Best Italian Pasta Sauce Recipes

PASTA SAUCE WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Removed casing from sausage links and cut into 1/2 inch slices. In a large skillet, brown sausage over medium heat for about 10 minutes; remove and set aside.
• In a large skillet, heat ground beef, olive oil, garlic and onion over medium heat until meat is nicely browned; drain.
• Pour in tomatoes and tomato sauce; mix in salt, ground black pepper, basil, oregano, bay leaf and cooked sausage. Simmer uncovered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• Mix cooked sauce with hot pasta and remove bay leaf from sauce before serving.

ITALIAN PASTA SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir onion and garlic in hot oil until the onion is translucent, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Sit tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, wine, tomato paste, chicken bouillon granules, basil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper with the onion mixture. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat to low, and cook at a simmer, stirring frequently, for 1 hour.

KITTENCAL'S ITALIAN TOMATO PASTA SAUCE AND PARMESAN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Prepare the meatball recipe as directed on the recipe; transfer to a plate cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use (the meatballs may be prepared up to 1 day in advance).
• Drain the diced tomatoes over a strainer.
• Coat bottom of large heavy-bottomed pot with olive oil, heat over medium heat.
• Saute onion with bay leaf, oregano, basil, salt, black pepper and crushed chili peppers for about 5-7 minutes or until the onions are transparent.
• Add in fresh garlic; cook stirring for 2 minutes.
• Add the tomato paste;mix and stir for about 2 minutes or until well combined with the onion mixture.
• Add in the wine; stir well to combine.
• Add the 2 cans crushed tomatoes (can use 3 cans if you are freezing some sauce) and the drained diced tomatoes, stir and bring to a light boil; boil for 5-8 minutes then reduce heat to low.
• Add in uncooked meatballs to the sauce (if you are adding the meatballs uncooked do not stir for 30 minutes or you may run the risk of them falling apart in the simmering sauce).
• Simmer uncovered on low heat for about 3-5 hours (the longer you simmer uncovered the thicker and richer your sauce will be so don't be afraid to simmer even 6 hours!) adding more salt if desired.
• Skim off any fat that might gather on top of sauce.
• Allow to cool to room temperature then refrigerate (with the meatballs in the sauce) a minimum of 1 day or up to 4 days before using.
• Use as much as desired then freeze the rest for another meal, just reheat the sauce on top of the stove or heat in microwave (this will freeze well for up to 6 months).
• Note: if desired, you can bake the meatballs in the oven before adding to the sauce.

PASTA AND EASY ITALIAN MEAT SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat butter and oil in a large saucepan over medium. Stir in carrot, onion, and garlic. Add ground beef, and cook until it turns from pink to brown, about 5 minutes.
• Add tomatoes and their liquid, crushing them with the back of a large spoon. Stir in milk, bay leaf, thyme, nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Simmer 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook fettuccine until al dente according to package instructions, about 12 minutes. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the cooking water; drain fettuccine, and return to the warm pot. Add meat sauce, and toss. Add pasta water as needed if the sauce seems dry. To serve, sprinkle with Parmesan.

PASTA WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE AND PUMPKIN SAUCE

Steps:

• Cook and stir Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the meat is browned, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks, about 10 minutes. Drain excess grease. Stir onion and garlic into sausage and cook until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a boil. Stir in campanelle and return to a boil. Cook pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but still firm to the bite, about 10 minutes; drain.
• Stir pumpkin puree, chicken broth, half-and-half, sour cream, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper into the sausage mixture and cook, stirring often, until sauce is creamy and thick, about 5 minutes.
• Transfer cooked campanelle pasta to a large pot and pour sausage and pumpkin mixture over pasta. Place over medium-high heat and gently stir until pasta mixture is heated through, 4 to 5 minutes. Serve topped with Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning.

ITALIAN PASTA SAUCE

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven or soup kettle, cook beef in 2 batches over medium heat until no longer pink; drain and set aside. Cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain and set aside. In the same pan, saute onion, celery and garlic in oil until vegetables are tender. , Return the beef and sausage to the pan. Add the next 9 ingredients, including allspice if desired, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until sauce reaches desired thickness, stirring occasionally, 2-3 hours. Serve over pasta.Freeze option: Freeze cooled sauce in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally. Add a little broth or water if necessary.

