Italian cuisine is all about creating a unique tandem of flavors, and most times, the heart of the meal is its sauce. Every pasta enthusiast, undoubtedly, has a favorite pasta sauce. When ordering during a night out, you might be tempted to try something new, and knowing what it’s made of is important especially for people with unique dietary preferences. Look no further: this glossary of the best Italian pasta sauces is going to help you learn each one inside and out!
Carbonara
A carbonara is a great sauce for cheese lovers. Made with hard cheese, egg, pepper, and guanciale, carbonara sauces usually lean on Pecorino Romano to make a bold and rich flavor that pairs well with thinner kinds of pasta and is usually served in Primo.
Amatriciana
If the pecorino, Parmigiano, and pancetta sound good, but you want something a bit more traditional in terms of tomato base, amatriciana is a wonderful traditional pasta sauce. With variations including garlic, onion, and other tie-ins, amatriciana can be mobilized to make any number of amazing plates of pasta. Try our Bucatini All’ Amatriciana!
Sherry Cream Sauce
A dairy-based sauce made with heavy cream, butter, and delicious dry sherry, this is a wonderful combination for a course meant to be eaten alone. For example, Ravioli All’ Aragosta, featuring Maine lobster and crab meat is served with sherry pink sauce. The thick, rich flavor is enough to make you want to skip other courses and head straight for dessert.
Bolognese
A Bolognese is a tomato and meat-based sauce that many serve with farfalle. At Strega by Nick Varano, Pappardelle Bolognese is featuring ragu of ground tenderloin. The rich flavors and fats of the cooked meat pour into the tomato base to make a very hearty flavor, and one that is well worth having seconds.
Scampi
Light as any sauce on this list, a scampi is made with butter, garlic, and lemon. It’s light yet the full flavor is often found with seafood dishes. Our chefs recommend Linguine Alle Vongole Veraci with Littleneck clams.
Fra Diavolo
When serving seafood but looking for a bit more of a kick, the cayenne infused spice of a Fra Diavolo gives everyone at the table a robust flavor with enough heat to keep the wine coming.
The key to any great Italian sauce is knowing the basic ingredients. Italian cuisine is at its best when cooked masterfully, and at Strega, we like to set the standards. For authentic, Italian flavors, make a reservation at Strega North End – Boston’s best bet for delicious meals and extraordinary dining experiences.
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