18 Pasta Sauces You Can Make From What's Already in Your Fridge

A good sauce can turn a simple pantry dinner into something that feels homemade and satisfying. These easy pasta sauce recipes are handy for busy evenings when you need dinner to come together without much planning. Pick one for tonight and give your usual pasta a fresh twist.

Hearty Marinara Sauce for Easy Pasta Nights

A breaded mozzarella stick being dipped into a bowl of marinara sauce. — Marinara Sauce. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Canned tomatoes and a handful of pantry seasonings turn into a rich, savory sauce with very little fuss. It’s just right for those nights when you need a comforting pasta dinner quickly.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Marinara Sauce for Easy Pasta Nights

Easy Basil Cashew Pesto Without Pine Nuts

A bowl of green pesto sauce with a spoon, surrounded by cashews, basil leaves, and a lemon slice. — Basil Cashew Pesto. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Fresh basil and creamy cashews come together for a bright, flavorful pesto with a wonderfully smooth texture. It takes just minutes to make and is perfect when you want to dress up pasta without making another trip to the store.
Get the Recipe: Easy Basil Cashew Pesto Without Pine Nuts

Homemade Béchamel White Sauce Recipe with Cheese

Béchamel White Sauce with Cheese. Photo credit: Saving Talents.

A creamy white sauce gets a deliciously cheesy finish, making it wonderfully versatile for all kinds of comfort-food dishes. Keep it in your back pocket for pasta, baked dishes, or anytime dinner needs a little extra richness.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Béchamel White Sauce Recipe with Cheese

Authentic Bolognese Sauce Beef Ragù

Bolognese Sauce Beef Ragù. Photo credit: Cooking My Dreams.

Slowly simmered beef creates a deeply savory sauce with the rich, comforting flavor of a classic Italian ragù. Spoon it over pasta for the kind of hearty meal that feels like it has been passed down through generations.
Get the Recipe: Authentic Bolognese Sauce Beef Ragù

Blender Beet Pasta Sauce with Walnuts

Earthy beets and walnuts blend into a smooth, colorful sauce that gives pasta a beautiful pop of color and flavor. Since everything comes together in the blender, it’s a handy option for an easy dinner or make-ahead meal.
Get the Recipe: Blender Beet Pasta Sauce with Walnuts

Sweet and Spicy Pasta Sauce with Creamy Cannellini Beans

Pasta Sauce with Creamy Cannellini Beans. Photo credit: My Chef's Apron.

Tomatoes, sweet vegetables, white beans, and a touch of spice create a hearty sauce with plenty of texture and flavor. It’s a cozy choice for pasta night and works beautifully when you want to make a simple meal feel more substantial.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Spicy Pasta Sauce with Creamy Cannellini Beans

Philadelphia Cream Cheese Pasta Sauce for Weeknights

Philadelphia Cream Cheese Pasta Sauce. Photo credit: The Short Order Cook.

Cream cheese melts into a silky, savory sauce that coats pasta beautifully and comes together with minimal effort. It’s the kind of quick comfort food you can turn to when everyone is hungry and dinner needs to happen soon.
Get the Recipe: Philadelphia Cream Cheese Pasta Sauce for Weeknights

Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce with Creamy 10-Minute Flavor

Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce. Photo credit: Enza's Quail Hollow Kitchen.

Tangy sun-dried tomatoes bring bold flavor to a smooth, creamy sauce with a touch of savory cheese. It comes together quickly and gives even a simple bowl of pasta a rich, restaurant-style feel.
Get the Recipe: Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce with Creamy 10-Minute Flavor

Lemon Butter Sauce for Pasta, Fish and More

Lemon Butter Sauce. Photo credit: The Sage Apron.

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Bright lemon and buttery richness come together in a silky sauce with a delicate savory finish. It’s wonderfully versatile, so you can spoon it over pasta, fish, chicken, or whatever else needs a little lift at dinner.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Butter Sauce for Pasta, Fish and More

Puttanesca Sauce Recipe

Puttanesca Sauce. Photo credit: Drugstore Divas.

Bring bold Italian flavor to the table with this easy recipe. The savory, briny combination creates a lively sauce that pairs beautifully with pasta. It’s a quick choice when you want a satisfying homemade dinner without spending much time in the kitchen. Serve it over fresh linguine for a cozy meal ready in about 20 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Puttanesca Sauce Recipe

Cottage Cheese Vodka Sauce for Easy Dinners

Cottage Cheese Vodka Sauce. Photo credit: Simple And Fraiche.

Blended cottage cheese creates a creamy texture in this rich tomato-based sauce, while a splash of vodka adds extra depth. It’s a quick, comforting option for pasta night when you want something satisfying without spending much time at the stove.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Vodka Sauce for Easy Dinners

Mushroom Cream Sauce for Pasta and More

Mushroom Cream Sauce. Photo credit: Maple and Mango.

Tender mushrooms simmer into a rich, creamy sauce with plenty of savory depth. Pour it over pasta, chicken, steak, pork, or potatoes when you want an easy way to make dinner feel extra comforting.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Cream Sauce for Pasta and More

Balsamic Brown Butter Pasta Sauce

Nutty brown butter and tangy balsamic create a silky sauce with a subtle sweetness and plenty of savory character. It pairs beautifully with simple or stuffed pasta when you want something special without a complicated recipe.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Brown Butter Pasta Sauce

Simple Sunday Sauce Recipe with Beef Short Ribs

Simple Sunday Sauce with Beef Short Ribs. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Beef short ribs slowly simmer into a deeply flavored meat sauce that’s rich, hearty, and made for lingering over dinner. It’s a wonderful choice when you have time to let a comforting Italian-style meal develop its full flavor.
Get the Recipe: Simple Sunday Sauce Recipe with Beef Short Ribs

Pasta Sauce with Red Peppers for a Creamy Dinner

Pasta Sauce with Red Peppers. Photo credit: My Good Food World.

Roasted red peppers create a smooth, vibrant sauce with plenty of sweet and savory flavor. It’s an easy way to turn a simple bowl of pasta into a colorful, satisfying dinner that feels a little more special.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Sauce with Red Peppers for a Creamy Dinner

Tomato Cauliflower Pasta Sauce for Weeknight Dinners

Tomato Cauliflower Pasta Sauce. Photo credit: Enza's Quail Hollow Kitchen.

Cauliflower blends with tomato sauce and Parmesan to create a creamy, savory topping for pasta. It’s a comforting way to add more vegetables to dinner while keeping the familiar flavors everyone enjoys.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Cauliflower Pasta Sauce for Weeknight Dinners

Brown Butter Alfredo Sauce with Garlic and Lemon

Nutty brown butter, garlic, lemon, and a hint of red pepper give this creamy Alfredo a wonderfully bold flavor. It’s quick to prepare and makes pasta, pizza, or even a basket of breadsticks feel extra indulgent.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Alfredo Sauce with Garlic and Lemon

Homemade Creamy Tomato and White Bean Sauce

Creamy Tomato and White Bean Sauce. Photo credit: Moderately Messy RD.

A garlicky tomato sauce gets extra body from creamy white beans, creating a hearty topping with a smooth texture. It’s a smart way to turn a simple pasta dinner into something more filling and flavorful using ingredients you may already have around.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Creamy Tomato and White Bean Sauce