomatoes
– 1 cup beef broth
– 1/2 cup whole milk
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions:
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Cook until softened.
2. Add the ground beef and cook until browned.
3. Stir in the red wine and cook until it has mostly evaporated.
4. Add the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and milk. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Simmer for at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
6. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
5. Arrabbiata Sauce
Ingredients:
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tsp red pepper flakes
– 2 cans (28 oz each) crushed tomatoes
– 1 tsp dried oregano
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions:
1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until fragrant.
2. Stir in the crushed tomatoes and oregano. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
6. Vodka Sauce
Ingredients:
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 1 small onion, finely chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1/4 cup vodka
– 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions:
1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent.
2. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute.
3. Add the vodka and cook until it has mostly evaporated.
4. Stir in the crushed tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Add the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.
7. Carbonara Sauce
Ingredients:
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 4 oz pancetta, diced
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 large eggs
– 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions:
1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook until crispy.
2. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and Parmesan cheese.
4. Add the cooked pancetta and garlic to the egg mixture, stirring quickly to prevent the eggs from scrambling.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
8. Aglio e Olio Sauce
Ingredients:
– 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
– 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
– 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
– Salt to taste
– Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions:
1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until the garlic is golden brown.
2. Season with salt.
3. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
9. Mushroom Sauce
Ingredients:
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 1 small onion, finely chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 lb mushrooms, sliced
– 1/2 cup white wine
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh thyme for garnish
Instructions:
1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent.
2. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute.
3. Add the mushrooms and cook until they release their moisture and begin to brown.
4. Stir in the white wine and cook until it has mostly evaporated.
5. Add the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Garnish with fresh thyme before serving.
10. Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
Ingredients:
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 1 small onion, finely chopped
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 roasted red peppers, chopped
– 1 cup vegetable broth
– 1/2 cup heavy cream
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions:
1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent.
2. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute.
3. Add the roasted red peppers and vegetable broth. Simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Transfer the mixture to a blender and blend until smooth.
5. Return the sauce to the saucepan and stir in the heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.
Key Takeaway
These ten pasta sauce recipes offer a variety of flavors to suit every preference. From the classic marinara to the rich and creamy Alfredo, each sauce can elevate your pasta dishes to new heights. Try them out and discover your new favorite!