20 Types of Pasta Sauce For Your Dinner Inspirations

Dive into the rich and varied world of pasta sauces with these 20 mouthwatering options. From the comforting taste of marinara to the indulgent creaminess of Alfredo, this guide offers a flavorful journey that will elevate your pasta dishes.

Marinara Sauce

What is it: Marinara is a classic tomato-based sauce known for its simplicity and rich, tangy flavor. Made from tomatoes, garlic, onions, and a blend of herbs like basil and oregano, it is perfect for those who love a fresh, tomato-forward taste.
How to make: To make it, sauté garlic and onions in olive oil, add crushed tomatoes and simmer with herbs until the sauce thickens.

Alfredo Sauce

What is it: Alfredo is a creamy, indulgent sauce made from butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Its rich, buttery flavor pairs beautifully with fettuccine and other flat pasta.
How to make: To prepare, melt butter in a pan, add cream, and cook until slightly thickened before stirring in grated Parmesan until smooth and creamy.

Pesto Sauce

What is it: Pesto is a vibrant green sauce bursting with the fresh flavors of basil, garlic, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese, all blended with olive oil. It’s known for its aromatic, herbaceous taste and is best served with pasta like trofie or fusilli.
How to make: To make pesto, blend fresh basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts, and Parmesan, then slowly add olive oil until a smooth paste forms.

Bolognese Sauce

What is it: Bolognese is a hearty meat sauce from Bologna, Italy. It’s made with ground beef or pork, tomatoes, onions, carrots, celery, and red wine, resulting in a rich, savory flavor.
How to make: Start by sautéing onions, carrots, and celery. Add ground meat and cook until browned, then stir in tomatoes and wine, simmering until thickened.

Carbonara Sauce

What is it: Carbonara is a creamy, egg-based sauce featuring pancetta, Parmesan, and black pepper. It is creamy and has a rich, salty, and savory taste.
How to make: To make it, cook pancetta until crispy, mix beaten eggs with Parmesan, and toss with hot pasta and pancetta, letting the heat of the pasta create the creamy sauce.

Arrabbiata Sauce

What is it: Arrabbiata, meaning “angry” in Italian, is a spicy tomato sauce made with garlic, tomatoes, and red chili peppers. The sauce has a fiery kick, making it ideal for those who enjoy bold, spicy flavors.
How to make: Sauté garlic and red chili flakes in olive oil, add crushed tomatoes and simmer until the sauce is thick and spicy.

Puttanesca Sauce

What is it: Puttanesca is a robust, tangy sauce made with tomatoes, olives, capers, garlic, and anchovies. Its savory, salty flavor with a hint of brininess makes it perfect for pairing with spaghetti.
How to make: Sauté garlic and anchovies in olive oil, add tomatoes, olives, and capers, and simmer until the sauce is thick and aromatic.

Aglio e Olio

What is it: Aglio e Olio is a simple yet flavorful sauce made from garlic, olive oil, and red pepper flakes. It’s known for its mild, garlicky flavor with a hint of heat.
How to make: Sauté thinly sliced garlic in olive oil until golden, add red pepper flakes, and toss with pasta for a quick and tasty dish.

Vodka Sauce

What is it: Vodka sauce is a rich, creamy tomato sauce with a hint of sharpness from the vodka. It’s made with tomatoes, cream, and vodka, resulting in a silky, smooth texture and balanced flavor.
How to make: To make, sauté onions and garlic, add vodka and reduce, then stir in tomatoes and cream, simmering until the sauce is thick and velvety.

Romano Sauce

What is it: Romano sauce is a creamy, cheesy sauce made with Pecorino Romano cheese, cream, and garlic. It’s rich and savory with a sharp, tangy flavor from the cheese.
How to make: Sauté garlic in butter, add cream, and simmer until slightly thickened, then stir in grated Romano cheese until smooth.

Genovese Sauce

What is it: Genovese sauce is a slow-cooked, onion-based sauce with a subtle sweetness and deep, rich flavor. It’s made with onions, beef, and white wine, simmered for hours to create a complex and savory sauce.
How to make: Sauté onions and beef until browned, add wine, and simmer until the onions melt into the sauce.

Amatriciana Sauce

What is it: Amatriciana is a robust, tomato-based sauce with a smoky, spicy flavor from guanciale (cured pork cheek) and red pepper flakes. It’s a traditional sauce from Amatrice, Italy, often served with bucatini.
How to make: Sauté the guanciale until crispy, add the tomatoes and red pepper flakes, and simmer until the sauce is rich and flavorful.

Bechamel Sauce

What is it: Bechamel, also known as white sauce, is a creamy, smooth sauce made from butter, flour, and milk. It’s a versatile base sauce used in many pasta dishes and offers a mild, buttery flavor.
How to make: Melt butter, stir in flour to form a roux, then gradually whisk in milk, cooking until thickened and smooth.

Gorgonzola Sauce

What is it: Gorgonzola sauce is a creamy, tangy sauce made with Gorgonzola cheese, cream, and garlic. The blue cheese’s bold, rich flavor makes it perfect for pairing with gnocchi or penne.
How to make: Melt the Gorgonzola in cream, add garlic, and cook until smooth and creamy.

Walnut Sauce

What is it: Walnut sauce is a creamy, nutty sauce made from ground walnuts, garlic, Parmesan, and cream. It’s rich and earthy, offering a unique flavor that pairs well with stuffed pasta like ravioli.
How to make: Blend walnuts, garlic, and Parmesan, then mix with cream until smooth and thick.

Brown Butter Sage Sauce

What is it: Brown Butter Sage is a simple, nutty sauce made from browned butter and fresh sage leaves. It has a deep, rich flavor with a hint of earthiness from the sage, making it ideal for delicate pasta like gnocchi.
How to make: Cook butter until it turns golden brown, add sage leaves, and toss with pasta for a simple yet flavorful dish.

Sugo alla Norma

What is it: Sugo alla Norma is a traditional Sicilian tomato sauce made with fried eggplant, tomatoes, and ricotta salata cheese. It has a rich, tangy flavor with a hint of smokiness from the eggplant.
How to make: Sauté eggplant until golden, add tomatoes, and simmer until thickened, then top with ricotta salata.

Tomato and Basil Sauce

What is it: Tomato and Basil sauce is a fresh, light sauce made from ripe tomatoes and fragrant basil. It’s simple yet flavorful, with a bright, herbaceous taste that complements most pasta types.
How to make: Sauté garlic in olive oil, add chopped tomatoes, and simmer until soft, then stir in fresh basil for a burst of freshness.

Cacio e Pepe Sauce

What is it: Cacio e Pepe is a simple yet flavorful sauce from Roman cuisine. Translating to “cheese and pepper,” this sauce is made by tossing hot pasta with Pecorino Romano cheese and freshly cracked black pepper. The heat from the pasta melts the cheese, creating a creamy, peppery sauce that clings to each strand.

Various Types of Pasta

Explore 40 various types of pasta that are perfect with these delicious sauces.