Best 10 Mamas Italian Pasta Sauce Recipes

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In the realm of Italian cuisine, pasta takes center stage, and no dish embodies the essence of Italian culinary artistry quite like a hearty and flavorful pasta sauce. This article presents a collection of tantalizing pasta sauce recipes, each offering a unique symphony of flavors and aromas. From the classic tomato-based sauce, a staple in every Italian kitchen, to the rich and creamy Alfredo sauce, the delectable pesto sauce bursting with fresh herbs, and the elegant puttanesca sauce with its briny and tangy notes, this article has something for every palate. Whether you prefer a quick and easy weeknight dinner or an elaborate weekend feast, these pasta sauce recipes will elevate your culinary repertoire and transport you to the heart of Italy with every bite.

Here are our top 10 tried and tested recipes!

JO MAMA'S WORLD FAMOUS SPAGHETTI



Jo Mama's World Famous Spaghetti image

My kids will give up a steak dinner for this spaghetti. It is a recipe I have been perfecting for years and it is so good (if I may humbly say) that my kids are disappointed when they eat spaghetti anywhere else but home! In fact they tell me I should open a restaurant and serve only this spaghetti and garlic bread. In response to requests, I have posted the recipe for Recipe #28559 that uses approximately 1/2 of the sauce from this recipe. Have spaghetti one night and lasagna later! Thanks to all of you who have tried my recipe and have written a review. I read and appreciate every one of them! Chef Note: After I posted this recipe I remembered a funny incident--my dear husband usually has a nice bottle of wine handy so when I make a batch of spaghetti I just help myself to a splash of it. On one occasion, there wasn't a bottle opened, but there was a bottle sitting on the counter so I got out the corkscrew and helped myself. For some reason, the spaghetti that night was the best ever. My husband asked what wine I put in it and I showed him the bottle. He nearly fell off the chair. I had opened a rather expensive bottle he had bought to give his boss. Goes to show you--don't use a wine for cooking you wouldn't drink. You get the best results from a good wine!

Provided by SharleneW

Categories     Spaghetti

Time 1h20m

Yield 4 quarts, 10-14 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 lbs Italian sausage, casings removed (mild or hot)
1 small onion, chopped (optional)
3 -4 garlic cloves, minced
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
2 cups water (for a long period of simmering for flavors to meld. If you don't want to simmer it as long, add less)
3 teaspoons basil
2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
1 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4-1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper
1/4 cup red wine (a good Cabernet!)
1 lb thin spaghetti
parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • In large, heavy stockpot, brown Italian sausage, breaking up as you stir.
  • Add onions and continue to cook, stirring occasionally until onions are softened.
  • Add garlic, tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce and water.
  • Add basil, parsley, brown sugar, salt, crushed red pepper, and black pepper.
  • Stir well and barely bring to a boil.
  • Stir in red wine.
  • Simmer on low, stirring frequently for at least an hour. A longer simmer makes for a better sauce, just be careful not to let it burn!
  • Cook spaghetti according to package directions.
  • Spoon sauce over drained spaghetti noodles and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

MOM'S SPAGHETTI SAUCE



Mom's Spaghetti Sauce image

A great sauce for any pasta dish, I usually leave the meats out for most baked dishes. This recipe came to me from my Mother, a full-blooded Italian-American, with a few minor additions/changes by me. I have never found a recipe that I like as much, but then I am probably biased. Cook time is 1 to 8 hours depending on how long you have. Mom used to cook it all day. I like to go at least two hours, but I have spent as little as 45 minutes on the cook time.

