Skip to Content

These 50 Homemade Pasta Sauces Are So Much More Flavorful Than Store-Bought

Jarred sauce could never.

By
marry me pasta
PHOTO: DOAA ELKADY, FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

We're all for a store-bought pasta sauce, but when we want to make a dinner that's extra special, we know we gotta go homemade. It's so easy to go on auto-pilot and just grab a jar, but we are urging you (kindly!) to join us in stepping away from those humdrum options and try your hand at making your own homemade creations. Perfect for pairing with everything from penne to spaghetti to gnocchi, these 50 pasta sauce recipes are sure to impress.

And we're not just talking regular ol' marinara, either. No, we've got tons of exciting, new pasta sauce recipes ranging from the classics (like Alfredo or bolognese) all the way to more innovative sauces (we're pretty fond of our one-pot creamy kimchi shells and chicken tikka Alfredo). Whether you're looking for a classic or something to wow someone special, there's something here for you.

Let's start with the basics. Tomato sauces are classic for a reason and can go way beyond a simple spaghetti sauce. You can take them in so many flavorful directions; add heat to get a spicy arrabbiata or bucatini all'amatriciana, use jammy sun-dried tomatoes to make a pesto; or make the tomatoes the star like we did with our pasta pomodoro and cherry tomato pasta recipes. The undisputed king of all tomato sauces? A big, bold, umami-rich Sunday sauce is the ultimate stick-to-your-ribs recipe that'll make any Nonna proud.

If you're looking to think outside the tomato, fear not. Our recipes for green spaghetti and roasted red pepper shrimp linguine will have you fully joining Team Homemade Sauce for life. And if you're often thinking to yourself, could this be a pesto?, have we got some treats for you. Our recipes for broccoli pesto, asparagus pesto, and Sichuan pesto will seriously blow your mind.

Once you've got your noodles cooked and your sauce simmering away, it's time to think sides. Check out our best sides for pasta and our favorite Italian side dishes to round out your meal too.

1

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

spaghetti sauce with ground beef crushed tomatoes parmesan rind and basil
PHOTO: DOAA ELKADY, FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

If Julia Child taught America how to roast chicken, Marcella Hazan taught us how to make good pasta sauce. Her version is a little unconventional; the onion isn't sautéed, the sauce simmers for less than an hour, and there's a lot of butter. It's the easiest and, most likely, best red sauce you'll ever make at home.

Get the Homemade Spaghetti Sauce recipe.

2

Alfredo Sauce

alfredo sauce made with heavy cream garlic and butter
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER: FOOD STYLING: FRANCESCA ZANI

Put the store-bought jar down—our easy Alfredo will make you a homemade pasta sauce believer. Whether you use it in classic chicken Alfredo or turn it into a winning app, this is the time to do it right.

Get the Alfredo Sauce recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3

Marry Me Pasta

marry me pasta
PHOTO: DOAA ELKADY, FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

This sauce is based after the one from our beloved marry me chicken, and is possibly even better tossed with some pasta. We can almost guarantee if you make it, someone will fall for you, so be careful whom you choose to share this meal with! 😉

Get the Marry Me Pasta recipe.

4

Pesto Sauce

basic pesto with flaky salt, parmesan, and basil
PHOTO: NICO SCHINCO; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

This Genovese specialty bursts with the summery flavor of basil, and we love it for way more than just pasta. (Though that's pretty great too!) Try tossing your roasted potatoes with a couple tablespoons, or mix a spoonful into mayo for a ridiculously delicious dipping sauce.

Get the Pesto Sauce recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5

Sunday Sauce

sunday sauce with meatballs pork sausage and pork ribs
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER, FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Sunday sauce sounds like a project but it's easier to make than you think. It's meant to be cooked all day from morning to mid-afternoon right before you bring that pot of water to a boil for your favorite rigatoni or spaghetti.

Get the Sunday Sauce recipe.

6

Dirty Martini Pasta

a pot of cooked spaghetti in a cream sauce with pieces of green olives, chopped parsley, and parmesan
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

This recipe takes inspiration from a classic pasta al limone by using heavy cream as the base for the luscious and decadent sauce. Then, just like a dirty martini, we supplement the dish with olives and brine (and booze, of course). The best part? It comes together in under 30 minutes.

Get the Dirty Martini Pasta recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7

Spicy Cottage Cheese Pasta

spicy cottage cheese pasta sauce
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

Cottage cheese continues to have its big moment in the sun. Its high-protein content has driven people to try and incorporate it into some of their favorite foods. Blending it with marinara until the sauce is creamy and smooth makes for an incredible pasta sauce.

Get the Spicy Cottage Cheese Pasta recipe.

8

Arrabbiata Sauce

arrabbiata sauce
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

Pasta is one of the easiest, tastiest weeknight dinners you can make, and while we love a quick marinara, creamy pesto, or garlic butter sauce, sometimes we’re craving something with a little more punch. On these nights, Arrabbiata sauce is our go-to.

