Marinara Sauce

Mention Italian food and the heavenly sauces cannot be far behind! Be it marinara sauce or Alfredo sauce, they add the special zing and flavor to spaghetti or meat balls. Look up our simple recipes for spaghetti sauce, one that you can freeze and store for use. Sauces can be simmered on a slow flame for an hour or so. This ensures that they are thick and can be stored away for use later. You can use the sauces with pizza or eggplant. Veal, chicken, lamb or pork can be added to the sauces for added flavor.

Marinara sauce

Marinara sauce owes its origin to the Italian word for sailor marinaro. You can use this basic sauce for pasta and other recipes. Bursting with the goodness of tomatoes and hint of select Italian herbs, the marinara sauce finds many takers. Marinara sauce works well as a dipping sauce. You can pour fresh bubbling marinara sauce over spaghetti or polenta slices. Stew some meatballs in it. Whip up marinara sauce and freeze it. You can whip up a meal in a jiffy! You can make variations to the basic marinara sauce by adding peeled and deveined shrimps or rinsed clams. With a dash of vodka or white wine, you can add extra zing to your marinara sauce.

Alfredo sauce

Alfredo sauce is a rich Italian sauce that is poured over fettuncine or other pasta varieties. Popular variations to the Alfredo sauce are vegetables and chicken. This sauce is often used to marinate meat. Parmesan or Romano cheese is grated and added to the sauce to create the rich creamy texture that is characteristic of Alfredo sauce. Look for low-fat versions of Alfredo sauce if you want to cut down the calories. You can thicken the batch of Alfredo sauce with flour and reduce the cheese. Go easy on the cream and butter for a lighter version of the sauce.

Pesto sauce

Pesto sauce originated from the Italian word for pounding pestare. Pesto sauce was traditionally made by pounding it in mortar and pestle. Today, the pesto sauce is made in a blender. The aroma of the pesto sauce depends on the fresh basil that adds zest. Garlic, olive oil and Parmesan cheese are the other ingredients that go into making a tasty pesto sauce. Spruce it up with pine nuts, walnuts, fresh herbs such as cilantro, marjoram and parsley, tomatoes and greens.

Basic marinara sauce recipe

Tomatoes, chopped or stewed

Olive oil

Basil leaves

Oregano

Parsley

Garlic, chopped

Salt and pepper

Mix all ingredients and blend till smooth. Heat olive oil in a pan and add the blended mix. Simmer for about 30 minutes till thick. Do not forget to stir occasionally.

Basic Alfredo sauce recipe

Butter

Garlic, finely chopped

Parsley, minced

Cream

Flour

Milk

Parmesan cheese, grated

Salt and pepper

Olive oil

Melt butter in a pan. Combine flour and milk to a smooth blend and then add cream and blend further. Add this mixture to the pan and keep stirring till it thickens. Add grated cheese and herbs. A drizzle of olive oil enhances the flavor.

Spaghetti sauce recipe

Spaghetti sauce is a tomato-based sauce that can be easily prepared at home.

Tomatoes

Garlic, chopped

Olive oil

Basil

Cinnamon

Oregano

Parsley

Salt and pepper

Saute the tomatoes and garlic in olive oil. Add tomato paste and spices. Keep stirring. Let the sauce simmer on a low flame till it thickens. Add red wine for added flavor. You can add mushrooms, carrots, zucchini, ground beef or sausages.

Pesto sauce recipe

Spinach leaves

Pine nuts

Garlic, chopped

Olive oil

Parmesan cheese, grated

Salt and pepper

Basil

Coarsely blend together spinach, nuts, garlic and basil with little olive oil. Add grated cheese and blend till smooth. This can be added over warm and freshly cooked pasta. You can add pecans and hazel nuts.