20 Best Sauce Recipes For Pasta

Marinara sauce is possibly the most consumed pasta sauce recipe in the world. You've probably scarfed down spaghetti with marinara sauce at your grandma's or that cozy Italian joint down the street. This Italian classic is all about simplicity, flavor, and a touch of nostalgia. 

In the marinara sauce, it's all about tomatoes, garlic, onions, olive oil, and a pinch of herbs. When you simmer those ingredients together, the ingredients mingle together, and voila! You got yourself a tangy, slightly sweet, and savory sauce that's perfect for pasta. Marinara isn't just for pasta, though. You can use it to dip your pizza crust, dunk your meatballs, or even smother your chicken parm.

Alfredo sauce is the creamy, dreamy, Italian-American sauce that's like a warm, cheesy hug for your pasta. It is the perfect sauce when you're craving something rich and comforting. Alfredo sauce is all about butter, cream, and parmesan cheese.

Alfredo sauce is like the cozy, indulgent side of Italian cuisine, and it's so good that you can't help but lick your plate clean. So, next time you're in the mood for some creamy pasta goodness, this is your go-to choice. Just remember, it's not exactly diet-friendly, but who cares when it tastes this good?

Arrabbiata sauce is like the regular marinara sauce with a fiery twist! "Arrabbiata" even means "angry" in Italian which indicates a certain kick. It's basically marinara sauce with some spice, thanks to red pepper flakes or fresh chili peppers. It's great with penne or spaghetti, and you can add some grated Pecorino Romano cheese on top for that extra zing.

The beauty of it is that you can adjust the spiciness to your liking; just add more or less red pepper flakes.

This Italian classic is the real deal when it comes to comfort food. As one of the more popular creamy cheese sauces, it has both richness and flavor.

First, you fry up that bacon or pancetta until it's all crispy and irresistible. Then, in a separate bowl, whisk some eggs and Parmesan cheese together until they're creamy. When your pasta's cooked, you drain it and mix it with the egg-cheese concoction. The heat from the pasta turns it into this silky, creamy sauce that clings to every noodle.

Primavera sauce is the freshest, most veggie-packed pasta sauce you can imagine! This Italian sauce is all about celebrating the bounty of spring, hence the name "Primavera," which means spring. The assortment of veggies can include everything from bell peppers, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes to snap peas or whatever's in season.

Garlic is also added for flavor. Since this sauce is all about keeping it light and healthy – no heavy cream here. Instead you add a touch of olive oil and a sprinkle of Italian herbs and seasonings.

Aglio e Olio sauce, or just garlic and oil sauce, is also one of the more popular pasta sauces. It's the simplest and most no-fuss pasta sauce out there. All it really is, is sautéed garlic cloves and red pepper flakes in olive oil, creating this golden, fragrant goodness.

You just heat the oil, toss in the garlic and a pinch of pepper flakes, let them sizzle to perfection, and mix it with cooked pasta. Sprinkle some parsley and maybe grated Parmesan for extra flavor. It's the ultimate lazy but delicious pasta fix.

It is creamy, slightly tangy, and has a hint of vodka that adds a little zing to your meal. The process of cooking is also extremely easy. You cook up some onions, garlic, and tomato in a pan, then pour in some vodka and let it simmer. After that, you add heavy cream and let it all blend together into this amazing, velvety sauce.

Sprinkle some Parmesan on top, and you've got a pasta dish that's fancy yet simple.

Lemon butter sauce is a simple yet fabulous sauce made from butter, lemon juice, and a pinch of zest. This sauce is tangy, velvety, and just a tad creamy, making it the perfect partner for pasta, seafood, or chicken.

It's the superhero of sauces that can rescue any bland dish and transform it into a lip-smacking, tangy sensation. Drizzle it over your favorite dish, and you'll be in lemony, buttery heaven in no time.

Puttanesca sauce is not for the faint-hearted. Made with salty anchovies, olives, capers, and a bunch of sauteed garlic, this sauce really packs a punch. Once you pour it over your spaghetti, you've got a spicy, tangy, and absolutely addictive sauce that's perfect for when you're feeling a bit rebellious in the kitchen.

If you've always been scared of anchovies, this sauce might be the starting point for you.

Yet another white sauce that pairs well with pasta is the creamy mushroom sauce. It combines the earthy, sautéed mushrooms with the creaminess of Parmesan cheese. As you add a splash of white wine, the sauce becomes luscious and indulgent.

