David's Italian Sauces

The secret to a great homemade sauce is that anyone can do it.

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Photo By: Armando Rafael Moutela ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved. 2014, Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Armando Rafael Moutela ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved. 2014, Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

David's Italian Sauces

Italy is home to lots of famous sauces, from basic tomato and pesto to rich, hearty Bolognese. Use David's tips to master the country's best sauces.

Get Your Hands Dirty

David's motto: Hands are the best tools. Crushing whole plum tomatoes by hand gives tomato sauce more texture — plus, it's fun to play with your food!

La Salsa di 5 Minuti: Five-Minute Sauce

Tomato sauces are best if you cook them one of two ways: for a few minutes or all day long. Saute onion and garlic in olive oil, then simmer for a few minutes for a quick, all-purpose sauce.

Get the Recipe: La Salsa di 5 Minuti: Five Minute Sauce

Bolognese Sauce

Rocco keeps basic tomato sauce on hand to make more complex sauces, like this meaty Bolognese, a little easier. Combine chopped aromatics with ground beef and pork and wine and simmer with tomatoes for a flavorful Sunday sauce.

Get the Recipe: Bolognese Sauce

Classic Pesto

If you're a purist (David is), make your basil, pine nut and Parmigiano pesto with a mortar and pestle for a coarser grind. You can also use a food processer for quicker results.

Get the Recipe: Pesto

Parsley-Lemon Pesto

Basil's not the only herb worthy of becoming pesto. David makes this rustic version with chopped flat-leaf parsley, lemon, Parmigiano and olive oil.

Get the Recipe: Parsley-Lemon Pesto

Pesto Amalfitana

David uses ingredients common on the southern Italian Amalfi coast for this pesto: parsley, walnuts, garlic, oil and Parmesan cheese.

Get the Recipe: Pesto Amalfitana

Bechamel Sauce

David uses this rich, milk-based sauce as a layer in his lasagna. To make it, stir together equal parts butter and flour in a pan, then wisk in milk and cook until thick.

Get the Recipe: Bechamel Sauce

Chili Sauce

David mixes fresh chile peppers, basil, garlic and sun-dried tomatoes to create a spicy-hot sauce. Use it to spice up basic tomato sauces or veggie dishes, or spread on bread slices.

Get the Recipe: Chili Sauce

Chili Pepper Jam

This bright, sweet-hot jam is simple to make, and delicious atop aged cheese like Parmigiano Reggiano.

Get the Recipe: Chili Pepper Jam