188 basic sauce recipes

This pasta sauce is basically a variation on the Indian raita, a cooling, soothing combination of cucumber, cilantro and yogurt.

Cheesy eggplant parmigiana layers crisp breaded fried eggplant with a garlicky tomato-basil sauce and plenty of Parmesan and mozzarella, baked bubbling and golden. The classic Italian vegetarian comfort dish.

Seafood linguine with shrimp, scallops, and mussels in a tomato-chili-basil sauce, brightened with lemon zest and white wine. Italian coastal classic, feeds six.

Pasta primavera with zucchini, yellow squash, and bell peppers in a quick tomato-basil sauce over fresh linguine. An Italian vegetable pasta ready in 30 minutes.

Bay scallops with vermicelli in a fresh tomato-basil sauce, finished with cream and a whisper of nutmeg. A lighter Italian seafood pasta for weeknight dinners.

Classic eggplant Parmigiana with breaded and fried eggplant rounds layered with homemade tomato-basil sauce, Parmesan, and sliced mozzarella. The Italian-American staple done from scratch.

Cappellacci stuffed pasta squares filled with ricotta, spinach, and nutmeg, baked in homemade tomato-basil sauce. A from-scratch Italian project worth every fold.

Stuffed polenta with meat sauce: two layers of Parmesan polenta sandwiching a meaty tomato-basil sauce and mozzarella, baked hot until bubbly. A lighter Italian alternative to lasagna.

Freezer-friendly beef meatballs in a creamy mushroom-basil sauce served over brown rice with buttered carrots. Batch-cook now, reheat later for easy weeknight dinners.

An easy yet delicious recipe. I followed the recipe, and used whatever I had on hand. Then just mixed them up, and baked in the oven until the cheese was nicely browned. I let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes, then served it. Overall a great dish.

Sardinian pasta with fresh tomato basil sauce made from plum tomatoes cooked slowly in olive oil and finished with butter. Five-ingredient Italian pasta that showcases peak summer tomatoes.

Oversized ravioli filled with mascarpone potatoes, sautéed mushrooms, and a whole egg yolk that oozes when you cut in. Topped with crispy pancetta and fresh tomato-basil sauce.