How to Choose the Best Authentic Italian Pasta Sauces

There are far too many types of pasta sauces that are available in the market; however, outside the realm of an Italian household or high-end restaurants that serve Italian food outside of Italy, not many are aware of the various kinds of pasta sauces that can be used to make pasta. Authentic Italian Tomato Sauces are one of the most used sauces for pasta in the world. There are various other types of sauces, such as; roasted garlic tomato sauce, San Marzano pasta sauce, and even other best organic pasta sauce. Here are a few common types of pasta sauces. 

Carbonara

Carbonara sauce lies somewhere in the middle, on a scale of 1 to 10; 1 being too light and ten being too heavy for a sauce. It is also made in two different ways, namely – made by using cream and made without any cream. The traditional carbonara sauce is made with the creaminess from the lightly whisked and fluffed eggs topped on the pasta right before serving it. On the more non-traditional route, chefs have also begun adding in actual cream in place of whisked eggs. 

Ragu’ Alla Bolognese

This is one of the better-known pasta sauces used all around the world. Roughly translated, bolognese means – “a bowl of comfort.” The most common Bolognese pasta is spaghetti bolognese. However, it is more scarce in Italy. Bolognese sauce in Italy is usually served with gnocchi, tagliatelle, fettuccine, or even pappardelle pasta – all larger in shape and can absorb more of the sauce. There are various versions of this sauce as well, but one of the unique versions including pork ribs to the sauce while it’s being brewed in order to get a rich and meaty taste to the sauce. 

Amatriciana

Amatriciana gets its name from the native place, Amatrice. Amatrice has declared six ingredients as the official ingredients for the perfect pasta sauce. The six elements are pork jowl, white wine, tomatoes (San Marzano), pepper, chili, and pecorino cheese. You could also use onion and garlic flavor for an earthy flavor and omit out the wine if that is what you prefer, if you prefer roasted garlic tomato sauce flavor. 

Pesto 

Nowadays, pesto usually just means – throw in a bunch of herbs, nuts, and oil to make a green paste called pesto sauce. The classic Italian pesto, however, is a combination of olive oil, fresh basil, pine nuts, and Parmigiano cheese. Pesto is a sauce that not most people venture or gravitate towards naturally. But, with the trend of vegan foods coming along, more and more people are open to trying this form of pasta sauce as well. 

Puttanesca

Puttanesca is derived from the name – Prostitute’s Sauce and also exactly how the name came about for this particular sauce form. This is made from a combination of olives, anchovies, and capers. It gives off a robust salty flavor and is very quick to make and master. It is, however, one of the favorite kinds of flavors that pasta lovers have picked up over centuries. 

Also Read: Here’s How to Make 100% Authentic Italian Tomato Sauce

Alla Norma

Alla Norma is the classic combination of eggplant and rich, creamy ricotta cheese-based in tomato sauce. Fun fact – this sauce was created by an Italian chef who was a dedicated fan of the music composer Vincenzo Bellini and called the “Norma” after his famous operatic aria of the same name. Try this out next time for your dinner chit chat and gathering.This is one of the best Italian Tomato Sauces and it is also one of the best organic pasta sauce. 

Vongole

Vongole sauce is best had fresh and quick just as your guests are being seated for the main course. It’s a combination of briny & salty clams, the freshness, and spiciness of red chili and freshly chopped parsley leaves. This sauce requires precision and can only be mastered with time. It is one of the yummiest sauces that kinds of pasta could ever have. 

These are just a few of the commonly known as well as mostly experimented sauces that you could also use in your kitchen. Have a blast using these.