Classic Italian Pasta Sauce Recipes

Few things hit the spot quite like a bowl of pasta smothered in a rich, flavourful sauce. Whether it’s a slow-simmered tomato sauce infused with garlic and fresh basil, or a creamy sauce that feels indulgent without being too heavy, pasta sauce recipes sit right at the heart of Italian cooking. They’re built on simple ingredients, honest techniques, and family traditions lovingly passed down through generations.

At Murati’s Pizzeria, pasta has always meant so much more than what’s on the plate. It’s about bringing people together, celebrating life’s moments, and enjoying good food in great company. As a family-run Italian restaurant, these values guide everything we do – from the care our chefs put into every sauce to the relaxed, welcoming atmosphere you’ll find when dining with us at our Italian restaurant in Milton Keynes. In this guide, we’re sharing classic Italian pasta sauce recipes you can make at home, along with helpful tips, tasty variations, and serving ideas inspired by traditional Italian kitchens.

Whether you’re throwing together a quick midweek meal, planning a dinner party with friends, or simply craving a comforting Italian favourite, these pasta sauce recipes are designed to be easy to follow, wonderfully versatile, and packed full of flavour.

Italian pasta sauce recipes inspired by tradition

Italian pasta sauce recipes are all about balance. Rather than relying on long ingredient lists, they focus on quality produce, gentle cooking, and allowing each ingredient to shine. It’s this philosophy that our chefs follow every day at Murati’s, whether they’re preparing a slow-simmered tomato sauce or a silky seafood pasta.

If you love Italian food and want to experience these flavours cooked for you, you’re always welcome to visit our restaurant in Newport Pagnell, where our menus celebrate classic Italian cooking with a modern touch.

Below, you’ll find a selection of classic pasta sauce recipes, each with its own character and charm:

• Tomato Pasta Sauce Recipe
• Creamy Pasta Sauce Recipe
• Pesto Sauce Recipe
• Seafood Pasta Sauce Recipe

Tomato Pasta Sauce Recipe

If you’re looking for a timeless tomato base that never disappoints, this recipe is a great place to start. It’s inspired by classic Italian techniques and similar to much-loved recipes you’ll find on trusted sites like BBC Good Food, focusing on simplicity and fresh ingredients.

A classic tomato pasta sauce is the foundation of countless Italian dishes. Simple, vibrant, and endlessly adaptable, this sauce is proof that a few humble ingredients can create something truly special. It’s perfect for spaghetti, penne, rigatoni, or spooned generously over fresh ravioli.

If you enjoy getting creative in the kitchen, our previous blog on homemade ravioli fillings is a perfect companion to these sauce ideas, offering plenty of inspiration for pairing fresh pasta with rich, comforting flavours.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 400g can of chopped tomatoes
• 1 tsp vegetable stock powder or ½ crumbled stock cube
• 1 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 tsp sugar
• A few fresh basil leaves

Method

• Warm the olive oil in a pan over a gentle heat. Add the crushed garlic and let it cook softly for around a minute, just until fragrant. Keep an eye on it – you want to release the flavour without letting the garlic brown or turn bitter.
• Add the chopped tomatoes, vegetable stock powder, tomato purée, and sugar. Give everything a good stir, then bring the sauce up to a gentle boil. Once it starts bubbling, turn the heat down and let it simmer uncovered for about five minutes, stirring now and then. This keeps the sauce light, fresh, and full of flavour.
• Just before serving, tear a few fresh basil leaves with your hands and stir them through the sauce. This simple final step adds a lovely burst of freshness and really brings the whole dish together. Delicious variations

How To Adapt This Recipe

One of the joys of tomato pasta sauce recipes is how easily they can be adapted.

Creamy Mascarpone

Stir 2 tablespoons of mascarpone into the sauce at the end of the cooking time. The result is rich, silky, and perfect, poured over fresh tortellini. Finish with extra spoonfuls of mascarpone and bake until bubbling at the edges.

Spicy Arrabbiata

Use 2 garlic cloves instead of one and add a generous pinch of chilli flakes and dried oregano. Just before serving, stir in 1 teaspoon of balsamic vinegar for depth and balance.

Sweet Spiced Sauce

Omit the basil and sugar, replacing them with 2 teaspoons of honey and ½ teaspoon each of ground cinnamon and coriander. This variation pairs beautifully with lamb meatballs, couscous, or even roasted chicken.

A good tomato sauce is a staple worth mastering, and once you do, you’ll find yourself returning to it again and again.

Creamy Pasta Sauce Recipe

When comfort food calls, creamy pasta sauce recipes always deliver. This quick and satisfying sauce comes together in minutes and works beautifully with almost any pasta shape. It’s the kind of dish our guests often gravitate towards when dining with us at our restaurant in Newport Pagnell, where classic Italian comfort food is all about balance, flavour, and a relaxed, welcoming experience.

