10 Italian sauces that will transform any pasta into a restaurant-worthy meal you can make at home
Sauces are the heart and soul of Italian cuisine. Simple at first glance, yet rich in tradition, technique, and flavor.
From classic recipes passed down through generations to adapted versions that have conquered kitchens around the world, each sauce tells a story and completely transforms the dish.
Learning these recipes is like opening up a whole new repertoire in the kitchen. From the richest to the lightest, you’ll discover 10 Italian sauces—ranging from traditional to modern takes—that make all the difference and elevate any pasta dish to the next level.
Let's start with the pestos
The pesto is one of the most versatile sauces in Italian cuisine and goes far beyond the classic version with basil. With small variations in herbs, nuts, and cheeses, you can create surprising combinations that are full of flavor and perfect for stepping outside the box.
Here you’ll find 8 versions of pesto that show how this simple dish can be transformed to take on new aromas, colors, and textures, bringing more creativity to your everyday cooking.
Stop everything—we're bringing you the BEST sauce in the world for your pasta (no exaggeration): green pesto! No matter how many other flavors we try, we always come running back to a good homemade pesto. And believe us, this recipe is really super...
You probably all know pesto! But have you ever tried red pesto?! It’s a super-easy, quick sauce to make that’s perfect for pasta dishes. All you need to do is take a classic green pesto recipe and add confit tomatoes. Nothing could be simpler for...
If you know classic basil pesto, let yourself be tempted by Calabrian pesto! A delight made from bell pepper and ricotta, not to mention a lot of love and Italian sunshine. It's a treat to serve with pasta, accompanied by extra-creamy burrata. Follow...
An easy-to-make, tasty savory cream. Zucchini pesto can be used on bruschetta, to fill sandwiches , or as a pasta sauce: we used it to dress a delicious pasta salad . What makes this recipe special is that the zucchini is raw , so you won't even...
Looking for the best pesto on earth (along with Calabrese pesto , of course)? Look no further! Pesto di pistacchi (which we love to call “pestoche”) is literally to die for! This easy-to-make recipe takes just a few minutes and is guaranteed to...
Among the original sauces for pasta ... Meet parsley and peanut pesto ! You don't have to use basil to make a delicious pesto with super-fresh flavors that are a change from traditional pesto , in which crunchy peanuts replace the pine nuts! This...
As you know, we're huge fans of pesto ! And since we like to try out all kinds of recipes to accompany our favorite pasta dishes, we had to make this divine recipe for wild garlic pesto :-) There's no connection to the animal, we assure you: wild...
The first time I tasted arugula pesto was by accident. I was convinced it was the classic Genovese pesto , but from the first taste I was struck by its slightly bitter, fresh flavor —different and surprising. Since then, it has become one of my...
Other famous sauces
Tradition also has its place: classics like tomato sauce and alla Norma remain the foundation of many dishes and demonstrate how just a few ingredients, when well combined, can result in recipes full of character.
Get ready to travel straight to Catania in Sicily , where the delicate notes of grilled eggplant , juicy tomatoes and creamy ricotta come together to create a delicious, easy and inexpensive summer pasta dish! This recipe for "Pasta alla Norma"...
This raw tomato sauce is made from peeled tomatoes blended with garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper, without cooking. It's ideal for topping pizza or pinsa dough, providing natural freshness and avoiding overcooking compared with an already-cooked...
Mirella Mendonça
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