This one is for days when you want a satisfying, feel-good meal with rich, creamy and savory delight in each bite. You can also use this recipe to make your favorite Pasta Fagioli recipes.

If you're a spice lover, Roasted Red Pepper Sauce is liquid gold for your pasta. This sauce adds a blast of sweet and smoky flavor to your noodles. You roast those vibrant red peppers till they're all charred and flavorful, then blend them with some garlic, olive oil, and a dash of spice.

The result? A creamy, tangy sauce that's perfect for twirling your spaghetti, dunking your garlic bread, or even smearing on a sandwich. It's the secret weapon in the world of pasta sauces, turning your ordinary dinner into something way more exciting.

The next classic pasta sauce is the Cacio e Pepe. It's the Italian equivalent of mac 'n' cheese, but way more sophisticated. A simple combination of grated Pecorino Romano cheese and a ton of freshly ground black pepper results in a creamy salty heaven balanced out by the zesty kick of the peppers.

It's the ultimate comfort food as it's magic lies in its simplicity.

Amatriciana sauce red sauce equivalent of carbonara sauce. It is made with bacon (pancetta, to be fancy) sautéed to crispy perfection, and mixed with a spicy tomato sauce. Throw in some onions, garlic, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for more flavor.

What works in this sauce is the balance between the smokiness of the bacon and the tangy tomatoes. Top it off with the sprinkle of Pecorino Romano cheese, and you're ready for a pasta feast.

Clam sauce is yet another divisive topic in the world of pasta sauces. Clam flavor is not a popular flavor on pasta but it works great if you like tender briny clams cooked in garlic and butter.

Add some white wine for a fancy twist and some red pepper flakes for a little kick before you toss in your favorite pasta. This is a seafood-based pasta sauce that goes with both linguine and spaghetti.

Gorgonzola Cream Sauce is a velvety pasta sauce made with heavy cream and crumbled Gorgonzola cheese. This cheese is a type of blue cheese with a distinct tangy and creamy profile. The cheese's pungent and slightly salty notes meld beautifully with the cream.

Often added to gnocchi or fettuccine, this sauce offers a balance of indulgence and sophistication. It's indulgent, comforting, and perfect for when you want to treat yourself to a bowl of pasta that's off the charts in the flavor department.

Made by rehydrating dried tomatoes and blending them with ingredients like olive oil, garlic, herbs, and sometimes Parmesan cheese, this sauce has a concentrated tomato flavor. Often used as a tomato paste substitute, sun-dried tomatoes provide a sweet and slightly smoky dimension to the meal and pair wonderfully with a variety of pasta types.

You can even customize it with additional ingredients like pine nuts, capers, or crushed red pepper for added depth and complexity. It's a quick and tasty way to elevate your pasta dishes.

The brown butter taste is distinguished by its rich and nutty aroma. To this, fresh sage leaves are added so that they provide their characteristic earthy, herbaceous notes. The sauce is typically finished with a squeeze of lemon juice to provide a hint of acidity.

You can pair this with any form of pasta but it works well, particularly with gnocchi and ravioli. You can also add some roasted veggies or chicken if you're looking to make it a filling meal.

Who doesn't love the good ol' Bolognese? This meat-based pasta sauce is made with ground beef and pork simmered with aromatic veggies, red wine, and tomato sauce until it's thick and luscious. When you add in your pasta, the sauce coats every noodle.

Common toppings to go with it are Parmesan cheese, creamy ricotta, and just some fresh herbs. Bolognese is a slow-cooked labor of love but entirely worth it in the end.

Like Bolognese, Ragu alla napoletana is also a meat sauce. Tender, succulent chunks of beef or pork that are simmered in a slow-cooked tomato sauce. The sauce has vibrant sun-ripened tomatoes along with aromatic garlic, onions, and a fragrant bouquet of fresh basil and oregano.

Ragu alla Napoletana is commonly served with thick, long pasta like pappardelle or rigatoni that represents the rustic, soulful cuisine of Southern Italy.

Pesto Trapanese, also known as "Pesto alla Trapanese," is a Sicilian variation of the classic Italian pesto sauce. Originating from the coastal town of Trapani in Sicily, this pesto is a vibrant and aromatic mixture of sun-ripened tomatoes, almonds, garlic, basil, olive oil, and pecorino cheese.

What sets it apart from the more familiar Genovese pesto is the absence of pine nuts and Parmesan cheese, replaced by the distinct flavors of almonds and pecorino.