Best 3 Traditional Italian American Pasta Sauce Recipes

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Embark on a culinary journey to Italy with our traditional Italian-American pasta sauce recipes. These delectable sauces, passed down through generations, capture the essence of authentic Italian cooking, offering a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. From the classic tomato sauce, a staple in many Italian kitchens, to the rich and savory meat sauce, packed with aromatic herbs and tender pieces of meat, our collection caters to diverse preferences. Seafood lovers will delight in the fragrant seafood sauce, bursting with the goodness of the ocean, while vegetarians can indulge in the hearty and flavorful vegetable sauce. Each recipe is carefully crafted to ensure an explosion of taste and authenticity. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary adventure, our detailed instructions and easy-to-follow steps will guide you towards creating a pasta dish that will leave your family and friends craving for more. So, gather your ingredients, don your apron, and let's embark on a culinary adventure that pays homage to the traditions of Italian cooking.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

AUTHENTIC (QUICK) ITALIAN TOMATO SAUCE FOR PASTA



Authentic (Quick) Italian Tomato Sauce for Pasta image

NOTE: To enjoy with pasta as soon as the sauce is ready, put a large pot of salted water on the cooktop over high heat and cook the pasta (I prefer De Cecco) as directed (if you are using egg or a very quick cooking pasta, do this about half-way through these directions).

Provided by Christina Conte

Categories     Main Courses

Time 15m

Number Of Ingredients 7

4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 to 5 cloves fresh garlic (not in a jar, dried, powdered, or frozen) preferably grown in USA/Europe
small bunch of fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped (my family likes to use parsley in sugo)
1 (28-32 oz) about 800g carton/jar of whole, chopped tomatoes or puree (like Mutti, or Bionaturae) any tomatoes listed on the Greatest Tomatoes from Europe site will be fantastic or about 1 lb of fresh tomatoes (San Marzano, Roma or cherry tomatoes are great)
about 1 1/2 level tsp sea salt
3 or 4 large leaves of fresh basil, more to add to each plate, if desired
Parmigiano Reggiano to grate on top

Steps:

  • Pour the oil into a large saute pan (not a deep pot) over medium high heat. Crush the garlic and add it to the oil (if you want a spicy sauce, you can add some hot pepper, fresh or flakes, at this point). Saute the garlic until it just starts to brown, then add the parsley.
  • Turn the heat up to high. Now add the tomatoes, and quickly cover with the lid for about 30 seconds, until the squirting subsides. Stir with a wooden spoon and lower the heat a little. It is important that this sauce is cooked at a fast simmer, as it is cooked briefly.
  • Add the salt and continue to simmer at a fast pace, and stir often.
  • The sauce will thicken quickly, so do not overcook it, and have it become too thick; about 5 to 7 minutes should be sufficient.
  • Taste the sauce, if it doesn't taste delicious, it probably just needs a little more salt. Turn off the heat and add the fresh basil (I tear mine into pieces). Also, unless absolutely necessary, do not wash your basil. Wipe it with a damp paper towel instead, so the water doesn't ruin the flavor and aroma.
  • Add sauce to the drained pasta (save some pasta water to add back into the pasta in case it's too dry), and enjoy immediately with some freshly grated authentic Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and/or pepper.
  • Also, if you've been plating pasta in a bowl, then topping it with sauce, this is American-style. If you want to serve it the way they do in Italy, mix the sauce in and then plate it.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 135 calories, Carbohydrate 8 grams carbohydrates, Cholesterol 1 milligrams cholesterol, Fat 12 grams fat, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 2 grams protein, SaturatedFat 2 grams saturated fat, ServingSize 4, Sodium 498 milligrams sodium, Sugar 4 grams sugar, TransFat 0 grams trans fat, UnsaturatedFat 9 grams unsaturated fat

ITALIAN PASTA SAUCE



Italian Pasta Sauce image

I picked up this recipe when I lived in Italy; everyone loves it. Thought it was time to share! The Merlot and chicken granules are very important ingredients that set this recipes aside from other sauces.

Provided by Celeste Debruzzi

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

Time 1h15m

Yield 18

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 large cloves garlic, minced
2 (28 ounce) cans tomato sauce
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
¾ cup Merlot wine
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
3 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
3 tablespoons dried basil leaves
3 tablespoons Italian seasoning
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir onion and garlic in hot oil until the onion is translucent, 5 to 7 minutes.
  • Sit tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, wine, tomato paste, chicken bouillon granules, basil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper with the onion mixture. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat to low, and cook at a simmer, stirring frequently, for 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 63.5 calories, Carbohydrate 10.1 g, Cholesterol 0.1 mg, Fat 1.2 g, Fiber 2.6 g, Protein 2.4 g, SaturatedFat 0.2 g, Sodium 788.1 mg, Sugar 6.3 g

ITALIAN PASTA SAUCE



Italian Pasta Sauce image

As a special part of their wedding buffet, my daughter Kris' husband fixed a big batch of this thick flavorful pasta sauce. The recipe was brought by his grandmother from Italy more than 80 years ago. -Judy Braun, Juneau, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 2h55m

Yield 20 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 16

4 pounds ground beef
1 pound bulk Italian sausage
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 celery ribs, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cans (28 ounces each) crushed tomatoes in puree
3 cans (6 ounces each) tomato paste
3 cups chicken or beef broth
1 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
3/4 cup minced fresh parsley
1 tablespoon sugar
2 to 3 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice, optional
Hot cooked pasta

Steps:

  • In a Dutch oven or soup kettle, cook beef in 2 batches over medium heat until no longer pink; drain and set aside. Cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain and set aside. In the same pan, saute onion, celery and garlic in oil until vegetables are tender. , Return the beef and sausage to the pan. Add the next 9 ingredients, including allspice if desired, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until sauce reaches desired thickness, stirring occasionally, 2-3 hours. Serve over pasta.Freeze option: Freeze cooled sauce in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally. Add a little broth or water if necessary.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 284 calories, Fat 15g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 57mg cholesterol, Sodium 821mg sodium, Carbohydrate 16g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 23g protein.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the sauce will taste. Look for fresh, ripe tomatoes and herbs, and use a good quality olive oil.
  • Brown the meat before adding it to the sauce: This will help to develop the flavor of the meat and add a richer flavor to the sauce.
  • Simmer the sauce for at least 30 minutes: This will allow the flavors to meld and develop. The longer you simmer the sauce, the better it will taste.
  • Add some red wine to the sauce: This will add a depth of flavor and richness to the sauce. Use a dry red wine, such as a Chianti or a Pinot Noir.
  • Season the sauce to taste: Add salt, pepper, and other seasonings to taste. Be careful not to over-season the sauce, as you can always add more seasonings later.
  • Use fresh herbs: Parsley and basil are the most common herbs used in Italian-American pasta sauce, but you can also use oregano, thyme, and marjoram.

Conclusion:

Whether you're a novice cook or a seasoned pro, this traditional Italian-American pasta sauce recipe is sure to please. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a delicious and authentic sauce that will transport you to the heart of Italy. So next time you're craving a hearty and flavorful pasta dish, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

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