Provided by Wally Wilkins

Categories     Sauces

Time 2h30m

Yield 2 quarts

Number Of Ingredients 23

2 stalks celery
1 large onion
2 -4 cloves garlic (or 2-4 tablespoons of diced garlic from the jar You can adjust to taste.)
3 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste (I prefer Contadina)
2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans tomatoes (Use what you prefer, but I like the diced Italian Seasoning type)
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 lb ground beef or 1 lb stewing beef, cut in cubes (optional)
2 tablespoons olive oil (can use vegetable oil if you prefer)
4 -8 ounces sliced mushrooms (optional)
2 -4 ounces black olives, chopped or sliced (optional)
1 bell pepper (optional)
oregano
thyme
sweet basil
rosemary
cumin
italian seasoning, can be used in place of the above spices
bay leaf
crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
garlic powder
onion powder
salt
black pepper

Steps:

  • Cut celery and onion (and bell pepper if used) as fine as you prefer.
  • If you like chunky style sauce make the pieces bigger, I like mine chopped fairly small.
  • In a large skillet, heat 1-2 tblspn of oil, when oil is hot (not smoking) add celery and stirfry.
  • As celery begins to clarify, add onion (and bell pepper, if used) and stirfry until it begins to glaze, add chopped garlic, stir for a short time (don't let anything begin to brown).
  • If using meat, add ground beef or stew beef and brown, stirring regularly, adjust heat to make sure nothing burns.
  • Salt and black pepper to taste.
  • Transfer to a larger pot (if you have a good sized pot that you can brown in, you can just start with that instead of using the skillet.).
  • Stir in tomato paste and cook until the color darkens.
  • Stir in tomatos and tomato sauce.
  • Add spices (Italian seasoning or individual spices) to taste.
  • Add 3 Bay Leaves.
  • Stir in mushrooms and/or black olives and crushed red pepper, if desired.
  • Stir in 1-2 cans of water (I use the tomato paste, tomato and tomato paste cans to get the leavings out of them.).
  • Adjust heat to simmer.
  • Let cook for at least 1 hour, longer if you can, and stir regularly.
  • Check spice to taste and add what you want.
  • You can cook this for a little while or for a longer time.
  • I prefer at least 2 hours to give all the spices a chance to blend well.
  • But it can be cooked for as little as a half hour.
  • If you want it to cook for a long time, monitor the thickness and add water as needed.
  • Don't forget to remove the Bay Leaves before serving.
  • Some people like to add a pinch of sugar to cut the acidity, but I believe that the Bay Leaves accomplish this and have never used sugar.
  • When done, serve over or mix with the cooked pasta of your choice.
  • Add grated parmissan if desired.
  • Also individuals can add crushed red pepper to their own servings, for those who like it a little spicier.
  • If making a baked dish such as Lasagna, Ziti, etc.
  • you may want to make the sauce a little thinner (add water) to start with.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1002.5, Fat 50.2, SaturatedFat 15.7, Cholesterol 154.2, Sodium 3359.7, Carbohydrate 90.4, Fiber 21.5, Sugar 55.3, Protein 60.9

MAMA PALOMBA'S SPAGHETTI SAUCE



Mama Palomba's Spaghetti Sauce image

I got this recipe 30-plus years ago from a neighbor's mother who lived in Italy. It is delicious and always well received. Sub all or part of the ground beef and sausage for turkey or chicken products to lighten the recipe.

Provided by Linda T

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Pasta Sauce Recipes     Meat Sauce

Time 4h

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 (28 ounce) cans plum tomato puree
½ pound hot Italian sausage, sliced into bite-sized pieces
½ pound mild Italian sausage, sliced into bite-sized pieces
2 pounds ground chuck
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, diced
1 ½ cups water
1 (12 ounce) can tomato paste
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon dried basil, or to taste
1 tablespoon dried oregano, or to taste
1 tablespoon dried parsley, or to taste

Steps:

