Pasta is an all-time favorite Italian dish that has enough takers around the globe. And what makes it such a loved dish are the various kinds of sauces used to make these delectable pastas. Tomato, cheese, chilly, spinach, you name it and there is a sauce that appeals to your palate.
Here we bring you five most famous pasta sauces that you can try at home:
1. Fresh tomato sauce:
This is the basic but the yummiest pasta sauce and very simple to make.
Difficulty level: Easy
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 packet fusilli pasta
- 2 cups coarsely chopped tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons shredded fresh basil
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- Salt to taste
Method:
Boil the pasta and keep aside. In a pan, add the tomatoes, olive oil and salt. Cook until the tomatoes start softening. Add the basil and stir all the ingredients in the pan well. Plate the boiled pasta and cover it with the sauce. Add parmesan cheese and pepper on top. Garnish with basil leaves.
2. Creamy Mushroom-Pea Sauce:
It is a sauce for those who love cream and want a dash of nutrition as well.
Difficulty level: Medium
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 packet whole-wheat pasta
- 3 cups peas
- Sliced prosciutto ( cured ham )
- 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 cups sliced chanterelle mushrooms
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1/4 cup white wine
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup whipping cream
- Freshly ground pepper
Method:
Boil the pasta and peas together until cooked. In another pan, heat oil and cook prosciutto until brown. Add in garlic and stir for 30 seconds. Then put the mushroom and cook until they release all their water and the mixture dries up. Sprinkle flour and add wine. Coat the mushrooms with flour and simmer for a minute. Add the chicken broth and cook until it thickens. Remove from heat and add cream and pepper. Add the cooked pasta and peas to this sauce and coat the pasta well.
3. Pasta with Red Pepper Sauce:
A tangy and spicy pasta.
Difficulty level: Easy
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 packet plain or spinach fettuccine
- 2 roasted red sweet peppers
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons white wine
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Method:
Cook the pasta as per directions on pack. Slice the peppers, de-seed and put in a foil and roast in an oven. Then puree the sweet peppers in a blender. Put this puree in a pan and cook until it bubbles. Slowly add the sour cream, wine, salt and pepper. Heat the mixture but do not boil. Plate the boiled pasta and cover it with this peppery sauce.
4. Pasta cooked in beer:
An adult take on the traditional macaroni and cheese.
Difficulty level: Easy
Cooking time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 packet macaroni
- 2 sliced carrots
- 1 small zucchini
- 1 cup whole mushrooms
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup beer
- 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Method:
Cook and drain pasta and keep aside. In a pan, melt butter and add the vegetables ( carrot, zucchini and mushrooms). Cook until tender and then coat the vegetables with flour. Add milk and cook until the mix turns thick. Then add the bear. Heat for a while before removing the pan from the stove. Add cheddar cheese and stir until it melts in the sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Plate the pasta and spoon the sauce over the pasta.
5. Cream-Sauced Pasta with Vegetables:
This one is for veggie lovers.
Difficulty level: Medium
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 packet of your favorite pasta
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves of minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 2 cups asparagus cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 medium yellow summer squash or zucchini, sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 4 Roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped
Method:
Cook the pasta and keep aside in a pan. Put oil in another pan and add onion and garlic. Then add asparagus, squash, salt, and pepper. Cook until the veggies turn nice and tender. Remove the vegetables and add to the pasta. Next, put the whipped cream in a pan and bring to a boil. Heat until the consistency reduces to almost 3/4th. Pour the hot cream over the pasta and the veggies. Garnish with roma tomatoes. You can also add in small chunks of sausages when the cream is being cooked. But remember to add the sausages very early into the sauce as they need to be cooked well.
So, these were 5 really exciting and tasty pasta sauces ideas that can make your day, or maybe even your night. These pasta sauces act as great mood up-lifters. Try out all of them.
