There are many types of pasta sauces, from the light and simple marinara sauce to the bold and rich Alfredo sauce. Traditional sauces are made from a base of tomatoes, vegetables, herbs, cream, meat or cheese. Flavorful pasta sauce is just one reason Sardella’s Pizza and Wings is a top Arizona Pizza place.
Tomato-Based Sauces
A traditional tomato-based pasta sauce is known as marinara sauce. According to top Arizona pizza places, crushed or diced tomatoes are combined with chopped garlic, onions, and peppers and simmered until they reach a saucy consistency.
- Arrabbiata Sauce: Using traditional marinara sauce, add crushed red pepper flakes or chopped chili peppers to make Arrabbiata, a spicy version of the marinara sauce.
- Bolognese (Ragu) Sauce: Add two or more types of cooked meats (chopped), a variety of vegetables, including onions, celery and chili peppers and you have Bolognese sauce.
Cream-Based Sauces
Cream-based sauces are the richest types of pasta sauces because they usually contain heavy cream, along with butter, cheese or both.
- Alfredo Sauce: Alfredo is a rich, creamy white sauce mixed with butter and grated Parmesan cheese seasoned with pepper, and sometimes nutmeg. Alfredo sauce is typically served on fettuccine noodles and topped with vegetables, chicken or shrimp.
- Carbonara Sauce: Similar to Alfredo sauce, Carbonara sauce incorporates beaten eggs. This sauce is typically paired with spaghetti and topped with bacon or pancetta.
Wine-Based
Wine as the base for a pasta sauce can add a sweet yet light flavor to the dish. A common wine-based pasta sauce uses marsala, a fortified sweet Spanish wine, combined with richer ingredients like heavy cream and Parmesan cheese.
No-Cook Pasta Sauce
Some pasta sauces, like Pesto, don’t require cooking because the heat from the freshly boiled pasta is enough to soften the ingredients and enhance their flavors while forming a light sauce. According to top Arizona pizza places, pesto traditionally consists of crushed garlic, basil, and European pine nuts blended with olive oil, Parmigiano Reggiano, and fiore sardo.
Today, you can find pasta just about anywhere: from diners and cafes to food trucks and top Arizona pizza places. At Sardella’s Pizza and Wings, menu options include delicious pasta dishes like rigatoni and chicken parmesan.
