Made with pimento-stuffed green olives, pine nuts, garlic, capers, basil, Parmesan-Reggiano cheese, olive oil
Time: under 30 minutes
Pasta Sauces
Without the sauce, it's just a pile of noodles!
There are three main types of pasta sauces: tomato, cream, and oil based. When pairing a sauce with the pasta the general rule of thumb is to use light sauces with more delicate pastas (angel hair with pesto sauce) and heartier sauces with the sturdier pastas (rotini with a chunky tomato sauce). This isn't a firm rule by any means but proper pairings will make eating the pasta easier!
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tomato-based sauces
The tomato based sauces are most common for spaghetti and lasagna. The encompass a wide range of flavors and ingredients from a simple meatless marinara to a chunky beef tomato sauce loaded with vegetables.
cream sauces
Cream sauces are often made with heavy cream, milk, or cream cheese. The most popular ones are Alfredo sauce or a simple white sauce like bechamel. Poultry, fish, and seafood go well in these pasta dishes.
oil based sauces
Oil based pasta sauces include pesto or a simple butter and oil mixture meant to coat the pasta without weighing it down. The butter and oil are good carriers of flavor so any added garlic or spices are boldly featured.
Green Olive & Basil Pesto
Basil Cream Sauce
Made with light cream, salt and pepper, basil, garlic, olive oil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Cinnamon-Lamb Pasta Sauce
Made with feta cheese, crushed tomatoes, ground lamb, oregano, yellow onions, ground cinnamon, spaghetti, black pepper, garlic
Method: stovetop
Time: 2-5 hours
Slow Cooker Eggplant Spaghetti Sauce
Made with salt, eggplant, onion, garlic, stewed tomatoes, mushroom pieces, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried parsley, Italian seasoning
Method: crock pot
Time: 2-5 hours
Meatless Bolognese Sauce
Made with steak, English onion, celery, carrot, garlic, mushrooms, tomato puree, red wine, chopped tomatoes, nutmeg
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
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Creamy Tomato And Basil Sauce For Pasta
Made with fresh parsley, Roma tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, heavy cream, salt and pepper, Parmesan cheese
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Nutty Basil Pesto
This version of pesto calls for miso which has lots of concentrated flavor in it. If you don't have miso on hand, try substituting tahini for it.
Time: under 30 minutes
Sun-Dried Tomato And Olive Pesto
Made with red wine vinegar, garlic, shallots, sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, fresh parsley, black olives, pine nuts
Time: under 30 minutes
Meatless Spaghetti Sauce
Made with tomato paste, dried oregano, onions, garlic, vegetable oil, tomatoes, basil, sugar, salt, parsley
Method: stovetop
Time: 1-2 hours
Thick 'N' Hearty Spaghetti Sauce
Made with basil, garlic, onion, green bell pepper, celery, carrot, tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, parsley, lemon peel
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Raw Vegan Cilantro Pesto
Made with sea salt, water, garlic, cilantro leaves, almonds, Parma, olive oil, lemon juice
Time: under 30 minutes
This Italian cheese is so versatile that it can be used in both sweet and savory recipes from cheesecakes to lasagnas.
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A can of cream of mushroom soup can be a real dinner saver. It works great in casseroles and can turn into a sauce or gravy in a pinch.