Get the Arrabbiata Sauce recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9

Everything Bagel Pasta

fusilli pasta with a creamy white sauce and topped with everything bagel seasoning
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

If you love everything bagel seasoning, crunchy, savory bread crumbs, and creamy pasta, you'll love this dish. You might even want to marry it. We don't blame you, we kinda do too: It's forgiving, free of complications, comforting and eager to please.

Get the Everything Bagel Pasta recipe.

10

Creamy Tomato Vegan Pasta

creamy tomato vegan pasta
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Rich and creamy with deep tomato flavor, this is the vegan pasta you make for lifelong dairy lovers. In this recipe, a homemade vegan cream made from quick-soaked cashews rounds out our robust sauce of sun-dried tomatoes and tomato paste.

Get the Creamy Tomato Vegan Pasta recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11

Garlic Butter Sauce For Pasta

garlic butter sauce for pasta with garlic chips and parsley
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Sometimes you just need a quick, comforting dinner, and there’s little more satisfying than garlicky, buttery noodles, and these ones are the best. When we say garlicky, we mean it—we mean garlicky, we’re talking a lot of garlic. Like over 20 cloves!

Get the Garlic Butter Sauce For Pasta recipe.

12

Smoked Sausage Cajun Alfredo

cajun flavored alfredo with penne tossed with smoked sausage
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

This Cajun Alfredo expands on what we love about fettuccine Alfredo and is amped up with punchy spices and andouille sausage. This hearty take on the classic chicken Alfredo will easily become a go-to comforting weeknight dish.

Get the Smoked Sausage Cajun Alfredo recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13

Fresh Tomato Sauce

fresh tomato sauce
PHOTO: JOEL GOLDBERG; FOOD STYLING: HADLEY SUI

When summer tomatoes start popping up, we always find ourselves with too many than we know what to do with. Not a bad boat to find ourselves in, we know! We could make gazpacho, homemade salsa, a tomato galette... our options are truly endless, but we'll always return to this simple sauce.

Get the Fresh Tomato Sauce recipe.

14

Cacio e Pepe

cacio e pepe topped with pepper and parmesan
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Cacio e pepe translates literally to “cheese and pepper." These two ingredients are usually thought of as small components to a dish, but in this pasta recipe, they take center stage. The fruity bite of freshly ground pepper adds complexity and is earthy, sweet, and spicy all at once.

Get the Cacio e Pepe recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
15

Cherry Tomato Pasta

cherry tomato pasta
PHOTO: ANDREA MONZO; FOOD STYLIST: MAKINZE GORE

This recipe is proof that a killer tomato sauce doesn’t need a long simmer on the stovetop. You'll create a robust sauce by concentrating the cherry tomatoes' flavor through bursting them in the skillet, along with other classic enhancers, like olive oil, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and red pepper flakes.

Get the Cherry Tomato Pasta recipe.

16

Cottage Cheese Alfredo

creamy high protein cottage cheese alfredo with spinach and fettuccine
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

This classic creamy sauce already had a place in our hearts, but adding cottage cheese and spinach took the love to new heights. The cottage cheese-based sauce comes together in a blender or food processor in a few seconds, then simmered to thick, velvety, cheesy perfection before getting tossed with fresh spinach and al dente fettuccine.

Get the Cottage Cheese Alfredo recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
17

Pasta Alla Gricia

pasta alla gricia with pecorino and guanciale
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

This is easy to make and even easier to indulge in. The real Italian way uses guancial—cured pork jowl—which has a slightly sweet, delicate flavor. If you can't find it, use pancetta or thick-cut bacon instead!

Get the Pasta Alla Gricia recipe.

18

Miso Bolognese Fettucine

miso bolognese

Traditional Bolognese sauce might take forever to cook, but this weeknight version is done in just 30 minutes. Delicate and earthy miso paste adds serious depth to the ground beef sauce that you're going to love.

Get the Miso Bolognese recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
19

Easy Homemade Marinara

marinara sauce  delishcom
Parker Feierbach

Rao's is our go-to store-bought marinara sauce, but when we have time, we much prefer to make our own. Our version is pretty hard to beat, and while it tastes amazing over a bowl of pasta, it's also great for shakshuka, lasagna, and chicken Parm.

Get the Easy Homemade Marinara recipe.

20

Creamy Corn Pasta

creamy corn pasta
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: MARY RUPP

Don’t be fooled by the name—this pasta has no cream! Instead, you’ll puree fresh corn, sautéed garlic, and scallions into a luscious sauce that’s topped with Parmesan, basil, and even more corn. With just a few ingredients, you can have a crowd-pleasing summer pasta in no time.

Get the Creamy Corn Pasta recipe.

Watch Next 
preview for Meals & Cooking
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below