You need to get lunch or dinner on the table FAST. What’s a cook to do? Whip up one of these Quick & Easy Pasta Sauces, that’s what!
From alfredo to creamy roasted red pepper pasta sauce to pesto pasta perfection, most of these quick pasta sauce recipe whip up in under 5 minutes (and none more than 10!) Just pick your pasta, whip up the sauce while it cooks, and food is on the table!
Tips for Quick & Easy Pasta Sauces
- Your blender is your best friend. If you have a high-speed blender like a Vitamix, you’re going to love how easy it is to make quick pasta sauce recipes. While the pasta cooks, throw your ingredients into the blender and your pasta sauce is made.
- Save some of your pasta water. It’s magic for thinning pasta sauce and helping it to cling to every nook and cranny of your pasta.
- Add some fat. For an extra creamy, clingy sauce with loads of flavor, add a pat of butter or a little glug of good olive oil over the top of your mixed pasta and sauce and toss it in.
Okay, okay. You’re here for quick and easy pasta sauce and you don’t have time for any more jibber jabber. I gotcha! 😉 Here’s the list …
1. Green Pasta Sauce
Green Pasta Sauce
With this pasta sauce, it's EASY being green (sorry Kermit)! Creamy avocado, nutritious kale, garlic, and lemon blend together to make an avocado-pesto pasta sauce situation. Bonus – the sauce takes only a couple of minutes to make. All you have to cook is your pasta!
Get the Recipe for Green Pasta Sauce
2. Puttanesca Sauce
Puttanesca Sauce
Thick with savory umami flavors, this tomato-based puttanesca only takes about 15 minutes to make. Dress bowties, spaghetti, penne pasta and more with this luxe flavor-packed pasta sauce.
Get the Recipe for Puttanesca Sauce
3. Cashew Alfredo
Dairy-Free Cashew Alfredo Sauce Recipe
Even dairy-lovers adore this luxuriously creamy, garlicky Alfredo sauce. A benefit to this being cashew based is that there's no cooking involved. Just whip up the sauce in your blender – it takes less than five minutes – then toss with pasta or gnocchi. So creamy and good!
Get the Recipe for Alfredo sauce
4. White Bean “Alfredo”
White Bean “Alfredo” Sauce
Here's another non-dairy Alfredo sauce that's super fast to whip up. With a short list of ingredients and only a few minutes to make, this super creamy, protein-rich pasta sauce is great on standard pasta or veggie "noodles" like zucchini ribbons.
Get the Recipe for Creamy White Bean Alfredo
5. Mac & “Cheese” Sauce
Ultra Creamy Dairy-Free Mac & Cheese Sauce
Here's another case where a vegan/dairy-free cashew-based alternative is way faster and easier! The cheesy-tasting sauce (trust me) coats every last bit of pasta for a comfort food situation that is so cozy and delicious!
Get the Recipe for Dairy-Free Mac & Cheese Sauce
6. Romesco Sauce
Romesco Sauce
Stir a few spoonfuls of this Romesco Sauce into your favorite pasta and excellent things happen! With roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, smoked paprika, garlic, and more, it's a flavor-forward sauce that's incredible with pasta.
Get the Recipe for Romesco Sauce
7. Pesto
Pesto
Pesto is perfect for pasta! And I'm not just alliterating, it's true. It whips up in the blender super easily and adds so much flavor to pasta. Just toss the cooked pasta in the pesto and YUM. Add Parmesan cheese if you're okay with dairy and even some sliced cherry tomatoes. Super fast, super easy.
Get the Recipe for Homemade Pesto
8. Coconut Milk Peanut Sauce
Creamy Peanut Sauce
Coat spaghetti or rice noodles with this coconut milk peanut sauce for a creamy, dreamy situation. I love peanut sauce noodles with steamed broccoli on the side.
Get the Recipe for Peanut Sauce
9. Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce
Burst Cherry Tomato Sauce
This quintessential summertime fave is amazing when cherry tomatoes are at the peak of freshness, but also transforms store-bought cherry tomatoes into a heavenly partner for pasta. Olive oil + sliced garlic + cherry tomatoes + fresh basil make an amazing pasta sauce in about 12 minutes.
Get the Recipe for Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce
10. Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Sauce
Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Sauce
While it's not completely no-cook, this pasta sauce does come together quickly. Sautéed onions join up with roasted red peppers, cashews, salt & pepper for a vibrant, delicious, and uber-creamy pasta sauce that coats every bit of pasta.
Get the Recipe for Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Sauce
10 Quick & Easy Pasta Sauce Recipes
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup raw cashews*
- 1/2-3/4 cup water
- 1 medium clove garlic (peeled**)
- 2 teaspoons nutritional yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt + more to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper + more to taste
For serving:
- 14.5-ounce package gnocchi or 8 ounces cooked pasta
- Fresh minced parsley or chiffonaded basil
Equipment
- High-speed blender (like a Vitamix)
Instructions
Make Quick & Easy Alfredo Pasta Sauce
- Place cashews, 1/2 cup water, garlic, nutritional yeast, onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper into the pitcher of a high-speed blender. Puree until completely blended, 1-2 minutes. The sauce should be the consistency of eggnog, buttermilk, or a thick heavy whipping cream. If it's thicker than that, add 2 tablespoons of water at a time until you get it there. Taste and add additional salt and pepper if desired.
Mix with Pasta
- Cook and drain pasta or gnocchi and add back to the pot. Pour sauce over the top and toss until gnocchi or pasta is coated. Add herbs if you like and serve!
Notes
* I find that with my Vitamix high-speed blender, it’s not necessary to soak my cashews first. If you want to ensure a creamy sauce or have a different type of blender, try soaking the cashews for 20 minutes in boiling water first. Drain, rinse, and proceed.
** Depending on your blender, you may want to chop your garlic first to help prevent large chunks in your sauce. I add a whole clove to my Vitamix and it purees completely.
Gluten-free note
The sauce itself is gluten-free, but of course, you’ll want to select a gluten-free pasta or gnocchi.Nutrition Facts
Serving: 0.25cup, Calories: 140kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Sodium: 295mg, Potassium: 180mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 9mg, Iron: 2mg
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I’m so glad you’re here! I’m a vegetarian home cook, certified plant-based pro, and mom. I’m married to an enthusiastic carnivore, and my mission is to achieve peace in the kitchen – one tasty recipe at a time. These days, with a name like mine, I also try not to ask to speak to the manager.