RED WINE ITALIAN SAUSAGE PASTA SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large non-stick skillet with a lid, add the olive oil and warm over medium heat, allow oil to heat for approximately 2 minutes.
• Add chopped onion and green pepper, cook for about 2-3 minutes or until onion is soft and you can see thru it, stir for even cooking.
• Add chopped/minced garlic, stir and continue to simmer thru for another 2 minutes.
• Add dry seasonings, chopped tomato, and chopped Italian sausage. Stir all and cook for another 2 minutes then add the ¼-cup dry red wine and stir all together.
• Add fennel seed & black pepper, cook another 2 minutes longer.
• Next, add the tomato sauce and water, bay leaves, salt and sugar, stir all and cover with lid, allow to cook on medium until mixture begins to slow boil, then remove lid. Stir again, cover and turn heat to a low simmer, allowing to cook for several hours or until ready to serve with pasta.
• Allowing sauce to slow cook for at least 2-3 hours makes for a more robust sauce ~ serve with al dente pasta, a good crusty Italian bread (ciabatta for example), freshly grated Italian cheese (a good quality aged Pecorino Romano made from sheeps or goats milk is best, never cows milk), & your favorite red wine (our favorite is a good cabernet).
• Sauce is also better the next day, so as a time saver make this sauce up a day ahead, allow to cool thoroughly before refrigerating, then serve the next night for dinner.

MOSTACCIOLI (BAKED PASTA WITH CREAMY SAUCE & ITALIAN SAUSAG

Steps:

• Cook both boxes of noodles until they are semi done.
• Drain and set aside, but do not rinse.
• Melt 1 Tbsp butter in a saucepot.
• Add minced garlic (more or less if desired).
• Slowly add heavy whipping cream to melted butter and garlic mixture.
• Bring sauce to a slow simmer, then add 2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese.
• Stir until melted.
• Let sauce simmer on low.
• Break into pieces and brown Italian sausage.
• Add 2 thinly sliced peppers to meat mixture.
• When both are fully cooked, dump them into the sauce.
• Saute sliced mushrooms in 1 Tbsp butter seasoned with salt and pepper.
• When cooked, add to sauce.
• Place tomatoes in a food processor and process until blended with chunks.
• Add fresh basil to taste (don't be stingy - a lot is better).
• Add diced garlic to taste.
• Add olive oil.
• Don't be afraid to start small and add more basil, garlic and oil as you go.
• This tomato mixture can be made a day early; let set in refrigerator overnight.
• Add this dish to the sauce.
• Bring the huge pot to a boil, let it simmer just a minute or two.
• Take the penne noodles and divide them into the two 9x13-inch pans, spreading them out evenly.
• Divide sauce into each pan filled with the noodles and mix it with the noodles.
• Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top of both pans.
• Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.

SIMPLE ITALIAN SAUSAGE PASTA SAUCE

Steps:

• In a medum-sized sauce pan, brown sausage, bell pepper and onion. Make sure vegies are tender.
• Drain off grease.
• Add stewed tomatoes, green onion 1-2 Tbsp of flour (for thickening--I added this to the tomatoes in separate medium-sized bowl and mixed it vigorously with a whisk. Then I added it, along with the green onion to the pan. If you like a thin sauce, don't do this step).
• Bring to a boil over HIGH heat, stirring constantly.
• Reduce to low-med, simmer covered for 15 min and uncovered for 15 min, stirring occasionally.
• Serve over pasta or rice with a nice salad on the side with garlic bread.

AUTHENTIC ITALIAN PASTA SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. I suggest. A large stock pot or sauce pan to make sauce in. You can also use meatballs in place of ground beef. This recipe can be altered to your tastes. I have a vegetarian, so I do not prepare my sauce with meat always. Also if I'm going to can, I omit the meat.
• 2. Prepare all vegetables. I use a food processor to save time. You want veggies finely chopped to cook into & soak into sauce and create a seasoned flavor in the sauce.
• 3. Heat oil in stock pan over medium heat. Add meat if using, and finely chopped vegetables. Saute until meat is browned, or for 3 minutes, until onions are transparent. Be careful not to burn garlic. Drain grease off and add red wine. Add whole tomatoes to pan and break up with wooden spoon while cooking. Add brown sugar, tomato sauce, tomato puree, spices.... simmer until sauce is hot. Add tomato paste (heat helps to cook paste into sauce).... add additional seasons to taste. Allow to cook on low for 2-4 hours, stirring frequently.
• 4. When sauce is done, & when ready to serve, remove from heat & add balsamic vinegar, & parmesan-reganno cheese, stir into sauce. Serve over prepared warm pasta, over your favorite Italian dish (chicken parm, eggplant parm, use in lasagna, etc) If canning, can as directed per canning jars while sauce is hot. If freezing, allow sauce to cool to room temp, place in freezer friendly dish & store in freezer for up to 3 months. I hope you enjoy this sauce as much as we do!

