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.
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, I'll send you easy and delicious recipes every week!
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?
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:
- Pour your (watery) pasta sauce into a large saucepan.
- Set the saucepan on the stove over medium heat.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring occasionally to avoid burning. Simmer anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes.
- As the sauce simmers, the liquid will evaporate, leaving you with a thicker, more concentrated sauce.
- 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
- Cook pasta according to package instructions.
- Before draining pasta, remove 1 cup of pasta water from the saucepan.
- Depending on how much sauce you have, start by adding ⅓ cup of pasta water to your sauce. Stir well.
- 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
- Pour your thin pasta sauce into a large saucepan.
- Set the saucepan on the stove over medium heat.
- 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.
- Continue simmering for around 5 minutes, until your sauce is thick.
- 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.
- 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
- In a saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter (or heat 1 tablespoon olive oil) over medium heat.
- Add 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour to the melted butter and whisk continuously to form a smooth paste.
- Cook the roux for a minute or two to remove the raw flour taste.
- Slowly pour in the pasta sauce while whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming.
- 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
- In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water to create a smooth slurry.
- Add the slurry to the pasta sauce and stir well to combine.
- 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
The quickest and easiest way to thicken pasta sauce is to add starchy pasta water. It not only helps to thicken your sauce, but it also helps the sauce stick to your pasta noodles.
The best and simplest way is to simply reduce your sauce by cooking it at a low simmer until you've reached your desired consistency. If you don't have extra time, adding pasta water or tomato paste are also excellent methods to thicken watery sauce.
Yes, depending on how watery your sauce is, you may need to simmer the sauce anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes. Keep an eye on it and give it a stir every few minutes, until you've reached your preferred level of thickness.
🍽 Related Posts
Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. You can also stay in touch with us through social media by following us on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook.
Subscribe to my email newsletter to get a FREE e-book of 20 vegetarian recipes, and get new recipes delivered to your inbox every week!
How to Thicken Pasta Sauce
Ingredients
Tomato Paste Method:
- 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
Roux:
- 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
Cornstarch Slurry:
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 Tablespoons water
Instructions
Tomato Paste Method:
- Pour your thin pasta sauce into a large saucepan.Set the saucepan on the stove over medium heat.
- 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.
- Continue simmering for around 5 minutes, until your sauce is thick. 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.
- 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.
Make a Roux:
- In a saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter (or heat 1 tablespoon olive oil) over medium heat.
- Add 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour to the melted butter and whisk continuously to form a smooth paste.
- Cook the roux for a minute or two to remove the raw flour taste.
- Slowly pour in the pasta sauce while whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming.
- Allow the sauce to simmer and thicken, stirring occasionally.
Make a Cornstarch Slurry:
- In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water to create a smooth slurry.
- Add the slurry to the pasta sauce and stir well to combine.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and let it simmer for a few minutes until it thickens.
Notes
- 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.
Barb
More helpful tips that are useful. With tomato season here, having fresh pasta sauce in the refrigerator is great! Thank you!
MaryAnne
You are welcome! 😍
Pamela K. Melenchenenchen
To thicken by tomato sauce if a little watery, toward the end of cooking my sauce, I add fresh grated parmesan & romano cheese. 1/4 to 1/2 cup slowly.
MaryAnne
Hi Pamela, that sounds like a delicious way to thicken tomato sauce! Thanks for sharing!
Gary S
I use regular flour, never cornstarch.
MaryAnne
Hi Gary, there are so many easy ways to thicken pasta sauce. It really just comes down to how much time you have, and what you have available in your pantry. Thanks for stopping by my site!
Zac
Great tips! Thank you for the advice!
Have you ever tried finely minced carrots? I love pasta sauces even though canned tomatoes and/or tomato paste don't like me! When I make a sauce I try to use fresh tomatoes, but if I have to go to a canned option, I'll finely - and I mean Finely - mince a couple of carrots and throw them in the sauce. Not only do the carrots do their thing with the acidity, but they thicken the sauce as well. Turns out super yummy.
I know it's not a traditional approach for the purists out there...
MaryAnne
You are welcome, Zac! I've never thought to add minced carrots, but I'll have to give that a try in the future. Thanks for sharing!
Lisa
Thank you for the tips! I hadn’t considered adding tomato paste before, but it sounds like such a yummy thing to try.
MaryAnne
You're welcome, Lisa! Yes, it helps to thicken and adds more concentrated flavor. It's a win-win!
Louis Forte
Use instant mashed potatoe flakes.
MaryAnne
I've never tried that, Louis, so thanks for the suggestion!