25 Essential Homemade Pasta Sauce Recipes (From Classic To Innovative)
25 Essential Homemade Pasta Sauce Recipes
(From Classic To Innovative)
In Italian cooking, it’s all about the sauce.
True partners in deliciousness, pasta, and sauce go together like… well, pasta and sauce! How can your rigatoni or penne rigate truly shine dressed in a drab and uninteresting sauce? There’s more to offer than the classic tomato marinara or meat sauce, you know? We’re using this guide to give you the scoop and share some of our favorites in each category.
Butter and Oil Sauces
Butter and oil-based pasta sauces are some of the simplest, but flavorful sauces out there. These sauces feature just a few ingredients fresh herbs and take on more subtle flavors.
Twirl into comfort with our garlic and herb butter linguine! This simple yet flavorful dish combines tender pasta with rich, creamy butter infused with garlic and fresh herbs for a deliciously satisfying bite every time.
2. Garlic Butter with Pomodoro Shrimp
Succulent shrimp simmered in a rich garlic butter sauce with a burst of zesty pomodoro—this dish is the perfect blend of savory and fresh, ready to spice up your dinner in the most delicious way!
3. Linguine with Clam Sauce
Enjoy a delicious plate of linguine with clam sauce—perfectly al dente pasta tossed in a savory garlic, butter and white wine sauce, brimming with tender clams. It’s a simple, satisfying dish that brings a taste of the sea to your table!
4. Shrimp Scampi
Shrimp Scampi is a deliciously simple dish featuring tender shrimp sautéed in a buttery garlic and white wine sauce, finished with a hint of lemon and parsley. It’s light, flavorful, and perfect served over pasta or with crusty bread for soaking up every
last drop!
5. Brown Butter Brussels Sprouts Pasta
This Brown Butter Brussels Sprouts Pasta is a cozy, flavor-packed dish that’s both simple and satisfying. Nutty brown butter, caramelized Brussels sprouts, and al dente pasta come together for a deliciously comforting meal you’ll want to make again and again!
Cream or Cheese Sauces
When you’re craving something indulgent, nothing quite hits the spot like a creamy, cheesy pasta dish. These rich sauces can feature fresh cream, hard Italian cheeses with nutty, complex flavors, and melty cheeses like Fontina and mozzarella.
6. Creamy Garlic Pasta
Indulge in the rich, comforting flavors of our Creamy Garlic Pasta! This delicious dish features tender pasta tossed in a velvety garlic-infused sauce that's perfectly seasoned and irresistibly smooth. It’s the ultimate cozy meal for garlic lovers!
7. Homemade Alfredo Sauce
Creamy, cheesy, and oh-so-easy! This Homemade Alfredo Sauce recipe from DeLallo is a rich and comforting classic made with simple ingredients like butter, cream, and Parmesan. Perfect for tossing with your favorite pasta for a cozy night in.
8. Creamy Corn and Zucchini Orzo
This creamy corn and zucchini orzo is a cozy, one-pan wonder packed with sweet summer veggies and tender pasta in a velvety sauce. Quick to make and irresistibly comforting, it’s perfect for weeknight dinners or easy entertaining.
9. Whole-Wheat Pasta with Creamy White Bean Sauce
Creamy, comforting, and packed with goodness, this Whole Wheat Pasta with Creamy White Bean Sauce is a deliciously wholesome twist on a classic favorite. The rich, velvety sauce—made from blended white beans and garlic—coats every bite of hearty whole wheat pasta for a meal that’s as nourishing as it is satisfying.
10. Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
This Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta is a rich and flavorful dish packed with tangy sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and a velvety cream sauce. It's the perfect weeknight comfort meal that comes together in minutes and tastes like a gourmet treat!
Meat Sauces
The ultimate comfort food, hearty meat sauces like Bolognese, are made to be savored. We especially love cozying up with a big bowl of pasta during the colder winter months. If you have the time, it’s worth every minute to create a from-scratch meat sauce. Check out our Braised Beef Ragù for some inspiration. Even if you’re pressed for time, you can cook up an incredible Weeknight Bolognese Sauce.
11. Slowly Braised Short Rib Ragu
Tender, fall-off-the-bone short ribs slowly braised to perfection and simmered in a rich, savory sauce—our Short Rib Ragu is comfort food at its finest. Perfect over pasta or creamy polenta!
12. Pappardelle Bolognese
Hearty and full of flavor, our Pappardelle Bolognese features wide ribbons of pasta tossed in a rich, slow-simmered meat sauce made with tender beef, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs. It’s comfort food at its finest—warm, satisfying, and made to share!
