From grandma's recipe box
Pasta Sauces Recipes
A good sauce turns plain pasta into dinner. Here are simple tomato, creamy, garlic and meat sauces you can make on a weeknight.
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About Pasta Sauces
Pasta sauces are built on a few basics: tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, onion, herbs, and sometimes cream, cheese or ground meat. Most simmer gently on the stove while the pasta cooks. A slow simmer brings out sweetness and depth.
This category is about the sauce itself, not the whole dish. Baked pasta and lasagna use sauce in the oven, noodle soups are brothy, and stir-fried noodles use Asian-style sauces. These sauces are the ones you spoon over spaghetti, penne or any shape you like.
Questions folks ask
How long should I simmer tomato sauce?
A simple sauce takes about 20 to 30 minutes. A meat sauce tastes better with an hour or more on low heat.
How do I thicken pasta sauce?
Simmer it with the lid off so extra water cooks away. A spoonful of tomato paste also helps.
Can I store homemade pasta sauce?
Yes. Keep it in the fridge for a few days, or freeze it in a sealed container for longer.
Kitchen tips
- Cook onion and garlic gently. Browned garlic turns bitter.
- Simmer tomato sauce longer for a thicker, sweeter taste.
- Add a pinch of sugar if canned tomatoes taste sharp.
- Finish the sauce in the pan with the pasta and a splash of pasta water.
- Make a big batch and freeze it in small containers.