5 basic sauces you need to know

Ellie Donnell

Ellie is a strong believer that peanut butter makes everything better

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From midweek meals to Saturday night suppers, these 5 easy and versatile sauces will serve you time and time again. They can all be used, served and adapted to fit your own tastebuds. Try mixing up the spices in a curry sauce or use pesto as a dressing over salads. And how many ways can one use a roux? Think fish pie, macaroni cheese and lasagne to name a few.

Yes, it’s time to get a little bit saucy in the kitchen and we’re here to show you how.

Bolognese sauce

The beauty of a bolognese is in its simplicity. With good quality beef mince, tomatoes and red wine as its base, this sauce needs little more than time to simmer away until rich and intense. It’s also an excellent way to feed lots of hungry mouths at once, piled over pasta with a generous grating of parmesan.

Pesto

This is our classic pesto alla genovese but don’t restrict yourself to just the one herb. Swap basil for fresh-tasting watercress, make way for this mint recipe or add in some oomph with our punchy pesto.

Tomato sauce

From pasta and pizza to shakshuka and casseroles, there are lots of lovely ways to use a sweet-roasted tomato sauce. Make double and freeze half for a useful quick fix in the week.

White sauce

A white sauce, also known as a roux, forms the basis of so many family favourites. Check out these fabulous fish pies, drool over our marvellous macaroni cheese recipes or layer it in one of these crowd-pleasing lasagnes.

Curry sauce

It’s not hard to master the art of a cracking curry. Once you’ve nailed a basic curry sauce, you can get creative with all sorts of spices and flavours. Try turning this one into a creamy chicken korma, lamb rogan josh or a prawn madras.