13. Meat Lovers’ Marinara
Packed with hearty cuts of sausage, pepperoni, and ground beef, our Meat Lovers’ Marinara is a bold, zesty sauce that brings big flavor to every bite. Perfect for meat lovers craving a savory, satisfying meal!
14. San Marzano Pork Ragu
This hearty San Marzano pork ragù is a cozy, slow-simmered sauce made with tender pork, aromatic herbs, and sweet San Marzano tomatoes. It's rich, flavorful, and perfect for spooning over your favorite pasta.
15. Ground Turkey Pasta
This easy ground turkey pasta recipe from @saltandlavender is hearty, very flavorful, and ultra comforting! Lighter than a traditional Bolognese, this recipe uses simple, wholesome ingredients to make the coziest meat and tomato sauce for pasta.
Tomato Sauces
Some of the most iconic sauces are tomato-based. Just look at the classic plate of spaghetti and meatballs, holiday lasagna, cheesy stuffed ravioli, etc. Just because they’re common doesn’t mean they’re uninteresting.
16. Pasta Pomodoro
Pasta Pomodoro is a simple yet delicious Italian classic made with al dente pasta tossed in a fresh tomato sauce, garlic, basil, and a touch of olive oil. It’s light, flavorful, and perfect for a cozy meal any day of the week!
17. Spaghetti all’Assassani
Spaghetti all'Assassina is a bold and fiery pasta dish straight from Bari, Italy. Cooked like risotto in a spicy tomato sauce until deliciously crispy, it’s got a smoky kick and irresistible crunch that pasta lovers can’t resist. Perfect for those who like their meals with a little heat and a lot of flavor!
18. Marinara Sauce
This simple marinara is a warm, comforting sauce made with just a handful of fresh ingredients—ripe tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and a touch of basil. Perfectly balanced and bursting with flavor, it’s your go-to for pasta night, pizza, or dipping warm, crusty bread.
19. Homemade Vodka Sauce
Homemade vodka sauce is a creamy, rich tomato-based sauce with a splash of vodka that adds depth and a subtle kick. Blended with garlic, onions, crushed tomatoes, cream, and a touch of Parmesan, it’s the perfect balance of savory and smooth, delicious over pasta and super easy to whip up at home!
20. Bucatini all’Amatrciana
Bucatini all’Amatriciana is a classic Italian pasta dish that’s big on flavor and heart. Made with thick, hollow bucatini noodles, it’s tossed in a rich tomato sauce with crispy guanciale (cured pork cheek), a touch of chili for heat, and finished with a generous sprinkle of Pecorino Romano cheese. Simple, satisfying, and full of traditional Roman charm!
Vegetable, Herb or Nut Sauces
Many of our favorite pasta recipes include veggies, olives, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, and peppers. The possibilities are endless, and recipes can depend on what vegetables are in-season. Another factor can be what marinated Mediterranean goodies are available at your local deli’s olive bar.
21. Pasta alla Norma
Pasta alla Norma is a classic Sicilian dish that brings together tender eggplant, rich tomato sauce, and a sprinkle of salty ricotta salata over perfectly cooked pasta. It’s hearty, flavorful, and full of Mediterranean charm—comfort food with a touch of elegance!
22. Pesto Linguine
Pesto linguine is a vibrant and flavorful pasta dish made with tender linguine noodles tossed in a rich, garlicky basil pesto sauce. It's packed with fresh herbs, a hint of Parmesan, and a touch of olive oil—perfect for a quick, delicious meal that feels both comforting and fresh.
23. Creamy Mushroom Pasta
Creamy mushroom pasta is a comforting, flavor-packed dish made with tender pasta tossed in a rich, velvety sauce loaded with sautéed mushrooms, garlic, and a hint of herbs. It’s the perfect blend of cozy and delicious—great for a quick weeknight dinner or a relaxing weekend treat!
24. Pasta with Pistachio Sauce
Creamy, nutty, and irresistibly delicious—pasta with pistachio sauce is a delightful twist on your favorite comfort food. Blended pistachios create a rich, velvety sauce that hugs every strand of pasta, making each bite a perfect balance of savory and slightly sweet.
25. Butternut Squash Orzo
Creamy, cozy, and full of flavor, this Butternut Squash Orzo is the ultimate comfort dish! Tender orzo pasta is cooked with sweet roasted butternut squash, savory herbs, and a touch of parmesan for a warm, satisfying meal that’s perfect for fall—or anytime you need a bowl of something delicious.