RED SHRIMP SAUCE WITH IMPORTED ITALIAN PASTA

Steps:

• Peel and devein shrimp. Save shells.
• Core, peel and coarsely chop garlic cloves.
• In a pot large enough to hold all ingredients, saute garlic over low heat until translucent; remove. Increase heat to medium and add shells. Stir until pink. Discard shells with a slotted spoon retaining as much juice as possible.
• Quick cook shrimp in the same pot until partly cooked through. Remove and reserve shrimp in a bowl. Refrigerate until final reheat and cooking at the end. Protect all secreted juices.
• Place tomatoes, red pepper flakes, remaining olive oil, several stalks of basil, salt and pepper in the pot. Simmer for about 2 hours, adding water or optional clam broth as needed.
• When close to serving, place pasta in a pot of salted and rapidly boiling water. Cook pasta according to package until al dente.
• Just before pasta is ready, remove basil and reheat the shrimp in the sauce.
• Strain pasta and place some of the shrimp sauce in the empty pasta pot. Add cooked pasta and mix, adding more sauce if needed to make sure pasta is coated with sauce. Place in a large serving bowl and top with a generous amount of additional sauce. Serve with additional sauce on the side.

RICH ITALIAN PASTA SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook beef and onion until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. , Add the tomato sauce, stewed tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar and pepper. Stir in sausage. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. , Stir in parsley and oregano. Serve desired amount with pasta. Cool remaining sauce; transfer to freezer containers. Freeze for up to 3 months., To use frozen sauce: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Place in a saucepan and heat through.

BAKED PASTA WITH TOMATO, RED PEPPER, AND SWEET ITALIAN SAUCE

Steps:

• Sauce-in a large, deep skillet (the author uses a deep flameproof casserole, but I never cook on the stovetop in a casserole pan), heat the oil over med-high heat.
• Cook the sausage meat, breaking up the meat with a spoon, for about 5 minutes, or until no pinkness remains.
• Drain of most of the fat.
• Add the mushrooms and saute for 4 minutes.
• Add the garlic and saute for 1 minute.
• Add the marinara sauce and red peppers, reduced heat to medium, and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the sauce begins to thicken.
• Add the cream, season with salt and pepper, and stir to combine.
• Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the sauce begins to thicken.
• Taste and adjust for seasonings.
• Preheat the oven to 375°.
• Oil a 13 x 9 inch baking dish.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• Salt the water, add the pasta, and cook over high heat for 10-11 minutes, OR until al dente; drain well.
• In a medium bowl, combine the cheeses.
• Combine the pasta with the sauce in the pan; add 1 cup of the blended cheeses and arugula leaves, mixing well to combine.
• Spoon the mixture into the prepared dish and evenly sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
• Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the sauce begins to bubble and the cheese is browned.
• Serve immediately.

SPICY TOMATO CREAM SAUCE PASTA W/ ITALIAN SAUSAGE

Steps:

• 1. While cooking sauce cook your pasta al dente and drain. Dice and caramelize onion in butter. Add Italian sausage to onions and brown. If in casings remove from casings. When sausage is browned add garlic and cook for another minute or two. Drain excess fat if you want to. I leave it in and dish does not come out greasy.
• 2. Add chicken broth to sausage mixture and simmer for about 5 minutes. Now add crushed tomatoes, paste, salt, pepper, and a heaping tablespoon of cajun seasoning (if wanting it milder just add a teaspoon or two and use mild sausage). Let simmer for a few more minutes. Add heavy cream and simmer for a couple of minutes.
• 3. Now add pasta and parmesan cheese to sauce and let simmer for 5 minutes. We prefer this recipe with mostaccioli pasta, but I have made it with several different types of pasta and it has been good with all of them. So just use your favorite.
• 4. This recipe started from TRACY JOYNER's recipe on here. As I stated in the description I have combined a couple of recipes with Tracy's to come up with this. I wanted to make sure Tracy got credit for being the inspiration of this dish.

BOWTIE PASTA WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE AND CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain.
• 2. Heat oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Cook sausage and pepper flakes until sausage is evenly brown. Drain any extra grease from the pan. Then, stir in onion and garlic, and cook until onion is tender. Stir in tomatoes, cream, and salt. Simmer until mixture thickens, 8 to 10 minutes.
• 3. Stir cooked pasta into sauce, and heat through. Sprinkle with parsley and a little freshly grated parmesan.

BOLOGNESE SAUCE - TRADITIONAL ITALIAN MEAT-BASED SAUCE FOR PASTA

Steps:

