I can’t imagine life without pasta—it’s simply a way of life for me.
Pasta is a staple in our culture, and we have countless delicious recipes that go beyond the classic tomato sauce.
Let me tell you, growing up, my nonna (grandmother) would whip up the most incredible pasta dishes that didn’t rely on tomatoes.
From the creamy, cheesy perfection of pasta alla ricotta to the simple garlic spaghetti, these tomato free pasta sauce are the authentic taste of Italy.
tips on how to make perfect pasta
Whether with or without sauce, perfectly cooked pasta is essential.
Here are my tips:
Use a large pot: Cook your pasta in a large pot with plenty of water.
This will prevent the pasta from sticking together and ensure it is even cooked.
Salt the water: Add a good amount of salt to the boiling water before you add the pasta.
This will help bring out the pasta’s flavor.
Cook al dente: Italians love their pasta al dente, which means it should still have a slight bite.
Follow the cooking time on the package, but check the pasta a minute or two before the recommended time.
Reserve pasta water: Before draining the pasta, save a cup of the water.
This starchy liquid can help loosen the sauce and help it cling to the pasta.
Finish cooking in the sauce: To maximize flavor, finish cooking the pasta in the sauce.
21 Favorite Pasta Sauces without Tomato
#1 Pasta Alla Gricia Recipe
This traditional Roman pasta dish features crispy guanciale or pancetta, pecorino cheese, and black pepper for a rich and savory flavor.
It’s a simple sauce but full of flavor.
#2 Spaghetti Alla Nerano Recipe
This Neapolitan dish combines fried zucchini, garlic, and cheese to create a creamy sauce.
#3 Pasta with Peas and Bacon
A springtime delight, this recipe combines tender peas, crispy bacon, and a luscious cream sauce for a comforting and satisfying meal.
#4 Creamy Ricotta Pasta
Made with creamy ricotta, parmesan, and a touch of lemon, this pasta is pure comfort in a bowl, and there is no need to cook the sauce
#5 Pasta With Broccoli
This simple dish is full of flavor, tossed with sautéed broccoli, garlic, and chili flakes.
#6 Garlic Spaghetti Recipe (Spaghetti Aglio e Olio)
Sometimes, simplicity is key.
This classic Italian dish features spaghetti tossed in olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes. It’s a quick and easy sauce.
#7 Pasta With Cauliflower
It’s a delicious and satisfying option for a tomato free pasta sauce.
The perfect way to get picky eaters to eat cauliflower.
#8 Tortellini Alla Panna
A creamy, cheesy dream with four types of cheese (typically parmesan, pecorino, gorgonzola, and fontina) – comfort food at its finest.
#9 ROASTED RED PEPPER PASTA SAUCE
This easy and creamy roasted red pepper sauce is the perfect weeknight pasta sauce. It’s made with jarred roasted red peppers, cream, garlic, and basil!
Goes great with any pasta shape, and is ready in under 20 minutes!
#10 PISTACCHIO PASTA WITH CRISPY GUANCIALE
Creamy pistacchio pasta made with crispy guanciale.
This recipe is so easy to make using homemade pistachio pesto, tagliatelle and a little cream.
#11 Truffle Pasta
This simple truffle pasta recipe gives two options: with or without fresh truffles.
#12 TAGLIATELLE PESTO PASTA (TAGLIATELLE AL PESTO)
This Tagliatelle al Pesto is ready in 15 minutes and it tastes like it just came out of a fancy Italian restaurant!
It’s a great way to switch up your regular tomato sauce pasta without compromising on flavor.
#13 PENNE AI QUATTRO FORMAGGI
A creamy, cheesy dream with four types of cheese (typically parmesan, pecorino, gorgonzola, and fontina) – comfort food at its finest.
#14 spaghetti with clams
This classic Italian seafood pasta is bursting with flavors from fresh clams, garlic, white wine, and a hint of chili flakes.
#15 PASTA WITH SAFFRON AND PANCETTA
The sauce in this traditional pasta recipe from Abruzzo is made with pancetta, onions, cream and saffron.
It’s easy to make and outstandingly delicious!
#16 Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe
Spaghetti Carbonara is a classic Italian pasta dish featuring spaghetti, pancetta, egg yolks, freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese, and cracked black pepper.
Rich and creamy, it’s the simplest and most delicious pasta dish you’ll ever make!
#17 Pasta with Sardines and wild Fennel
Sardines and wild fennel come together in this unique and delicious pasta sauce.
The combination of flavors is exceptional, offering a taste of the sea with a hint of aromatic fennel.
#18 PAPPARDELLE AI FUNGHI
This earthy, flavorful pasta sauce features a medley of sautéed mushrooms, garlic, and herbs.
Tossed with wide pappardelle, it’s the perfect dish for mushroom lovers.
#19 paglia e fieno
Translating to “straw and hay,” this pasta dish combines green spinach and traditional egg pasta.
#20 Pasta with Potatoes
It is a rustic and hearty recipe that pairs tender potatoes with pancetta, basil, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Easy tomato free pasta sauce one-pan simplicity.
#21 Pappardelle Boscaiola
Rich and creamy, this three-ingredient pasta dish is fast to make, yet elegant enough for dinner parties.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH PASTA RECIPES
In Italy, we often enjoy pasta as a quick weekday lunch, usually as the sole dish.
However, Sunday is our big family meal.
We start with antipasti before moving on to pasta, then meat dishes and vegetables, and finishing with dessert.
I love serving pasta with chicken cutlets with orange salad or breaded pork with eggplant parmigiana and a classic tiramisu to finish.