23 pasta sauce recipes
Coat your pappardelle or spaghetti in rich, slow-cooked ragu, fresh and speedy pesto, spicy tomato sauce and more delicious homemade pasta sauces
Looking for a tomato pasta sauce? Want to make the perfect Italian pasta sauce? Try our easy homemade pasta sauces below, then check out our homemade pasta recipes as well as our best passata recipes.
Want to take your pasta dish to the next level? Make a meal of it and pair with a classic negroni cocktail (recipe here), then serve one of these Italian desserts.
Homemade pasta sauce recipes
Easy bolognese sauce
Our all-in-one baked bolognese is super simple, low in calories, requires very little preparation time and tastes amazing.
Homemade pesto sauce
Pesto is pasta's very best friend. Make it as good as possible with fresh basil, pine nuts, olive oil and parmesan.
Vegan pesto
Packed full of flavour with creaminess from pine nuts, you’d never guess that this pesto was vegan.
Kale pasta sauce
Give your pasta a striking colour from this earthy kale sauce, sprinkled with pecorino for an umami tang. This recipe comes from nose-to-tail Italian restaurant, Manteca.
White sauce
Use this versatile base in a range of cheesy pasta creations – it’s a simple recipe that’s worth keeping in your back pocket.
Cheese sauce
Use this staple sauce in pasta recipes to make comforting dishes oozing with cheese.
Kale pesto
Swap basil for kale to make this vibrant Italian sauce – toss through spaghetti, add to pastry tarts, or stir through baked gnocchi.
Béchamel sauce for lasagne
The secret to a perfectly smooth béchamel sauce is to add the milk slowly, and whisk vigorously in between each addition. This means the roux can fully absorb into the milk. Take your time! Use this sauce to make our classic lasagne.
Pistachio and kale pesto pasta
Opt for seasonal kale pesto, which is a great match with burrata, rye bread, and lemon. It's also perfect for a winter twist in soups, meatballs, or on pizzas.
Spaghetti and meatballs
Check out this recipe for the Italian classic, spaghetti and meatballs, packed with plenty of flavour and topped with nutty parmesan.
Cacio e pepe sauce
This classic Tuscan pasta sauce made using black pepper and Parmesan cheese is super simple but extremely indulgent. This iconic recipe comes from Borough Market's Padella.
Smoky sausage ragu
The best sausage pasta sauce. Add a hint of smoked paprika and fennel seeds for a much more interesting sauce than you can buy in the shops.
Pea and mint pesto sauce
This fresh-flavoured pasta sauce is super quick and easy – perfect to throw together for the family after work. Pine nuts add a bit of welcome crunch to the pesto sauce.
Creamy butternut squash sauce
The flavour of this pasta dish far outweighs its simplicity. Just don’t rush the cooking and it will all pay off.
Penne alla vodka (vodka pasta)
Vodka combines with tomato passata to create a silky, slurpable sauce that clings well to pasta. Don't worry, the alcohol evaporates during cooking.
Chilli tomato pasta sauce
Try this prawn linguine recipe for a simple tomato sauce with a chilli kick. It's so delicious you'll forget that you're being virtuous.
One-pot tomato and basil pasta
Pasta and sauce all cooked in one pot? Sounds mad but it works. Try Sabrina Fauda-Rôle's tomato and basil pasta recipe tonight.
Puttanesca sauce
This one-pot puttanesca makes a really easy midweek meal for one. The pasta soaks up the flavours, and the starch makes the sauce rich and creamy.
Mushroom bolognese sauce
Make your bolognese sauce meat-free with a rich ragu of dried porcini and chestnut mushrooms and plenty of vegetables. A low-fat, vegan meal.
Sicilian pistachio sauce
Have a go at our Sicilian pistachio pasta sauce, one of the most divine pasta dishes the island has to offer. The ingredients are simple and it's ready in 20 minutes.
One-pot pasta with goat’s cheese and spinach
This recipe combines wilted spinach and soft goat's cheese to create a creamy and rich sauce. Garnish with some extra parmesan and enjoy as a super simple midweek meal.
Best spaghetti bolognese
We've perfected a true family favourite and even have tips on how to easily make it in a slow cooker. This recipe is the ultimate hearty midweek comfort food.
Slow and low goat ragu with orecchiette
Check out this rich and flavoursome melt-in-the-mouth goat ragu. It may take a little time but you're sure to impress.
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