Three Classic Italian Pasta Sauces
Inspired by Rachel Ray's 30 Minute Meals, this recipe showcases three delightful and easy-to-make pasta sauces that each bring their own unique flavor to your pasta dishes. The foundational sauce is a fragrant Basilico, which combines fresh basil, garlic, and crushed tomatoes. From there, you can enhance your dish with the classic Marinara, adding a dash of black pepper and herbs, or spice things up with the Arrabbiata, which features a pleasing heat from crushed red pepper flakes. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy gathering, these sauces are enough to generously coat up to 1 1/2 pounds of pasta, serving 4-6 people.
4-6 servings
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons (none)
garlic cloves
3 (minced)
crushed tomatoes
2 (28 ounce) cans (none)
fresh basil
20 leaves (roughly chopped)
fresh oregano
3 sprigs (stemmed and chopped)
flat leaf parsley
1/3 cup (chopped)
fresh ground black pepper
to taste (none)
crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Instructions
1
For the Basilico Sauce: In a large saucepan, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat, then add the minced garlic. Cook until the garlic becomes fragrant and starts to sizzle, about 1-2 minutes.
2
Add the two cans of crushed tomatoes, stirring to combine. Allow the mixture to heat through, about 5-7 minutes.
3
Stir in the roughly chopped fresh basil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer the sauce gently while you prepare your pasta. Once the pasta is cooked and drained, toss it with the sauce and serve immediately.
4
For the Marinara Sauce: Follow the same steps as the Basilico. After heating the crushed tomatoes, add the chopped parsley and a liberal amount of fresh ground black pepper, along with the fresh oregano. Allow the sauce to simmer, stirring occasionally, while you cook your pasta.
5
For the Arrabbiata Sauce: Again, follow the Basilico method but add the crushed red pepper flakes at the same time as the garlic. Proceed with the remaining steps as outlined for the Basilico.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What three pasta sauces can I make with this recipe?
You can make three classic Italian sauces: Basilico, Marinara, and Arrabbiata.
Who inspired these 30-minute pasta sauce recipes?
These recipes were inspired by Rachel Ray's 30 Minute Meals.
How many people does this recipe serve?
The recipe serves between 4 and 6 people.
How much pasta will these sauces cover?
The sauces are designed to generously coat up to 1 1/2 pounds of pasta.
What is the base tomato ingredient for all three sauces?
The base consists of two 28-ounce cans of crushed tomatoes.
How much olive oil is needed for the recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.
How many garlic cloves should be used?
You should use 3 minced garlic cloves.
How long should I cook the garlic?
Cook the garlic for 1-2 minutes until it becomes fragrant and starts to sizzle.
What is the main herb used in the Basilico sauce?
The Basilico sauce primarily uses 20 leaves of fresh basil, roughly chopped.
When do I add the fresh basil to the sauce?
Stir in the chopped fresh basil after the crushed tomatoes have heated through for 5-7 minutes.
What additional ingredients are in the Marinara sauce?
The Marinara sauce adds chopped parsley, fresh ground black pepper, and fresh oregano to the base.
How do I make the Arrabbiata sauce spicy?
Add 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes at the same time you add the garlic to the oil.
How much fresh oregano is required for the Marinara?
You will need 3 sprigs of fresh oregano, stemmed and chopped.
What type of parsley is best for these sauces?
The recipe recommends using 1/3 cup of chopped flat leaf parsley.
How long should the tomatoes heat through?
The crushed tomatoes should heat through for approximately 5-7 minutes.
Is there a specific amount of black pepper to add?
No, the fresh ground black pepper should be added to taste.
Are these sauces suitable for a vegetarian diet?
Yes, these sauces are tagged as vegetarian.
What heat setting should be used for simmering?
Reduce the heat to low to simmer the sauce gently while the pasta cooks.
What is the preparation for the garlic?
The garlic cloves should be minced before cooking.
When should I toss the pasta with the sauce?
Once the pasta is cooked and drained, toss it with the sauce and serve immediately.
What type of oil is used in this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for extra virgin olive oil.
Can these sauces be prepared quickly?
Yes, they are categorized as quick meals and 30-minute recipes.
How should the basil leaves be prepared?
The 20 fresh basil leaves should be roughly chopped.
Is the Arrabbiata sauce made differently than the Basilico?
It follows the same method but includes red pepper flakes added with the garlic for heat.
What is the total ingredient count for these sauces?
There are 8 primary ingredients used across the three sauce variations.
Are these sauces good for a cozy gathering?
Yes, the description notes they are perfect for both quick weeknight dinners and cozy gatherings.
How many cans of tomatoes do I need for one batch?
You need two 28-ounce cans of crushed tomatoes.
What is the preparation for the oregano?
The oregano should be removed from the stems and then chopped.
Does the recipe include nutritional information like calories?
No, the provided data shows calories, fat, and other nutritional values as null.
What is the suggested serving size?
While the serving size is not specified in grams, the recipe is intended for 4-6 servings.