Cook and customize these marinara, Alfredo and pesto sauces for your next pasta night.
Make one of these classic, customizable pasta sauces the next time you’re craving an Italian night. By knowing exactly what goes into the sauces – and using fresh ingredients instead of jarred sauces – you can rest assured that you’re serving a wholesome dinner!
Tip: Don't worry about sauce splatters on your stovetop – just wipe them away with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser after dinner's over.
Serves: 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
5 tablespoons virgin olive oil
2 cups diced red bell pepper
4 tablespoons minced garlic
2 cups diced red onion (¼-inch dice)
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 can (28 ounces) stewed tomatoes
1½ cups double-strength chicken stock
1 bay leaf
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon fresh oregano, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh basil, finely chopped
Salt and pepper
Serves: 4
Cook Time: 10 minutes
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cups heavy cream
2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and black pepper
Chopped parsley, for garnish
Serves: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
4 cups packed basil leaves
About 10 parsley sprigs, stems removed
2 cloves garlic
¼ cup toasted pine nuts, walnuts or almonds
Salt and pepper to taste
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Tip: Refrigerate leftover pesto drizzled with a layer of olive oil to preserve it. Pesto can also be frozen. One of our favorite methods is to freeze it in ice cube containers and then transfer the frozen cubes to a plastic freezer bag. A couple of cubes thawed and served hot on fresh pasta makes enough pesto to feed a few hungry people.