Vegetarian pasta sauce recipe | Jamie Oliver pasta recipes (2024)

FAQs

What can I put on pasta when I have no sauce? ›

Simply melt butter and sprinkle in some garlic powder. Toss your spaghetti or favorite type of pasta in this delightful mixture to create a filling and appetizing meal. This is a great way to enjoy pasta on hot days, when a heavy pasta sauce is just too filling.

Tossing in strips of basil, a sprig of thyme or some oregano can take your sauce to the next level. Although fresh herbs might pop a bit more, dried herbs and spices can work just as well. Sprinkling in some red pepper flakes, a pinch of parsley and a dash of salt and pepper can liven up your jarred pasta sauce.

How Long Pasta and Sauce Will Last in the Fridge. If you've ever wondered how long does pasta sauce last in the fridge, you're not alone. Homemade pasta sauce can be kept in the fridge for three to four days and store-bought sauce can last for up to four days.

Melt butter with garlic very slowly to avoid burning the garlic. Season with parsley, salt, black pepper, and cayenne. Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss until well coated with butter. Increase the heat to medium and cook until pasta is heated through and has absorbed some of the butter.

Maybe it needs a touch of salt, red pepper flakes, or some fresh garlic to liven it up. You could add dried or fresh herbs too: oregano, basil, thyme, tarragon, parsley—they're all great! Want to go next level? Toss in some chopped anchovies (or anchovy salt), olives, or some lemon zest and/or juice.

Add butter. Yes, that's right. Toss in a few tablespoons of butter, and let it melt into the sauce. If you've never tried it before, it might seem strange, but a little butter makes tomato sauce rich and smooth, and also balances out too much acidity, which is common in jarred sauces.

A dollop of ricotta or mascarpone adds lightly sweet creaminess, while soft goat cheese or even a humble cream cheese adds tangy richness to elevate dull tomato sauce. A generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese makes any plate of pasta look all dressed up, while adding a welcome kick of umami.

Pungent fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, sage, tarragon, and marjoram can liven up tomato sauce with their bold, distinctive flavors. Add 1 to 2 sprigs of one or more of them to your favorite sauce, cover, and simmer at least 5 minutes to allow them to infuse in the sauce. Remove the sprigs before serving.

Cook your pasta to just before al dente.

Because pasta continues to cook after it's drained, remove it from the stovetop just before reaching the al dente stage. This is super important for thin pastas like angel hair and for pastas that will be baked with a sauce like lasagna.

Typically, the pasta at Olive Garden is cooked in boiling water until al dente, and the sauces are made from scratch using various ingredients, including herbs, spices, and fresh produce. Olive Garden's kitchen staff prepares the sauces in-house, often using traditional Italian recipes and techniques.

What makes homemade pasta better? ›

When you make pasta from scratch, you will be using fresh, healthier ingredients, which is naturally much better for your body. You only need minimal ingredients to make pasta: flour, water, and eggs.

Tomato-based pasta sauces, like marinara, stay fresh for about five to six days after opening, and oil-based sauces can last for a week or so. However, if you add perishables like dairy or meats, they are best used within three or four days.

You can make a big batch of this sauce and freeze it for up to 6 months. You can even freeze it into small portions and store in small Ziplock bags.

Pasta with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, and whatever veggies you want is a deceptively delicious way to pasta. Also known as “Aglio e Olio” (garlic and oil) pasta, this easy alternative to tomato sauce is quick, easy, and delicious.