Italy is world renowned for its sumptuous and diverse cuisine and a primary reason is its remarkable pasta dishes. A critical component in such dishes is a mouthwatering sauce, and the Italian culture has mastered the art of crafting rich and flavorful pasta sauces. Some sauces are simple combinations of a few ingredients, while others are more intricate compositions that tell a story of Italian tradition. In this article, we will explore some of the best recipes for making rich Italian pasta sauces, encompassing the classic flavors that have made Italian cuisine a global favorite. We will delve into the secrets of creating sauces that bring out the true essence of Italian cooking, transforming a simple pasta dish into a culinary masterpiece.
Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!
GREAT GRANDMA'S PASTA SAUCE
If you want to taste what the Italians are so blessed with over in Italy, I suggest you give this pasta sauce a try. You won't ever go back to your plain 'ol marinara that you thought was good. This sauce here is beyond genuine and you will love it!
Provided by Julie Chiou
Categories Main Course Main Entree
Time 2h10m
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a large stockpot, saute garlic until soft and fragrant in 2 tbsp. of olive oil, about 2 minutes.
- Throw your meat in with the garlic and brown until meat has been thoroughly cooked through, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Pour in the tomato paste, tomato puree, and seasoning, including the fresh basil and sugar. Stir to mix well. With the 6 oz. can from the tomato paste, fill that with water and pour it in the stockpot as well.
- Let mixture simmer, uncovered, for 2 or more hours (the longer the better, but minimum 2 hours), stirring occasionally.
- Serve hot over fresh pasta.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 serving, Calories 263 kcal, Carbohydrate 24 g, Protein 23 g, Fat 9 g, Fiber 5 g, Sugar 15 g
AUTHENTIC (QUICK) ITALIAN TOMATO SAUCE FOR PASTA
NOTE: To enjoy with pasta as soon as the sauce is ready, put a large pot of salted water on the cooktop over high heat and cook the pasta (I prefer De Cecco) as directed (if you are using egg or a very quick cooking pasta, do this about half-way through these directions).
Provided by Christina Conte
Categories Main Courses
Time 15m
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Pour the oil into a large saute pan (not a deep pot) over medium high heat. Crush the garlic and add it to the oil (if you want a spicy sauce, you can add some hot pepper, fresh or flakes, at this point). Saute the garlic until it just starts to brown, then add the parsley.
- Turn the heat up to high. Now add the tomatoes, and quickly cover with the lid for about 30 seconds, until the squirting subsides. Stir with a wooden spoon and lower the heat a little. It is important that this sauce is cooked at a fast simmer, as it is cooked briefly.
- Add the salt and continue to simmer at a fast pace, and stir often.
- The sauce will thicken quickly, so do not overcook it, and have it become too thick; about 5 to 7 minutes should be sufficient.
- Taste the sauce, if it doesn't taste delicious, it probably just needs a little more salt. Turn off the heat and add the fresh basil (I tear mine into pieces). Also, unless absolutely necessary, do not wash your basil. Wipe it with a damp paper towel instead, so the water doesn't ruin the flavor and aroma.
- Add sauce to the drained pasta (save some pasta water to add back into the pasta in case it's too dry), and enjoy immediately with some freshly grated authentic Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and/or pepper.
- Also, if you've been plating pasta in a bowl, then topping it with sauce, this is American-style. If you want to serve it the way they do in Italy, mix the sauce in and then plate it.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 135 calories, Carbohydrate 8 grams carbohydrates, Cholesterol 1 milligrams cholesterol, Fat 12 grams fat, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 2 grams protein, SaturatedFat 2 grams saturated fat, ServingSize 4, Sodium 498 milligrams sodium, Sugar 4 grams sugar, TransFat 0 grams trans fat, UnsaturatedFat 9 grams unsaturated fat
RICH ITALIAN PASTA SAUCE
"I got this recipe 25 years ago from my boyfriend's Italian barber. I've adjusted it a little and now it's my specialty," writes Jeannie Peirce of Brentwood, California. Whip it up for dinner tonight and freeze any remaing sauce for later.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 2h20m
Yield 10 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook beef and onion until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. , Add the tomato sauce, stewed tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar and pepper. Stir in sausage. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. , Stir in parsley and oregano. Serve desired amount with pasta. Cool remaining sauce; transfer to freezer containers. Freeze for up to 3 months., To use frozen sauce: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Place in a saucepan and heat through.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 191 calories, Fat 8g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 36mg cholesterol, Sodium 721mg sodium, Carbohydrate 16g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 15g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
HOMEMADE ITALIAN SPAGHETTI SAUCE RECIPE
Here is my family spaghetti sauce recipe passed down from my grandmother in Italy - it is the best one you will ever cook - don't trust me - try it!
Provided by Lauren Cobello
Time 3h20m
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Heat the olive oil in a 5+ qt. pot over medium heat, and add the onion.
- Saute for 10 minutes or so, stirring often and being careful not to burn it.
- Add the chopped or pressed garlic.
- Heat for another one to two minutes, making sure not to burn the garlic, then add all the tomatoes, salt, black pepper, basil, and sugar. Stirring often, bring to a low boil.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 2-3 hours stirring often.
- For the first half of the simmer time, do so with the pot uncovered, then cover.
- Add the cheese, stir in and simmer for an additional 5 minutes or so.
- This will make the equivalent of 4-5 jars of sauce, and the cost is probably about half (and it tastes way better).
ITALIAN TOMATO SAUCE
Perfect for bolognese, pasta bakes and pizza sauce
Provided by phuddy48
Time 45m
Yield Serves 6
Number Of Ingredients 0
Steps:
- Heat the Olive oil in a Large frying pan/Skillet until very hot.
