There are just some nights where you want a big bowl of pasta, especially on those nights where you walk in the door from a long and busy day. It seems unlikely you’ll get to enjoy a good bowl of pasta, but I found a simple way to get a weeknight of pasta dinner on the table when you need dinner on the table quickly.
One of the best ways to get a pasta dinner quickly ready for the family is having a stockpile of sauces stashed in the freezer. They always taste better too. Even better than the jar you have in the pantry.
All you have to do is boil the pasta while the sauce heats up!
This saves you almost 45 minutes of preparing a meal. That’s a lot of time off for those busy nights you might have during the week, or if you are just wanting something quick on the table.
Check out these best pasta sauces for easy weeknight meals!
Helpful Tips
- Cream-based sauces don’t freeze well. If the sauce requires cream, just add it when you are reheating the sauce.
- Sauces with little amount of cheese, such as pesto, will freeze better. You can add the cheese after defrosting.
- To heat up the pasta sauces, warm gently over low heat in a saucepan or thaw in the fridge for quicker reheating the night before.
Pasta Sauces to Make-Ahead and Freeze
Homemade Marinara Sauces from Delish
This sauce is super easy to make and likely you already have these common ingredients in your home.
Meat-Lover’s Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce from Allrecipes
A great chunky and meaty sauce. Full of flavor as it cooks within your slow cooker.
Pesto from Goop
It only takes 5 minutes to make this delicious homemade pesto sauce. Add roasted cherry tomatoes for a little sweetness.
Easy Make-Ahead Alfredo Sauce from Simply Recipes
Prepare it right within 10 minutes.
Our Favorite Homemade Vodka Sauce from Nourish and Fete
A rich, creamy, and made with whole tomatoes. This is the best homemade vodka sauce!
Penne with Tomato and Porcini Mushroom Sauce from Woman and Home
A delicious vegetarian sauce that has a lovely rich flavor.