The Best Authentic Italian Pasta Sauces from Scratch

Pasta sauces are the foundation of manygreat Italian dishes. Making them from scratch at home allows you to control the quality of ingredients and customize flavors to your taste. The rich, complex tastes of homemade sauces made the traditional way can’t be replicated by jarred varieties.

Benefits of Homemade Pasta Sauce

Creating your own Italian pasta sauce has many advantages over store-bought.

• Use high quality ingredients – Make your sauce with fresh vegetables, herbs, spices, tomatoes and olive oil for optimal flavor. Avoid preservatives, thickeners and sugars found in jarred sauces.
• Control seasoning – Adjust salt, pepper and herbs to match your preferences. Add more garlic and red pepper flakes for extra punch.
• Customize flavors – Mix and match ingredients to create unique flavor combinations. Intensify tastes with long simmering times.
• Healthier options – Homemade sauce allows you to skip ingredients like high fructose corn syrup. Boost nutrition with veggie blends.
• Save money – Preparing your own sauce costs a fraction compared to pre-made. Making big batches allows for easy reheating.

Essential Italian Pasta Sauce Ingredients

High quality extra virgin olive oil forms the flavor base of great pasta sauce. Garlic and onions add aromatic depth. Canned or fresh San Marzano tomatoes provide richness. Fresh herbs like basil, oregano and parsley brighten flavors. Seasonings like salt, pepper and red pepper flakes enhance tastes.

Classic Italian Pasta Sauce Recipes

Here are 3 quintessential homemade pasta sauce recipes to add to your dinner rotation.

Marinara Sauce

The simple marinara is the perfect beginner red sauce. Its quick preparation and clean tomato flavor make it extremely versatile.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped basil for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Cook the onion for 5 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
2. Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, salt and pepper. Simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
3. Remove from heat and adjust seasoning. Garnish with fresh basil.

Bolognese Sauce

This rich, meaty tomato sauce is incredibly satisfying. The long simmering develops deep savory flavors.

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1 carrot, peeled and diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1⁄2 cup dry red wine
• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1⁄4 cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrot and celery. Cook 5 minutes.
2. Add ground beef. Cook until no longer pink, about 10 minutes.
3. Add wine and simmer 2 minutes to reduce. Stir in tomatoes, broth, salt and pepper.
4. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low. Simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
5. Remove from heat and stir in heavy cream. Adjust seasoning.

Vodka Sauce

This tomato sauce is spiked with vodka for a bite. The dairy provides a silky finish.

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1⁄2 yellow onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1⁄4 cup vodka
• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1⁄4 cup chopped fresh basil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Sauté onion 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
2. Carefully pour in vodka and simmer 2 minutes.
3. Add tomatoes, cream and tomato paste. Stir well and simmer 20 minutes.
4. Remove from heat. Stir in basil and season with salt and pepper.

Conclusion

Homemade Italian tomato sauce is simple to prepare from fresh ingredients. Core recipes like marinara, Bolognese and vodka sauce offer foolproof ways to create rich, authentic flavor. The taste of slow-simmered sauce made with care is truly unbeatable. Give these recipes a try to bring scratch-made pasta sauces into your home kitchen.