• In a nonstick skillet saute' the pancetta until brown and crisp. Remove from pan and drain on paper towels; set aside.
• Put the pepper, carrots, celery, onion, mushrooms and garlic in a food processor; pulse until finely chopped.
• Over a medium flame, heat the olive oil and butter in a large, deep saute' pan with a thick, heavy bottom. To the pan add the chopped vegetables and lemon zest, saute' for 6 or 7 minutes - until the onions turn clear and the garlic starts to "dance". Pour all ingredients into a large bowl; reserve for later.
• Continuing to cook over a medium flame, add the sausage links to the saute' pan, breaking into bite-sized clumps with a fork while it cooks; stir often. Cook until no longer pink. Remove sausage from pan and drain on paper towels. Meanwhile, discard all but 1 tablespoon of the pan drippings and add the beef to the saute' pan. Crumble with a fork to break the beef apart; stir often. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook until no longer pink.
• Lower your flame to medium-low and return the sausage, sauteed vegetables and pancetta to the saute' pan; gently stir together to blend. Add the wine and simmer until the alcohol evaporates, about 3 minutes. Add the milk, allspice, basil, oregano and pepper. Simmer until milk thickens a little - around 3 or 4 minutes.
• Stir in the tomatoes and a 1/2 cup of their juice. When the sauce starts to boil, reduce the heat so that it cooks at the barest simmer, with just an occasional bubble or two. Cook, uncovered, for 3 hours, turning down the heat if the sauce starts to scorch. If the sauce dries out before it is done, add a laddle of the reserved tomato juice or the beef broth; and check the seasoning.
• The sauce will improve steadily as it cooks, and if you have the time simmer it longer - many Italian cooks suggest that it be simmered for 6 hours, adding the tomato juice or broth as necessary. When this bolognese sauce is done, it should be rich and thick.
• Cook's Tip: The sauce can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for several days, or frozen for several months. Warm over low heat before serving.
• Cook's Tip: Try using all chopped veal or lamb for a stronger flavor.

ITALIAN GIGI SAUCE WITH CHICKEN AND PASTA

Steps:

• Fill a large stove-top pot with water, cover and bring to a boil.
• Heat oil in a large nonstick fry pan or wok at med-high.
• Cut chicken into bite-size pieces and add to pan as you cut.
• Add garlic and basil to pan. Toss occasionally until meat is no longer pink.
• While meat is browning....
• Slice onion and add to pan as you chop.
• Wash and slice mushrooms, adding to pan as you slice.
• Place pasta in boiling water, stir and cook uncovered.
• Set timer according to package directions (approx 11 minutes).
• Add tomato soup to chicken mixture and stir.
• Gradually add milk, then salsa.
• Stir well to combine.
• Wash and chop the green onion. Set aside.
• Rinse the cooked pasta under hot water in a colander. Let drain. Return pasta to pot.
• Toss with olive oil and basil.
• Serve sauce over pasta and sprinkle green onion for garnish.
• Our family also loves a little parmesan cheese on top.

SICILIAN ITALIAN PASTA SAUCE AND SAUSAGE

Steps:

• For Sauce, Combine all ingredients except Sausage Links in separate pot and bring to boil. Reduce to simmer for a minimum of 3 hours stirring frequently. For sausage links, place in a separate pot, fill with water to cover links. Bring to boil, then reduce to simmer for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes take each link, hold over the Sauce pot and slice link in half to allow juices to fall into Sauce pot. Place halved links into Sauce pot and continue simmering. Serve over favorite pasta and top with more fresh grated romano and parmesan cheese.

CREAMY WHITE WINE SAUCE AND ITALIAN CHICKEN OVER PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Melt butter in large pot and stir in package of Italian salad dressing mix and garlic. Next stir in wine, mushroom soup and cream cheese until well-blended. Continue to heat (without boiling) mixture for about 5 minutes, sauce should be creamy and all cream cheese should be melted. Place chicken in single layer in baking dish and pour the above mixture over. Cover and cook for 50-55 minutes. Cook pasta about 15 minutes before chicken is done. Drain pasta and serve chicken and sauce over the linguine. Top with tomatoes, chives and parmesan cheese. Don't forget to save some of the white wine to complement dinner!

ITALIAN MEATBALLS WITH VODKA SAUCE AND PASTA

Steps:

• 1. In a large bowl, add 4oz of mascarpone cheese, and the rest of the ingrediants of the Italian meatball list. Roll into the size meatball you like. Set aside.
• 2. In a large sauce pan add a 1 tablespoon olive oil, and on med heat saute bacon until the edges are crisp but still tender. Add onion and garlic and cook until tender. Add tomato paste and pepper flakes saute for 1 minute.
• 3. With med-high heat add the vodka and let steam off and deglaze the pan. Cook for 1-2 minute. Add tomatoes,bay leaf, and paprika. Reduce to med-low and let simmer for 15 minutes.
• 4. Add the brown sugar and slowly add the heavy cream and mascarpone cheese. Stir until melted. Simmer for additonal 10 minutes.
• 5. Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large cast iron skillet or pan. Brown meatballs on all sides and place them on a baking pan. Place in the oven for 8-10 minutes.Or until done.
• 6. Meanwhile cook the pasta. Drain.Toss meatballs with some vodka sauce. In a large bowl, combine pasta and Vodka sauce toss to coat pasta. Add meatballs and top with grated Parmesian cheese.