Originally from Italy, pasta is one of the most common choices of noodle around the world and there are over 600 types of pasta to choose from!
There are also many different types of pasta sauce and we’ve rounded up the most common types of pasta sauce, so that you can make sure you’ve tried them all.
There are, of course, many more types of pasta sauce out there and, in fact, people are inventing new sauces every day but these common types of pasta sauce should be a great way to get started trying new pasta dishes.
Alfredo
Alfredo is a creamy rich pasta sauce made from butter, cream, cheese, garlic and seasoning.
It has a white color, unlike most pasta sauces, and can be used as a base for other more advanced creamy pasta sauces too.
Amatriciana
This is one of Italy’s best kept secrets but this sauce is amazing and the pig cheeks (guanciale) are a key ingredient in the flavor.
Use a tomato sauce, some olive oil, garlic and guanciale and some seasoning and you’re good to go.
Bean
This is, essentially, a vegan alternative to a bolognese and it’s super easy to make.
Just switch out some beans for the meat and you’re golden.
Just add them 5 minutes from the end of the cooking time.
Bechamel
The creamiest of pasta sauces is a bechamel and it’s absolutely gorgeous to eat.
It’s also super easy to prepare. You need garlic, white wine, milk, olive oil, salt, flour, pepper and butter.
Melt the butter, take it off the heat, add the flour and whisk it thoroughly then add the milk until you get the consistency you want and then add everything else.
Have it with chicken, mushrooms, etc. or whatever you want.
Bolognese
The most common sauce of them all, tomato based with some lovely ground beef, pour it over spaghetti, and enjoy!
Frutti Di Mare
This is based around the Marinara sauce but with mussels, scallops, shrimps and anchovy fillets with a little hit of clam juice and white wine too.
The name means “fruits of the sea” and that’s what it takes to make a beautiful sauce.
Funghi E Piselli
This is a rich, creamy pasta that tastes amazing, if you want to make a vegan version – use a heavy cream substitute.
Then it’s all about making a cream sauce and adding mushrooms and onions to the final mix. Yum.
Marinara
This is the easiest pasta sauce to make.
Take tomatoes, onions, oregano (dried), garlic, olive oil, some chili flakes and salt and then throw them all in a pot and simmer for 45 minutes.
Remove the onions at the end and you’re ready to rock.
Pesto
Grind pine nuts and garlic in a mortar and pestle to make a paste.
Add some Basil and then grind again.
Then add some olive oil, parmesan and salt to taste. That’s it. Pesto is easy to make too.
That green color is super distinctive and it tastes amazing.
Pomodoro
Pomodoro sauce is a Marinara with Kosher Salt, Parmesan, and Basil.
Add the basil towards the end of the simmering process and then sprinkle with parmesan as you serve.
Roasted Tomato
Need pasta without effort? Chop some tomatoes in half and put them on a baking dish.
Then add garlic, seasoning and lightly coat in olive oil and then bake them for 4 hours.
Then throw them in a blender and use the resulting puree as a sauce. Easy, right?
Salsa Di Noci
Salsa Di Noci is a walnut and cream pasta sauce, it has quite a lot in common with a bechamel sauce.
But you begin by blending white bread, walnuts and milk and then adding the other ingredients to the right consistency.
Then you cut the fat with a little lemon juice at the end.
Tartufata
As this recipe requires black truffles, it’s a bit on the expensive side but it’s easy to make.
Add black truffle meal to butter and then add a little water from your cooking pasta.
Stir it well to form a sauce.
Then pour the cooked pasta into the sauce and add a little olive oil.
Finally, serve under grated parmesan.
Vegan Tomato
Fry some garlic in olive oil. Add a tin of tomatoes.
Then season, add chili flakes and a cup of water and simmer for 45 minutes.
Then add some sugar and basil just before the end of the simmering time.
Serve on any pasta that you like. Being vegan is super easy.
Umbrian Ragu
This is a prosciutto and pork based tomato sauce that is absolutely delicious.
You can see how to make it on YouTube here.
Pasta is often seen to be a bit “boring” but that’s because we don’t push ourselves to get the most out of it. As you can see, there are more than enough pasta sauces to keep even the pickiest of palates entertained for a long time.
*Want to know more about pasta? Then check out these Italian food blogs and these Italian cookbooks!