Types of Pasta Sauces You Need to Try

The secret of pasta lies in the sauce and pasta sauces are the perfect way to satisfy your taste buds! From marinara to the white creamy sauce, there is a variety of fresh pasta sauces that can be made with simple ingredients. Read on to explore the different types of pasta sauces, their ingredients, variations, and how to make them!

What is pasta sauce?

Pasta sauce is a savory and flavorful condiment used to enhance the flavor of cooked pasta dishes. It can be made with a variety of ingredients such as tomatoes, heavy cream, onions, garlic, olive oil, and herbs, and with some meat sauces including ground meat.

The most popular types of sauces are marinara, tomato sauce, cheese sauce, spaghetti sauce, and mother sauces (such as béchamel). Let's dive deeper into the types of pasta sauces:

1. Marinara Sauce

Marinara sauce is a classic Italian tomato-based sauce that’s perfect for any type of pasta dish. It’s made with garlic, oregano, and basil which give it a medium heat and fresh flavor that pairs well with a variety of pasta dishes, especially in Italian cuisine.

Typically, it’s made with canned tomatoes or fresh pureed tomatoes, but you can also adjust the flavor by adding extra seasonings such as red pepper flakes or Italian herbs. Marinara is versatile and can be served as a simple side dish or used to make heartier dishes like lasagna.

You can even use it as the base for other sauces like cheese or spicy sauces. For a quick and easy marinara sauce, try blending canned tomatoes with olive oil, garlic, basil, oregano, and some salt. Marinara sauce is a classic Italian dish that will add flavor and freshness to any pasta dish. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make your own homemade marinara sauce in no time!

Here are the steps to make it:

• Making a great fresh pasta sauce doesn’t have to be difficult. Start by heating some olive oil in a pan over medium heat and adding some garlic and Italian fresh herbs.
• Sauté for a few minutes until the garlic is fragrant, then add your choice of tomato sauce or fresh pureed tomatoes depending on your preference. Allow the sauce to simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• If you’d like to add some extra flavor, you can also mix in some freshly grated black pepper and red pepper flakes, as well as any kind of cheese that you prefer. Finally, once the sauce is cooked through, mix in either cooked ground beef or sausage if desired, and serve with your favorite type of pasta after straining. Enjoy!

2. Alfredo Sauce

Alfredo sauce is a classic for Italian cuisine and is perfect for any occasion. Alfredo sauce is an easy, delicious way to make any meal feel special. With just a few simple ingredients and some stirring, you can create a tasty dish in no time. Now that you have mastered this classic Italian staple, why not try your hand at making a creamy White Sauce?

Here are the steps to make it:

• To make it, start by heating some butter and olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add some garlic and sauté for a few minutes until fragrant.
• Next, stir in cream and allow it to simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Finally, remove from heat and stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese until fully incorporated.
• You can also add some chili flakes and black pepper for extra flavor if desired. Serve it with your favorite type of pasta or as an accompaniment to fish dishes or steamed vegetables.

3. White Sauce

White sauce, also known as béchamel, is a simple sauce yet known as a luxurious French classic. It’s made with just four ingredients: butter, flour, milk, and salt. 

To prepare it, melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat then whisk in the flour to make a paste. Gradually add the milk while stirring until you have a smooth mixture. Allow the mixture to simmer for 10-15 minutes before adding salt and pepper to taste.

This versatile sauce can be used as a base for many different dishes - from macaroni cheese to fish pies - or simply poured over vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower. It’s also incredibly easy to customize; try adding grated cheese for extra flavor or use cream instead of milk for a richer result. White sauce is an essential part of any home chef’s repertoire, so why not give it a go today?

4. Pesto Sauce

Pesto is a well-known traditional Italian sauce that can be created using the ingredients specifically, fresh basil, olive oil, garlic, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, and salt. This classic combination of flavors creates an incredibly versatile sauce that can be used to enhance both pasta and other dishes.

Pesto also makes a great spread for sandwiches or as a dip for vegetables and other classic recipes. To make it yourself, simply blend the ingredients in a food processor until smooth. You can also buy pre-made pesto at most grocery stores.

When adding pesto to your dish, a good rule of thumb is to start with less than you think you need - you can always add more later! This way you can customize the flavor to your own taste while avoiding making the dish too salty or overpowering.

For those who are looking to add some extra heat to their pesto sauce, try adding chili flakes while blending or stirring them in after cooking. No matter how you choose to enjoy it, there’s no denying that pesto adds an irresistible flavor and aroma to any meal.

Pesto adds a fresh and flavorful twist to any dish, so don't be afraid to experiment with it! It's sure to become your new favorite go-to sauce.

5. Vodka Sauce

Vodka sauce is a delicious and comforting Italian-American creation. This creamy sauce is made from a blend of tomato sauce, cream, and vodka that simmers to perfection. The vodka adds an intriguing flavor to the dish, while the cream creates a rich and luxurious texture.

Vodka sauce pairs well with all types of pasta dishes, but it can also be used in other recipes such as lasagna or baked ziti. With just a few basic ingredients, you can quickly whip up this simple yet flavorful sauce in no time. Here are the steps to get started:

• First, sauté some garlic in olive oil over medium heat until lightly browned.
• Next, add the tomato sauce and stir a splash of vodka until combined.
• Finally, reduce the heat to low and add the cream before simmering for 10 minutes or so until thickened.

You can adjust the consistency by adding more cream or some of the reserved pasta water if desired. For added flavor, top with some Parmesan cheese and freshly cracked black pepper before serving. Enjoy your delicious homemade vodka sauce over your favorite type of pasta!

