5 Versatile Sauces Everyone Should Master

Pesto adds a powerhouse of flavor to any dish. We like to keep a batch on hand to toss with pasta, spread on sandwiches, add to salads or top our favorite grilled meats and veggies. Try our Fresh Basil Pesto in any of these recipes for a burst of freshness.

Chimichurri, a common condiment in Argentina, is made from parsley, garlic, olive oil and white vinegar. In our classic Chimichurri Sauce you can use either curly- or flat-leaf (Italian) parsley (flat-leaf has a stronger, more peppery flavor). We especially love it paired with grilled steak, but it goes well with any grilled meat

If it’s not already, peanut sauces deserves to be a part of your dinner repertoire. Our 10-Minute Homemade Peanut Sauce is every bit as easy as it sounds. Paired with noodles, grilled poultry and meats, or used as a dipping sauce, it’s a surefire hit.

So much flavor can come from such a simple sauce. Case in point: classic Alfredo. Made with butter, cream and Parmesan cheese, it makes almost everything more delicious. We’re adding our homemade version to everything from simple fettuccine noodles to pizza. Learn our secrets to this sauce with our How To Make Alfredo Sauce video.

No home cook should be without a solid tomato sauce recipe. We love this Make-Ahead Roasted Roma Tomato Sauce as a way to get rich, summer tomato flavor all year round. It’s versatile enough to go from dressing up simple pasta to adding flavor to pulled pork enchiladas.