  • Heat tomato puree in a large pot over medium-low heat; simmer while prepared the remaining ingredients.
  • Heat a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir hot Italian sausage, mild Italian sausage, and ground chuck until browned and cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove cooked sausage and chuck with a slotted spoon and transfer to the simmering tomato puree.
  • Cook and stir onion and garlic in the same skillet used for browning meat until onions are lightly browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer onion mixture to meat mixture.
  • Stir water and tomato paste in the same skillet used for onion mixture over low heat until slightly thickened, about 15 minutes; add to the sauce in the pot. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese, basil, oregano, and parsley over the sauce; stir to combine. Simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, for 3 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 215.5 calories, Carbohydrate 15.1 g, Cholesterol 36.7 mg, Fat 11.9 g, Fiber 3.1 g, Protein 13.8 g, SaturatedFat 4.5 g, Sodium 828 mg, Sugar 7.9 g

SUNDAY STASH MARINARA SAUCE



Sunday Stash Marinara Sauce image

This simple, flavorful tomato sauce is a weeknight savior. Make a big batch and stash it in the freezer. Add to pastas, braises, soups, and stews in the weeks to come.

Provided by Anya Hoffman

Categories     Sauce     Garlic     Onion     Oregano     Tomato     Small Plates     Kid-Friendly     Sunday Stash

Yield Makes about 12 cups

Number Of Ingredients 7

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 Vidalia or other sweet onions, peeled, very coarsely chopped
6 garlic cloves, peeled
2 tsp. dried oregano
4 (28-oz.) cans whole peeled tomatoes
4 tsp. kosher salt, plus more
1 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, plus more

Steps:

  • Heat oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium. Cook onion and garlic, stirring occasionally and being careful not to let brown, until aromatic, about 3 minutes. Add oregano and stir to combine. Using your hands, crush tomatoes and add to pot along with juices; season with 4 tsp. salt and 1 1/2 tsp. pepper.
  • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until sauce is reduced slightly, about 1 hour. Remove from heat and blend with an immersion blender until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Do Ahead: Sauce can be made 5 days ahead. Store in an airtight container and chill, or freeze up to 6 months.

MAMA'S ITALIAN PASTA SAUCE



MaMa's Italian Pasta Sauce image

This is the way my (Italian) Mom made her sauce. I learned by watching many times. The quantities of ingredients are approximate and can be adjusted to your own taste. You can also use fresh herbs in place of the dried. When I make it during the summer I use basil, oregano, parsley, and mint picked fresh from the garden. When...

Provided by Fred Alam

Categories     Other Sauces

Time 3h45m

Number Of Ingredients 15

3 lb italian pork sausage cut into 2 or 3 in. links (hot, sweet, or mild)
3 Tbsp olive oil, extra virgin
1 medium onion (diced)
3 clove garlic (finely choped or crushed)
2 can(s) (6 oz.) tomato paste
1/2 c red wine
1 Tbsp parsley flakes
2 tsp oregano, dried
2 tsp sweet basil, dried
1 1/2 tsp dried mint (cuts acid in tomatoes)
4 can(s) (28 oz.) crushed tomatoes
to taste salt
to taste black pepper
to taste crushed red pepper (if you want to add a kick)
1/2 c parmigiano-reggiano, grated

Steps:

  • 1. In a large dutch oven or heavy sauce pan heat olive oil. Place sausage links in pan. Turn until evenly browned. Remove to a platter.
  • 2. Add onion to pan stirring until translucent. Add garlic. Be careful not burn the garlic. Stir for about a minute. Add tomato paste, parsley, oregano, basil,and mint and stir for about a minute. Add red wine and stir for a couple minutes while scraping all the goodness off the bottom of the pan.
  • 3. Add crushed tomatoes and stir to mix paste and wine into the tomatoes. Stir in parmigiano cheese. Add the sausage back to the pan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to very low and simmer for 2 1/2 to 3 hrs. Stir occasionally to keep from sticking to bottom of pan.
  • 4. About 15 min. before the sauce is done sprinkle in some more parsley, oregano, basil, and mint to freshen the flavor and add color. Serve over your favorite pasta.

MAMA'S SPAGHETTI SAUCE



Mama's Spaghetti Sauce image

My mom's standard spaghetti sauce recipe - loved by all. Half of a 28 oz can of Dei Fratelli tomato sauce is used in this recipe, simply because we prefer the brand. If you want to use a 14 1/2 - 15 oz can of another brand, that works too. (Dei Fratelli doesn't sell a smaller can.) This recipe is at it's absolute best the day after making it.

