20 Different Types of Pasta Sauce You Should Try

It’s impossible to know just how many types of pasta sauces there are, but it’s safe to say it’s in the hundreds. Whether you’re making one from your great aunt’s recipe from the old country or buying a jar of sauce at your local grocery store, there are different types of pasta sauces for every taste, palate, and eating preference. 

Types of pasta sauce with tomato 

These tomato-based sauces will add a bit of tang to your pasta. 

1. Amatriciana

Made with lots of fresh tomatoes plus bacon and onion, this sauce is flavorful and filling. Serve it with grated pecorino romano cheese.

2. Arrabbiata

Similar to a basic marina sauce, arrabbiata sauce uses garlic, tomato, and olive oil but then adds a touch of spice with red chili pepper. Arrabbiata sauce can be used in baked pasta dishes and compliments vegetable noodles. 

3. Bolognese

This is a classic pasta sauce that comes from Bologna, Italy, and is used with fettuccini, spaghetti, or tagliatelle pasta. It’s a heavy sauce full of ground beef. 

4. Clam sauce

Clam sauce starts with a nice thick red pasta sauce (white sauce can also be used) and adds clams for a rich flavor. Serve over linguine or spaghetti noodles and fresh garlic bread on the side. 

5. Marinara

This is actually an American take on Italian pasta sauces and incorporated lots of garlic and herbs into a tomato sauce. Marinara sauce can be used in various baked meat and vegetable dishes and is also perfect with spaghetti noodles. 

6. Puttanesca

You’ll find the common Italian pasta sauce ingredients in a puttanesca sauce: tomato, garlic, and olive oil, but there are also capers, red peppers, and anchovies. There’s only a small amount of anchovy, which is used to add a salty, briny flavor to the sauce. 

7. Ragu

A ragu sauce is heavy on the meat, light on tomatoes, and includes herbs and spices. Typically beef is used, but ground pork, chicken, and veal may be used. 

Types of pasta sauce with cream and butter

Rich and creamy is what you’ll find with all of these sauces that use cream, butter, or both to cover your pasta with rich flavor. 

1. Alfredo

A good alfredo sauce starts with generous amounts of both cream and butter to create a thick, wholesome sauce that pairs well with a long noodle such as linguine. Add chicken or shrimp to the pasta for a protein-packed meal.

2. Brown butter sauce

Rich with a nutty flavor from the browned butter, this sauce is a decadent addition to your pasta. Spice it up with a bit of black pepper and enjoy with a side salad to counterbalance the richness. 

3. Burro

Fresh butter and grated parmesan cheese are the key ingredients in this luscious sauce that goes well with small pasta shapes. 

4. Cacio e pepe

This is a simple pasta topping that is put over hot spaghetti noodles to create a sauce. Ingredients include black pepper and cheese for creamy texture with a bit of a kick.

5. Carbonara

Similar to alfredo, carbonara pasta sauce includes butter and cream but also uses egg. The addition of egg causes the sauce to stick to the pasta. Pork and bacon are typical additions to pasta dishes that use carbonara sauce. 

Types of pasta sauce with oil

If you haven’t tried a pasta sauce that uses oil, the time is now. The oil is typically light and adds to the medley of flavors in the sauce. 

1. Aglio e olio

This Italian classic is simple: it’s a combination of garlic and olive oil. For extra flavor, you can add some chili flakes and parmesan cheese.

2. Cilantro lime sauce

This avocado oil-based sauce with fragrant cilantro and tangy lime juice is the perfect compliment for a cold noodle dish. Serve as a side dish, or add grilled chicken or salmon pieces to create a main dish.  

3. Pesto

Basil gives pesto sauce a lovely green color, and the pine nuts, cheese, and olive oil create a distinct flavor. Keep a jar of pesto on hand for a quick weeknight dinner. Simply boil some small pasta noodles, drain, and top with pesto.

Vegan and vegetarian types of pasta sauce

Vegetarian sauces are plentiful. When in doubt, take a look at the ingredient list to ensure it’s compliant with your vegan or vegetarian lifestyle. 

1. Funghi e Piselli

Fresh mushrooms and peas are cooked al dente and onion and garlic to create a chunky vegetable-laden sauce.  Serve it over short or small pasta shapes like rigatoni or pasta shells.  

2. Pomodoro

Grape tomatoes, garlic, and basil are cooked together to create the chunky Pomodoro sauce.  Serve with or without cheese as a garnish.

3. Tartufata

A decadent truffle sauce, tartufata is made with truffles, garlic, olive oil, and marsala or white wine.  Look for imported varieties from Italy for the most authentic flavor. 

4. Roasted red pepper sauce

Pasta sauce that includes roasted red pepper tends to be less acidic with a slightly sweet flavor that’s produced as the peppers are roasted. 

5. Walnut sauce

This hearty and protein-packed sauce is entirely vegan and heart-healthy. It combines walnuts, pine nuts, onions, garlic, and parsley for a condiment that can be used on all types of noodles, as well as gnocchi.

Get pasta essentials delivered to your door

Pasta is so versatile and usually cooks up in less than 20 minutes, making it a great main dish option any time of the week. Having a variety of pasta sauces and noodles on hand will ensure there’s something to cook, even on the busiest nights. To save even more time, you can order your groceries online with Instacart and have them delivered right to your home.  In a hurry?  Choose “in-store” pick-up, and your order will be packed and ready for you to take home in two hours or less.

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Red On the Vine Tomato (50 ct)

AJ's Organic Arrabbiata Pasta Sauce (25 oz)

Vito Marcello Marinara Sauce, Tomato Basil (26 oz)

Emeril's Pasta Sauce, Puttanesca (25 oz)

Prego Carbonara Sauce (15 oz)

Classico Signature Recipes Traditional Basil Pesto Sauce & Spread, 8.1 oz Jar (8.1 oz)

Mongetto Vegetarian Tomato Antipasto (10.2 oz)

Urbani Truffles Tomatoes & Truffles Sauce (370 g)

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