10+ Pasta Sauce Recipes to Elevate Your Dinner Game

When you’re looking to make your pasta meals pop, the sauce you pick really matters. Pasta sauce recipes open up a world of flavor—seriously, the right sauce can turn plain noodles into something you’ll crave again and again.

You don’t have to be a pro in the kitchen to try these out. With just a handful of ingredients, you can whip up sauces that fit your mood and taste.

Whether you’re into creamy, tomatoey, or buttery vibes, there’s a sauce here that’ll hit the spot.

1) Classic Italian Tomato Sauce

Classic Italian tomato sauce is about as straightforward as it gets, but it never disappoints. You use fresh or canned tomatoes, cooking them down slowly so their sweetness really comes out.

Start by warming up some olive oil and gently sautéing garlic and onion. Add your tomatoes, then let the whole thing simmer for about an hour.

Slow cooking lets everything blend together. Toss in a pinch of sugar to mellow out the acidity, and finish with fresh basil for that classic aroma.

This sauce works on spaghetti, pizza, or, honestly, any pasta you love.

Ingredients

• 4 cups canned crushed tomatoes or fresh plum tomatoes
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
• Salt to taste
• Fresh basil leaves

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and onion, sauté until soft.
3. Pour in tomatoes and stir.
4. Add sugar and salt.
5. Simmer gently for 60 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Add basil a few minutes before serving.

2) Creamy Garlic Butter Sauce

Creamy garlic butter sauce is super easy and brings a rich, cozy flavor to any pasta. Melt some butter, cook fresh garlic just until your kitchen smells amazing, then pour in cream or broth for a smooth finish.

It’s great for pasta, but honestly, I’ve used it on veggies and even chicken. Super quick—perfect for those nights when you want something good but don’t want to fuss.

You can toss in some parsley or a handful of grated cheese if you’re feeling fancy. The result? Creamy, garlicky, and buttery—but not overwhelming.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream or chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese

Cooking Instructions:

1. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Pour in cream or broth and stir.
4. Simmer gently for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Add parsley or cheese if using, then serve warm.

You can find more details on creamy garlic butter sauce here.

3) World’s Best Meat Sauce with Sausage and Beef

This meat sauce brings together ground beef and Italian sausage for a super satisfying, meaty bite. Mixing both kinds of meat gives you a sauce that’s got depth and balance.

Brown the meat first, then toss in tomatoes and spices. Let it all simmer slowly so the flavors meld together.

Tweak the seasoning to your liking. A little sugar can soften the tomato’s sharpness if you want.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 lb Italian sausage (casings removed)
• 3 cans (8 oz each) tomato sauce
• 2 cans (8 oz each) tomato paste
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp sugar (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Italian seasoning or dried basil and oregano

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown the beef and sausage together until cooked through.
2. Add chopped onion and garlic; cook until soft.
3. Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, and diced tomatoes.
4. Add sugar, salt, pepper, and herbs.
5. Simmer on low heat for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
6. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
7. Serve hot over your favorite pasta.

More details on this type of sauce can be found at World’s Best Pasta Sauce! Recipe – Allrecipes.

4) Three-Ingredient Creamy Pasta Sauce

If you’re short on time and ingredients, this creamy pasta sauce is a lifesaver. Just three things: a jar of pasta sauce, cream cheese, and your cooked pasta.

The cream cheese melts into the sauce, making it super smooth and rich. It’s kind of amazing how good this tastes for how little effort it takes.

You can check out a step-by-step version at 3-Ingredient TikTok Pink Sauce Pasta.

Ingredients

• 1 jar of tomato basil pasta sauce
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 8 oz cooked pasta

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat the pasta sauce in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add the cream cheese and stir until melted and smooth.
3. Toss in cooked pasta and mix well.
4. Serve warm.

5) Fresh Basil Pesto Sauce

Fresh basil pesto is bright, herby, and just wakes up any dish. Blend fresh basil with garlic, Parmesan, nuts, and olive oil, and you get a sauce that’s nutty, fresh, and a little decadent.

A food processor makes this quick work. Toast the nuts first for more flavor, and don’t over-blend—pesto’s best with a little texture left.

If you want to switch it up, add a splash of cream or swap out some oil for creaminess. Pesto is best fresh, but it’ll keep for a few days in the fridge.

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh basil leaves
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup pine nuts or walnuts, toasted
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Toast nuts in a pan over medium heat (about 325°F / 160°C) until golden, around 3-5 minutes.
2. Add basil, garlic, nuts, and Parmesan to a food processor.
3. Pulse until coarsely chopped.
4. Slowly add olive oil while blending until sauce is smooth but still slightly chunky.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately or refrigerate.