Provided by KissKiss

Categories     Sauces

Time 2h30m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 large onion, chopped
1/2 lb ground sirloin
1 -2 link mild Italian sausage, removed from casing and broken into small bits
28 ounces petite diced tomatoes (Dei Fratelli)
0.5 (28 ounce) can tomato sauce (Dei Fratelli, plain)
6 ounces tomato paste
1 -2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 -2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
2 -3 bay leaves

Steps:

  • In a large Dutch oven, melt the butter with the olive oil, add the garlic and onion, and saute until onion is soft/translucent.
  • Add the ground sirloin and Italian sausage and cook until no longer pink.
  • Stir in the remaining ingredients, adding the bay leaves last so as not to break them up during stirring. Adjust the seasonings as needed to suit your taste.
  • Bring the sauce to a boil, then turn heat down to the lowest possible heat and let simmer for 2 hours covered with an offset lid.
  • Serve with cooked spaghetti and parmesan cheese.

MY MOTHER'S MARINARA SAUCE



My Mother's Marinara Sauce image

Provided by Alex Guarnaschelli

Time 1h10m

Yield about 2 quarts

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 large yellow onions, peeled, halved and diced
10 cloves garlic, peeled, halved and cut into thin slices
2 to 3 teaspoons red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
Kosher salt
3 medium carrots, peeled and grated
Two 28-ounce cans whole peeled tomatoes
4 cups water, divided, plus more as needed
1 cup basil leaves, washed
Freshly grated Parmesan

Steps:

  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, the garlic, red pepper flakes, and sugar and season with salt, to taste. Stir in the carrots and reseason with salt. Cook for about 2 minutes, and then add canned tomatoes. Use a wooden spoon to break up some of the whole tomatoes and cook over medium heat, stirring from time to time, about 20 minutes. If at any point the veggies or the sauce is getting dry, add some water. Continue cooking another 10 minutes, and then taste for seasoning. The tomatoes should be fairly broken down and the flavors coming together. Cook an additional 10 minutes. The sauce cooks about as long as it takes to make the meatballs from start to finish, about 45 minutes. Stir in the basil leaves and season with Parmesan.

MAMA MAURO'S RED SAUCE



Mama Mauro's Red Sauce image

Provided by Jeff Mauro, host of Sandwich King

Categories     condiment

Time 1h20m

Yield 4 cups

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 pounds fresh tomatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped fine (about 1 cup)
2 medium cloves garlic, minced or pressed through a garlic press (about 2 teaspoons)
2 teaspoons dry Italian seasoning blend
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/3 cup dry red wine, such as Chianti or Merlot
1 bay leaf
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 to 2 teaspoons sugar, as needed
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Steps:

  • Bring a pot of water to a boil. Score the top of each tomato with a ¿T.¿ Drop the tomatoes in the water for 2 minutes, then remove with tongs and let cool. Once cool, peel off the skins and squish out most of the seeds of the tomatoes; you can use plastic gloves to handle the tomatoes during this process. (If you like you can freeze the tomatoes at this point and continue making the sauce at another time.)
  • Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and golden around the edges, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic, Italian seasoning and oregano and cook, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the wine and deglaze the pan by scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
  • Add the tomatoes and bay leaf and increase the heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring every couple of minutes, until the sauce is thickened and deep red, 50 to 60 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add a bit of sugar if it is too acidic. Discard the bay leaf. Add the basil when ready serve.

MAMA'S SPAGHETTI WITH MEAT SAUCE



Mama's Spaghetti With Meat Sauce image

This is adapted from my mom's spaghetti recipe. It's a family favorite that simmers while you prepare the pasta--great for busy nights. Leftovers make a great lunch. I usually serve this over spaghetti, but sometimes I use linguine, fettucine, or penne. Good with garlicky bread and a salad. You can also make the sauce ahead and freeze it (it freezes quite well); just thaw and heat.