Vodka sauce is a delicious and comforting way to elevate any pasta dish, so why not give it a try?

6. Bolognese Sauce

Bolognese is a classic Italian pasta sauce that's made with a combination of ground beef, tomatoes, and herbs. Originating from the city of Bologna in Italy, this hearty sauce has become incredibly popular around the world.

To make Bolognese, begin by

• sautéing some garlic in olive oil until lightly browned.
• Next, add the ground beef and cook until browned then mix in tomato sauce and simmer for 15 minutes or so until thickened.
• For added flavor, feel free to add some Italian herbs such as oregano and basil as well as freshly cracked black pepper.

Serve your homemade Bolognese over your favorite type of pasta for an irresistible Italian feast!

7. Carbonara Sauce

Carbonara sauce is an Italian pasta sauce that will bring a bit of savory and creamy flavor to your dish. This classic white sauce is made with some basic ingredients like heavy cream, grated cheese, eggs, bacon or pork, and freshly cracked black pepper.

8. Puttanesca Sauce

Puttanesca sauce is a classic Italian pasta sauce that combines the flavors of olives, capers, anchovies, and tomatoes to create a truly unique taste. This fragrant and delicious sauce originates from Naples, Italy with some theories suggesting it was created in one of the famous bordellos.

The main ingredients for this sauce are tomatoes, olives, capers, chili peppers, anchovies, garlic, oregano, parsley, salt, and pepper.

(See more: Spaghetti alla Puttanesca Recipe )

9. Vegan Tomato Pasta Sauce

Vegan Tomato Pasta Sauce is a delicious and simple sauce that can be made quickly for any vegan looking for an Italian-inspired meal. The basic ingredients include diced fresh tomatoes, garlic, herbs such as oregano and basil, virgin olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste.

To make the sauce:

• Heat some olive oil in a pan before adding the garlic until lightly browned.
• Next, add the tomatoes along with the herbs before letting them simmer for about 10 minutes.
• Once cooked through, season with salt and pepper to taste and serve over your favorite type of pasta or noodle.

With its sweet yet savory flavor, this vegan tomato pasta sauce is sure to satisfy even the pickiest eaters!

10. Clam Sauce

Clam sauce is a classic Italian dish that adds a unique flavor to your favorite pasta dishes. It's made with the classic red sauce base, plus clams for an added briny flavor. This delicious combination makes it perfect for any Feast of the Seven Fishes or as an accompaniment to any seafood-based dish.

It's also great over linguine or fettuccine and can be spiced up with pepper flakes or black pepper if desired. Clam sauce is simple to make and requires only basic ingredients such as canned clams, butter, flour, garlic, and white wine.

For those looking for a more intense flavor, fresh clams can be used instead of canned clams. With its unique flavor and versatile nature, clam sauce is sure to become one of your go-to pasta sauces!

11. Brown Butter Sauce

Brown butter sauce is an easy and delicious way to upgrade any pasta dish. This simple yet flavorful sauce is made by browning butter in a pan over medium heat until it starts to turn golden brown and releases nutty aromas.

Once the butter has been browned, you can add additional seasonings such as sage, black pepper, or red pepper flakes. Then toss this easy sauce with whatever pasta, produce, and proteins you like. Brown butter sauce adds a unique flavor to filled pasta such as ravioli and tortellini, as well as seafood dishes like scallops and shrimp.

It also pairs well with vegetables like mushrooms and Brussels sprouts for a vegetarian-friendly meal. With its rich flavor, versatility, and ease of preparation, brown butter sauce is sure to become one of your go-to pasta sauces!

12. Aglio e Olio

Aglio e Olio is a traditional Italian pasta sauce that has become popular around the world. Translating literally to “garlic and oil,” aglio e olio is as simple as pasta sauces come.

This classic sauce is made with just four ingredients: garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper. Adding chili peppers can make this simple dish even tastier; in this case, it’s referred to as Aglio Olio e Peperoncino.

Aglio e Olio can be prepared with coarsely chopped garlic or entire cloves which are then removed after the garlicky flavor has been infused into the oil. This versatile sauce can be tossed with any type of shaped pasta or used to top seafood dishes like scallops or shrimp for a delicious meal. With its easy preparation and unique flavor, Aglio e Olio is sure to become one of your favorite hearty sauces!

13. Sicilian sardine sauce

Sicilian sardine sauce is a classic Italian dish with a long history. The Arab general who conquered Sicily wanted to feed his soldiers with the local foods available, so he added touches from the Arab world - saffron and pine nuts - which resulted in this unique and flavorful sauce.

Making Sicilian sardine sauce consists of having ingredients combined using a food processor and the ingredients to be combined are sardines, anchovies, fennel, raisins, pine nuts, and saffron in a food processor or blender. Once all ingredients are combined, cook on medium heat for about 10 minutes until everything is incorporated. When served over pasta or fish dishes it delivers an intense flavor that you won't forget! This simple yet robust sauce is sure to be a hit with your family and friends!

14. Lemon sauce

The lemon sauce is a light and refreshing pasta sauce that's perfect for summer. It's made with just a few simple ingredients, such as lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper, and olive oil. The combination of these ingredients creates a tart and zesty flavor that brightens up any dish. Lemon sauce is versatile too – it can be used on any type of pasta or served on fish or chicken dishes. Best of all, it only takes minutes to make!

All you have to do is combine the ingredients in a bowl and then pour over your favorite type of pasta. Not only does lemon sauce pair well with many different types of food but it also adds a bit of brightness to your plate that will tantalize your taste buds!

No matter what type of pasta dish you’re making, there’s sure to be a perfect pasta sauce to complement it! Be sure to experiment with different types until you find your favorite combination!