NigelThomas · Culinary Reference

Top 5 Classic Pasta Sauces

Composition, allergens & traditional pairing — at a glance

1
Bolognese
Slow-braised minced meat & tomato, red wine, soffritto. Holds well on a steam table.
Tagliatelle · Pappardelle Gluten · Milk · Celery · Sulphites
2
Arrabbiata
Fast tomato, garlic, olive oil, chilli. No dairy — most allergen-flexible of the five.
Penne · Spaghetti May contain traces of gluten
3
Alfredo
Butter, cream, Parmesan emulsion. Fragile — breaks if held or reheated carelessly.
Fettuccine Gluten · Milk
4
Pesto Genovese
Raw basil, pine nuts, Parmesan, olive oil, garlic. Never cooked — finished à la minute.
Trofie · Linguine Tree nuts (pine nuts) · Milk
5
Carbonara
Egg & Pecorino/Parmesan emulsion off direct heat, guanciale or pancetta. No cream in the authentic version.
Spaghetti · Rigatoni Gluten · Egg · Milk
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