For more ideas on making pesto, visit this basil pesto recipe.

6) Vodka Cream Sauce

Vodka cream sauce is a classic for a reason. It’s creamy, tangy, and has just a hint of vodka (don’t worry, the booze cooks off).

Start by sautéing onions and garlic. Add tomatoes, vodka, and cream, then simmer until everything thickens and clings to your pasta.

This sauce works best with shapes like penne or rigatoni. Add extra garlic or onion if you want more punch.

Ingredients:

• Olive oil
• Butter
• Onion, finely chopped
• Garlic cloves, minced
• Vodka
• Tomato sauce
• Heavy cream
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil and butter in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add onion and garlic, cook until soft.
3. Pour in vodka and simmer for 1-2 minutes.
4. Stir in tomato sauce and cook for 5 minutes.
5. Mix in heavy cream and simmer gently for 5 more minutes.
6. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

7) Roasted Garlic Parmesan Sauce

Roasted garlic Parmesan sauce is creamy, dreamy, and loaded with flavor. Roast a head of garlic until it’s soft and sweet, then mash it into cream and Parmesan.

This sauce feels a bit fancy, but it’s honestly pretty easy. It’s awesome on fettuccine, penne, or even drizzled over roasted veggies.

You’ll get a mellow, almost caramel-like garlic taste that’s not harsh at all. Takes about 15 minutes if you already have roasted garlic on hand.

Ingredients

• 1 head of garlic
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Cut the top off the garlic head, drizzle with olive oil, and wrap in foil.
3. Roast for 30-35 minutes until garlic is soft.
4. Squeeze out the roasted garlic into a saucepan.
5. Add cream and warm gently over medium heat.
6. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted.
7. Season with salt and pepper, then toss with pasta.

For a detailed recipe, check out this roasted garlic Parmesan sauce recipe.

8) Spicy Calabrian Chili Tomato Sauce

If you like a little fire with your pasta, this one’s for you. Calabrian chilis bring heat, but they don’t drown out the bright tomato flavor.

Garlic and onion round out the sauce, making everything come together. It’s great for a quick weeknight dinner.

Try it with rigatoni or any shape that holds onto sauce. If the spice gets too much, a drizzle of honey can balance things out.

Cherry tomatoes or canned San Marzano tomatoes both work. Just toss in the crushed chilis and you’re good.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cherry tomatoes or 1 (28 oz) can whole San Marzano tomatoes
• 3-4 tablespoons crushed Calabrian chilis
• 1 medium yellow onion, minced
• 4-6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
• Pinch of black pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
2. Add onion and garlic; cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in tomatoes and crushed chilis.
4. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until sauce thickens.
5. Add honey and pepper, then taste and adjust seasoning.
6. Serve over cooked pasta.

For a recipe inspiration, check this Spicy Calabrian Chili Pasta.

9) Homemade Marinara Sauce

Making marinara at home really is easy, and honestly, it tastes so much better than store-bought. Start by sautéing garlic and onion in olive oil—smells amazing, right?

That combo creates a flavorful base. Next, toss in canned whole peeled tomatoes and break them up as they cook.

Add a bit of fresh basil or dried herbs for extra kick. Let the sauce simmer gently for 30-45 minutes.

Just give it a stir now and then. You can spoon this over pasta, pizza, or even use it as a dip—whatever you like.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 can (28 oz) whole peeled tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried basil or 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
3. Pour in the canned tomatoes and crush them with a spoon.
4. Stir in basil and salt.
5. Simmer uncovered for 30-45 minutes on low heat, stirring occasionally.

10) Slow-Simmered Herb and Tomato Sauce

Start by gently cooking garlic and onion until they’re soft and fragrant. That’s when you know you’re off to a good start.

Add whole peeled tomatoes—San Marzano are fantastic if you can find them. Sprinkle in fresh herbs like basil, oregano, and a touch of thyme.

Let the sauce simmer on low for at least two hours. The slow cook really brings out a deep, rich flavor and thickens everything up.

Taste as it cooks and adjust the salt and pepper. You’ll end up with a smooth, herby tomato sauce that’s honestly hard to beat.

Ingredients

• 4 cups whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp fresh thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat some olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Aim for about 350°F (175°C), but honestly, just get it hot—not smoking.

2. Toss in the garlic and onion. Sauté until they soften, which usually takes about 5 minutes.

3. Add the tomatoes and your favorite herbs right into the pan.

4. Wait until everything starts to simmer. Then, turn the heat down low—around 200°F (95°C) works.

5. Let it simmer, uncovered, for 2 hours. Stir now and then so nothing sticks or burns.

6. Before serving, season with salt and pepper to taste.