- Add onions and stir until soft and slightly brown.Turn down the heat and add the garlic and Red wine. Leave for 1-2 mins.
- Add tomatoes, basil, oregano, and bay leaves, turn the heat down and leave to simmer for approx 5 mins stirring occasionally. If using fresh tomatoes allow them to reduce slowly, this will take approx 20 mins.
- Once mixture has simmered add puree and stir in, simmer for a further 5 mins.
- Remove from the heat and cool. Sauce can be refrigerated for use later on, If using for Pizza topping use a blender until smooth and spread on pizza using the back of a spoon. If using for bolognese, brown mince and add when ready.
OLD WORLD ITALIAN SPAGHETTI SAUCE
This is a great old world Family recipe. Its also great with italian sausage,or meatballs. Just stir often while cooking when using meats.
Provided by FarahC
Categories Sauces
Time 3h25m
Yield 12-14 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- In a large stockpot on low-med heat add your olive oil and saute your onions for about 4 minutes,then add your crushed garlic,cook for 2 minutes longer. Then add your water,and tomato products. Be sure to mix everything very well.Add in your spices,and cheese. cook for 2 1/2 hours covered.Then add in your wine, and cook 30 minutes longer. Sauce will be thin on first day.Also if you use meat it will alter thickness.The second day this turns into a nice thick sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 158.6, Fat 5.2, SaturatedFat 1, Cholesterol 1.8, Sodium 647.1, Carbohydrate 25.2, Fiber 5.2, Sugar 9.7, Protein 5.5
WORLD'S BEST PASTA SAUCE!
Well, my Lasagna has become quite popular, and I think the sauce from that makes amazing meat sauce as well. So I thought I would post it by its self.
Provided by John Chandler
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Sauce Recipes Pasta Sauce Recipes Tomato
Time 1h45m
Yield 16
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the sausage, beef, onion, and garlic until well browned; drain fat. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Mix in sugar and season with basil, fennel seed, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 157.4 calories, Carbohydrate 11.9 g, Cholesterol 24 mg, Fat 8.6 g, Fiber 2.3 g, Protein 9.6 g, SaturatedFat 3.1 g, Sodium 672.8 mg, Sugar 5.4 g
WEDDING GIFT SPAGHETTI SAUCE
This recipe was given to me as part of a wedding gift recipe collection from a very dear friend. It is rich, aromatic, flavorful and makes A LOT. So please grab the biggest pot you can find. I mean REALLY BIG. Extra sauce freezes well for future pasta dishes.
Provided by Dog Fish Head aka Fabius
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Sauce Recipes Pasta Sauce Recipes Tomato
Time 2h40m
Yield 30
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat butter and olive oil together with onion and garlic in a large pot over medium heat; cook and stir ground beef and sausage in the onion mixture until browned and crumbly, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir Italian seasoning, salt, rosemary, oregano, and black pepper into ground beef-sausage mixture; simmer for 20 minutes.
- Pour water, tomato puree, and tomato paste into ground beef-sausage mixture; simmer, stirring occasionally, over low heat until flavors have combined, at least 2 hours.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 137.2 calories, Carbohydrate 6.5 g, Cholesterol 26.1 mg, Fat 10.2 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 5.9 g, SaturatedFat 4.2 g, Sodium 564 mg, Sugar 3.6 g
HEARTY HOMEMADE ITALIAN SPAGHETTI SAUCE
Thick, rich, meaty sauce loaded with the flavors of Italy! I finally wrote it down as I went along! PLEASE don't let the list of ingredients scare you off, it's really VERY easy!! You'll never buy "those jars" again! :)
Provided by Wildflour
Categories Sauces
Time 1h5m
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 26
Steps:
- In large mixing bowl, combine well with hands the 2 meats.
- Add to deep, large non-stick skillet. *If not using non-stick pan, add a little olive oil to pan first so it won't stick.
- Sprinkle EVENLY rest of meat mixture ingredients over meats. Stir meats to mix in herbs and spices.
- Cook over medium heat til meat is no longer pink. Break up meat as you go along, but just don't overdo it. You don't want tiny, overly fine pieces.
- Drain grease.
- Pour into large heavy-bottomed pot.
- Add rest of ingredients EXCEPT mushrooms, and stir/fold to mix well.
- Now add the mushrooms! :).
- Heat over medium heat til simmering.
- Lower heat to just a simmer and cook, stirring every so often, for about 30 minutes.
- Serve over hot, cooked and well drained spaghetti, thin spaghetti, mostaccioli, or rotini noodles.
- Serve with tossed salad, garlic bread and parmesan cheese on the side if desired. ENJOY!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 625.2, Fat 34.7, SaturatedFat 12.3, Cholesterol 119.2, Sodium 2590.4, Carbohydrate 37.2, Fiber 6.7, Sugar 21.4, Protein 44.4
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the sauce will be. Use fresh, ripe tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, and fresh herbs.
- Don't skimp on the garlic: Garlic is essential for a flavorful pasta sauce. Use at least two cloves of garlic, and don't be afraid to add more if you like.
- Cook the sauce slowly: Simmering the sauce for at least 30 minutes allows the flavors to develop and deepen. Don't rush this step!
- Season the sauce to taste: Every palate is different, so taste the sauce as you cook it and adjust the seasonings as needed. You may need to add more salt, pepper, or herbs.
- Serve the sauce with your favorite pasta: Pasta is the perfect canvas for a rich Italian pasta sauce. Choose a pasta that will hold up well to the sauce, such as spaghetti, penne, or rigatoni.
Conclusion:
With a little time and effort, you can make a delicious Italian pasta sauce at home. Just follow these tips and you'll be sure to impress your family and friends. So what are you waiting for? Get cooking!
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