These sauces are the essential recipes you need! This list provides easy ideas for pasta, dipping, chicken, fish, and more.

Sauces

Need a great sauce to liven up your meal? Here are our essential sauces for the home cook! The list below includes the best pasta sauce recipes, dipping sauces, marinades, and drizzles for salmon, chicken, tacos, and more. From light and creamy to rich buttery to tomato-based, there’s something for every type of meal in this list. Ready to get started?

And now…40 essential sauces!

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Tomato Sauce Recipe

45 Essential Sauces


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 3 cups 1x

Description

This homemade tomato sauce recipe has simple ingredients that make big flavor! Here’s how to make this Italian staple.


Ingredients

Scale
  • ¼ cup olive oil, divided
  • 1 medium red onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes, San Marzano or best quality
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 6 large basil leaves
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat in a saucepan. Add the onion and garlic and cook gently for 5 minutes, until softened and fragrant. Add the tomatoes and remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil and bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring often.
  2. Transfer to a blender and blend until smooth. Add the salt, sugar, oregano and basil and blend until combined. 
  3. Return to the saucepan and simmer partially covered until thickened to the desired consistency, 15 to 30 minutes. Taste and adjust salt as desired. (Variations: Stir in red pepper flakes, a splash of cream, grated Parmesan cheese, or a splash of balsamic vinegar if desired.)
  4. Serve 2 cups tomato sauce with 8 ounces pasta, and top with Parmesan cheese, Pecorino Romano cheese, and/or red pepper flakes. Sauce stores refrigerated for 5 days or frozen for 3 months.
  • Category: Sauce
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Keywords: Sauces, list of sauces

About the authors

Sonja & Alex

Meet Sonja and Alex Overhiser: Husband and wife. Expert home cooks. Authors of recipes you'll want to make again and again.

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