Provided by Halcyon Eve

Categories     Spaghetti

Time 45m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 lb 95% lean ground beef
1 -2 garlic clove, minced
1 small onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 cup sliced mushrooms (or use 2 small cans sliced mushrooms, drained)
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans tomato sauce
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
3 -4 tablespoons mixed Italian herbs
2 dried bay leaves
salt
fresh ground black pepper
1 pinch brown sugar (optional)
2 (12 ounce) packages dry pasta
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Brown beef in a saucepot or large, deep skillet over medium heat; drain.
  • Add garlic and saute until just turning white.
  • Add onion, celery, and mushrooms. Saute until tender, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Add tomatoes with juice and tomato sauce. Stir to combine. Add tomato paste and mix together. Stir in herbs and bay leaves. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add a pinch of brown sugar, if desired.
  • Bring sauce to a simmer; reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, prepare pasta according to package instructions.
  • Before serving, remove bay leaves and taste; adjust seasoning as desired. Serve over hot pasta, sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.

MAMA LEONE'S ITALIAN TOMATO SAUCE (GOOD FOR MANY USES)



Mama Leone's Italian Tomato Sauce (Good for Many Uses) image

I grew up across the street from a real Mama Leone-an amazing Irish woman who had an Italian husband and a live-in Italian mother-in-law who taught her to cook. This awesome recipe was a neighbourhood favourite. It has been equally popular with everyone who has ever tasted it. It is an all-purpose Italian sauce. I usually make it for spaghetti and have added optional instructions for that purpose. Without the meat, it is vegan friendly. It's also a good pizza sauce base. You can add other herbs, spices and vegetables if you like, but we have always kept it simple. That's why once it was a lifesaver for a friend who is allergic to garlic. The sauce freezes extremely well.

Provided by Leggy Peggy

Categories     Sauces

Time 3h10m

Yield 10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

16 ounces tomato sauce (puree)
16 ounces tomato paste (concentrate)
80 ounces water (that's five cans of water from the tomato cans you've used)
3 teaspoons salt (the original recipe called for six, but that is way too salty these days)
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (some friends who make this insist they need to use more cinnamon. I have a very good quality cinnamo)
2 dried hot red chiles (you can substitute chilli flakes about 1/4 teaspoon)
2 bay leaves
2 lbs lean hamburger (optional)
2 medium onions, chopped (optional)

Steps:

  • Put all ingredients (except the meat and onions) in a large pot.
  • Stir well and bring to a boil. Continue to stir occasionally until it boils, so the cinnamon is incorporated.
  • Reduce to a simmer and cook for three to four hours. Continue to stir occasionally. You can speed up this step, if you leave it on a boil, but I think the flavour improves if it is not rushed.
  • The sauce needs to cook until it bloops-namely until the sauce splashes out of the pot and makes a bit of a mess on the stove top (or wall in my case).
  • Remove and discard the chillies and bay leaves.
  • What to do next if you intend to serve this sauce over pasta. Saute the beef until it loses most of its pink colouring, then add the onions and saute until tender.
  • Drain off any fat.
  • Add meat mixture to cooked sauce and stir well.
  • Heat the mixture well, then ladle over pasta.

Tips:

  • Use the best quality ingredients you can find. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your sauce.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of tomatoes. There are many different varieties available, each with its unique flavor.
  • Cook the sauce low and slow. This will allow the flavors to develop and deepen.
  • Season the sauce to taste. Add salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices as needed.
  • Let the sauce cool completely before storing it. This will help to preserve the flavor.

Conclusion:

Mama's Italian Pasta Sauce is a delicious and versatile sauce that can be used on a variety of dishes. It's easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. Whether you're using it on pasta, chicken, or vegetables, this sauce is sure to be a hit. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give Mama's Italian Pasta Sauce a try!

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