Mangia Bene! 5 Easy Italian Pasta Sauces for the Less Confident Home Cook

Simple Italian Pasta Supper's With Help From Carluccio's

At Carluccio’s, we believe that Italian food is all about “mof mof”—minimum of fuss, maximum of flavour. You don’t need to be a trained chef to create a soul-warming bowl of pasta. If you’re a bit nervous in the kitchen, these five classic sauces are the perfect place to start.

The best part? You don’t even have to start from scratch. We’ve curated a selection of authentic sauces in our online deli, made by small family producers in Italy, so you can enjoy restaurant-quality meals with zero stress.

1. The Spicy One: Sugo all’Arrabbiata

If you like a bit of a "kick," this is your best friend. In Italian, arrabbiata means "angry," referring to the heat of the chilli. It’s simple, bold, and incredibly satisfying.

• The Cheat: Use our Sugo all'Arrabbiata. We’ve already balanced the garlic and chilli for you.

• The Method: Simply warm the sauce in a pan while your pasta cooks. Toss together with a splash of pasta water.

• Best with: Penne or any pasta with ridges to catch the spicy sauce.

2. The Crowd-Pleaser: Tomato & Basil

This is the ultimate comfort food. It’s light, fragrant, and loved by children and adults alike. It’s the sauce that proves simple is often best.

• The Cheat: Grab a jar of our Sugo Pomodoro e Basilico. It uses sun-ripened Italian tomatoes that have a natural sweetness you can't find in standard supermarkets.

• The Method: Heat gently and finish with a drizzle of our Carluccio’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil for a silky, professional finish.

• Best with: Spaghetti or Gnocchi.

3. The Roman Classic: Sugo all’Amatriciana

Feeling a bit more adventurous? Amatriciana adds a salty, savory depth to a tomato base using guanciale (cured pork cheek) or pancetta. It tastes like it took hours, but it takes minutes.

• The Cheat: Our Sugo all'Amatriciana is a rich pork and tomato sauce that is ready to go.

• The Method: Just simmer the sauce while you cook your pasta al dente.

• Best with: Bucatini or Rigatoni.

4. The Pantry Hero: Sugo alla Puttanesca

This sauce is famous for its punchy, "umami" flavour. It’s a bold mix of tomatoes, olives, capers, and garlic. It’s the perfect choice for when you want something with a lot of character.

• The Cheat: Skip the chopping and use our Sugo alla Puttanesca.

• The Method: Heat the jarred sauce and toss with your pasta. No extra seasoning required—the olives and capers do all the work!

• Best with: Spaghetti.

5. The "Green Gold": Pesto di Basilico

Pesto is the king of no-cook sauces. It’s fresh, vibrant, and requires absolutely no heat—making it the safest bet for any nervous cook.

• The Cheat: Our Pesto di Basilico Ligure uses authentic Genovese D.O.P. Basil.

• The Method: Never boil pesto! Simply put a few tablespoons in a bowl, add a little hot pasta water to loosen it into a cream, and stir through your cooked pasta.

• Best with: Trofie or Fusilli.

Antonio’s Top Tip for Success

Regardless of which sauce you choose, always remember the golden rule: Save the Water. Before you drain your pasta, scoop out a small cup of the cloudy, starchy cooking water. Adding a splash of this to your sauce helps it emulsify and cling to the pasta, giving you that glossy, restaurant-style finish every time.