How to Thicken Pasta Sauce (5 simple ways)

There's nothing quite as comforting as a delicious, hearty plate of pasta topped with a rich and flavorful sauce. However, sometimes the pasta sauce turns out too watery, leaving you with a less-than-satisfying meal. Fear not! In this post, I will walk you through 5 effective methods to thicken pasta sauce and transform it into a mouthwatering masterpiece.

Pasta is an easy weeknight dinner than can be enjoyed any time of year. And making homemade tomato sauce is always more delicious (not to mention budget-friendly) than using store-bought sauce.

But if your sauce turns out too thin or watery, I've got several different ways to help you thicken it.

Jump to:

• 🤔 How do you Fix Liquidy Pasta Sauce?
• 1. Simmer and Reduce
• 2. Add Pasta Water
• 3. Add Tomato Paste
• 4. Make a Roux
• 5. Make a Cornstarch Slurry
• 👩🏼‍🍳 Expert Tips
• 🍝 Conclusion
• 💬 Frequently Asked Questions
• 🍽 Related Posts
• How to Thicken Pasta Sauce

🤔 How do you Fix Liquidy Pasta Sauce?

Depending on how much time you have available and which ingredients you have in the pantry, there are a few different options to thicken up spaghetti sauce.

1. Simmer and Reduce

Sometimes your pasta sauce simply needs a little more cooking time to allow the water to evaporate and the sauce to thicken. The reduction method is the best way to thicken tomato sauce, as no additional ingredients are needed.

However, this method does require more cooking time than other methods. But, if you have the time, simmering your sauce longer will concentrate the flavors, making it taste better in the long run.

Instructions:

1. Pour your (watery) pasta sauce into a large saucepan.
2. Set the saucepan on the stove over medium heat.
3. Bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring occasionally to avoid burning. Simmer anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes.
4. As the sauce simmers, the liquid will evaporate, leaving you with a thicker, more concentrated sauce.
5. Continue simmering until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.

2. Add Pasta Water

Adding pasta water is the next easiest way to thicken pasta sauce. When you cook pasta, starch is released into the water. This starchy water not only helps to thicken your sauce, but it also helps your sauce stick to the pasta noodles.

It is a bit counterintuitive, as you would think that adding water would thin out your sauce, but because of the starch in the water, it actually helps to thicken it!

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. Before draining pasta, remove 1 cup of pasta water from the saucepan.
3. Depending on how much sauce you have, start by adding ⅓ cup of pasta water to your sauce. Stir well.
4. Continue to add pasta water, ⅓ cup at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.

3. Add Tomato Paste

Adding tomato paste is a classic way of thickening tomato sauce while also intensifying the savory tomato flavor. Because of its concentrated flavor, I recommend starting by adding 1 tablespoon of tomato paste at a time.

Instructions

1. Pour your thin pasta sauce into a large saucepan.
2. Set the saucepan on the stove over medium heat.
3. Add 1 tablespoon of tomato paste, stir to combine, and bring to a simmer. The tomato paste will melt into your sauce, creating a velvety texture.
4. Continue simmering for around 5 minutes, until your sauce is thick.
5. If the sauce is still not your desired consistency, be sure to taste it before adding more tomato paste, as the tomato flavor will have intensified.
6. If the tomato flavor isn't too strong, go ahead and add another tablespoon of tomato paste, stir, and simmer until sauce has thickened to your liking.

4. Make a Roux

Making a roux is a classic and easy way to thicken any pasta sauce. In general, you combine equal parts (1:1) flour and fat (usually butter), quickly creating a thick and creamy sauce.

Instructions

1. In a saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter (or heat 1 tablespoon olive oil) over medium heat.
2. Add 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour to the melted butter and whisk continuously to form a smooth paste.
3. Cook the roux for a minute or two to remove the raw flour taste.
4. Slowly pour in the pasta sauce while whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming.
5. Allow the sauce to simmer and thicken, stirring occasionally.

5. Make a Cornstarch Slurry

Making a cornstarch slurry is an easy way to make marinara sauce thicker. In general, you want to use a 2:1 ratio (water:cornstarch) to make a slurry.

You don't want to add cornstarch directly into your sauce, as this will cause the cornstarch to clump together, preventing a smooth sauce.

Making a cornstarch slurry won't change the flavor of your sauce, just the consistency.

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water to create a smooth slurry.
2. Add the slurry to the pasta sauce and stir well to combine.
3. Place the saucepan over medium heat and let it simmer for a few minutes until it thickens.

👩🏼‍🍳 Expert Tips

• Storage: Store your pasta sauce (in an airtight container) in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• How to freeze: After your sauce has completely cooled, pour it into quart-sized freezer bags (or freeze it in glass jars, leaving room at the top to allow for expansion) and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw, place in the fridge overnight.
• How to reheat sauce: Pour into a skillet over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until heated through.
• If you've got leftover pasta sauce, read my recent post for recipe ideas on what to make with spaghetti sauce.

🍝 Conclusion

Now that you've learned these simple techniques for thickening pasta sauce, you can elevate your pasta dishes to a whole new level. Whether you prefer a reduction method for intensifying flavors, the richness of a roux, the concentrated savory taste of tomato paste, or the simplicity of a cornstarch slurry, there's a method to suit your preference.

Experiment with these techniques and adjust the thickness according to your taste. Remember to taste and season your sauce as you go along to achieve the perfect balance of flavors. Happy cooking!

💬 Frequently Asked Questions

🍽 Related Posts

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