Our Favourite Italian Tomato-Based Sauces

Jarring The Italian Harvest — Premium Sauces that just need heating.

At Carluccio’s, we believe that exceptional pasta begins with simple, top-quality ingredients. Few things form the foundation of Italian cooking quite like sun-ripened tomatoes. Sourced from trusted artisan producers in Puglia, our ready-to-use sughi capture the true warmth and flavour of the Italian region.

Whether you are pulling together a midweek supper in minutes or baking a rich pasta dish for the family, here are four of our favourite tomato-based sauces from our online deli.

1. Sugo Pomodoro e Basilico (Tomato & Basil Pasta Sauce)

The ultimate Italian classic. Made with sweet, handpicked Puglian tomatoes and fragrant basil leaf, this sauce is pure comfort in a jar. It is wonderfully balanced with no unnecessary fluff—just simple, honest ingredients cooked down to perfection.

• How to enjoy: Heat it gently and toss straight through long pasta shapes. It also serves as a luxurious base for pizza, an ideal foundation for a soup, or spooned onto toasted crostini. Finish with a grating of Parmigiano Reggiano or sharp Pecorino Romano.

2. Sugo all’Arrabbiata (Tomato & Chilli Pasta Sauce)

For those who like a subtle kick, arrabbiata (meaning "angry" in Italian) brings the fiery heat of the southern sun straight to your plate. Prepared using fresh tomato pulp and puree without added sugar or preservatives, this recipe achieves the ideal balance of garlic, rich tomatoes, and warming red chilli.

• How to enjoy: Stir through cooked Penne or bronze-die Bucatini. If you prefer extra heat, drizzle over a small spoon of chilli oil just before serving.

3. Sugo alla Puttanesca (Tomato, Olive & Caper Pasta Sauce)

Deeply aromatic, tangy, and rich in Mediterranean flavour. Our plant-based interpretation of this famous recipe combines sweet tomatoes with dark olives, capers, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and parsley. The result is a vibrant, savoury sauce brimming with punchy coastal notes.

• How to enjoy: Simply warm in a pan and toss through your favourite long pasta. It pairs beautifully with seafood or can be served alongside a crisp green salad.

4. Sugo all’Ortolana (Mixed Vegetable Sauce)

Inspired by the bounty of Italian vegetable gardens (l’orto), this sun-kissed sauce features a medley of slow-cooked vegetables. Onions, carrots, celery, and garlic are gently sautéed, then simmered alongside sweet peppers, courgettes, aubergines, and tomatoes with a generous glug of extra virgin olive oil.

• How to enjoy: The rich texture clings wonderfully to twisted pasta shapes like Trottole, holding the sauce in every curve. It is also fantastic for a hearty vegetarian Pasta al Forno (pasta bake) topped with plenty of melted cheese.

Bring the Flavours of Italy Home

Each jar in our collection offers a quick, effortless way to bring true regional Italian cooking to your kitchen table. Explore these four staple sauces alongside artisan pasta shapes over in the Carluccio’s online deli.