Ingredients

• 400g dried pasta
• 150ml double cream
• 1 small garlic clove, crushed, or ½ tsp garlic powder
• 25g Parmesan (or a similar vegetarian hard cheese), finely grated, plus extra to serve
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method

• Begin by half-filling a large saucepan with water. Add plenty of salt and bring it to the boil. Add the pasta and cook for 10–12 minutes, or according to the packet instructions, until just tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
• Just before the pasta is ready, pour the double cream into a small saucepan and add the garlic. Bring it to a very gentle simmer, stirring constantly. Add about 100ml of the pasta cooking water, then add the grated Parmesan, stirring until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and black pepper.
• Drain the pasta in a colander, then return it to the pan. Pour the sauce over the pasta and mix well, coating every piece. Serve immediately, topped with extra cheese if desired.

Recipe tips and variations

This creamy pasta sauce recipe is wonderfully flexible. You can swap Parmesan for mature cheddar, blue cheese, or even a smoked cheese for a deeper flavour. If you don’t have double cream, single cream or crème fraîche works well, while soft cheeses like cream cheese add extra richness.

Fresh herbs such as parsley, basil, or dill bring brightness to the dish. You can also add dried chilli flakes, sliced fresh chilli, or spring onions for a subtle kick.

At Murati’s, creamy sauces are all about balance – indulgent, yet never heavy. That same philosophy applies when making them at home.

Pesto Sauce Recipe

Pesto is a true Italian classic, and this version celebrates the same fresh, vibrant flavours you’ll find in iconic recipes such as Jamie Oliver. It’s herby, fragrant, and incredibly versatile.

Fresh, fragrant, and bursting with herby flavour, pesto is one of the most beloved Italian pasta sauces. Originating in Liguria, traditional pesto celebrates basil at its best, paired with garlic, pine nuts, cheese, and olive oil.

Ingredients

• ½ a clove of garlic
• 1 large bunch of fresh basil
• 1 handful of pine nuts
• 1 generous handful of freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• Extra virgin olive oil

Method

• Peel the garlic and place it in a pestle and mortar with a pinch of sea salt. Pound until it forms a paste. Pick the basil leaves, roughly chop them, and add them to the mortar, bashing until they break down into a vibrant green paste. Alternatively, pulse everything gently in a food processor.
• Add the pine nuts, lightly toasted if you like, and pound again, then stir in half of the Parmesan. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the pesto reaches a loose, glossy consistency.
• Stir in most of the remaining cheese and season with salt and black pepper. Taste and adjust, adding more oil or cheese as needed. A squeeze of lemon juice at the end adds a subtle freshness, though it’s entirely optional.
• Pesto is delicious stirred through pasta, spooned over grilled vegetables, or even spread onto warm focaccia. It’s a sauce that instantly transports you to sun-soaked Italian summers.

Seafood Pasta Sauce Recipe

Seafood pasta sauce recipes feel luxurious yet remain deeply rooted in Italian coastal cooking. Light, creamy, and full of fresh flavours, this sauce is perfect for special occasions or whenever you want to treat yourself to something a little indulgent.

Ingredients

• Mixed seafood: prawns, calamari, squid heads, mussels (scallops and clams work well too)
• Butter
• Fresh garlic
• Lemon juice
• White wine
• Cream
• Fresh parsley
• Salt and pepper
• Chilli flakes
• Pasta of your choice

How to make seafood pasta

• Cook the seafood: Heat a splash of oil in a large pan. Season the seafood with salt and pepper, then cook in batches until golden. Prawns usually need no more than a minute per side, while calamari and mussels take just a few minutes. Avoid overcooking, as seafood can quickly become tough. Remove from the pan and set aside.
• Make the sauce: In the same pan, melt the butter and add the garlic and chilli flakes. Cook until fragrant, then pour in the lemon juice and white wine. Allow the mixture to simmer and reduce by half before adding the cream. Simmer gently for around 5 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly.
• Return the seafood to the pan, along with any resting juices, and stir in the parsley.
• Combine and serve: Toss the sauce with cooked pasta, adding a splash of pasta cooking water if needed. Serve immediately, finished with extra parsley and a crack of black pepper.

This dish is best enjoyed straight away, ideally with a glass of crisp white wine and good company.

Bringing classic pasta sauce recipes to your table

Classic Italian pasta sauce recipes are about more than just food – they’re about slowing down, sharing meals, and creating memories around the table. Whether you’re simmering a tomato sauce, whisking together a creamy pasta dish, or pounding fresh pesto, each recipe offers a little taste of Italy at home.

If you’d rather leave the cooking to the professionals, we’d love to welcome you to Murati’s. Our menus celebrate these timeless flavours, prepared with care by our talented chefs and served in a warm, family-friendly setting.

We hope these pasta sauce recipes inspire your next meal and remind you just how special simple, well-cooked food can be. Click here to book your visit and join us for an unforgettable Italian dining experience – we look forward to welcoming you soon.