What is the difference between Pasta Sauce and Spaghetti Sauce?

What is the difference between Pasta Sauce and Spaghetti Sauce? - Selective Focus Photography of Pasta With Tomato and Basil

I'm deciding to make spaghetti squash today but can't decide what sauce to use: a pasta sauce or spaghetti sauce. I'm sure those are just general terms for many types of sauces, but can anyone give me an idea of the difference between the two? And also, what is marinara sauce?



Best Answer

Marinara sauce is a specific sauce, made with tomatoes, and probably garlic, onions, and herbs.

Spaghetti sauce, in the US, means something tomato-based, possibly with meat. I suppose it's based roughly on marinara or bolognese, depending on what variety you have.

Pasta sauce means absolutely any sauce you can put on pasta. Maybe some people have specific things in mind, certain sauces they use more often, but it's not a specific enough term that you can say "I'm making pasta sauce" and have everyone know even roughly what you mean. In the US, certainly tomato-based ones are extremely common, probably followed by creamy things like alfredo, but there's plenty beyond that.




Pictures about "What is the difference between Pasta Sauce and Spaghetti Sauce?"

What is the difference between Pasta Sauce and Spaghetti Sauce? - Stir Fry Noodles in Bowl
What is the difference between Pasta Sauce and Spaghetti Sauce? - Delicious yummy spaghetti pasta with Bolognese sauce garnished with parsley and served on table in light kitchen
What is the difference between Pasta Sauce and Spaghetti Sauce? - Salted Pasta



Quick Answer about "What is the difference between Pasta Sauce and Spaghetti Sauce?"

Spaghetti sauce, in the US, means something tomato-based, possibly with meat. I suppose it's based roughly on marinara or bolognese, depending on what variety you have. Pasta sauce means absolutely any sauce you can put on pasta.

Can you use traditional pasta sauce for spaghetti?

A Traditional Pasta Sauce Recipe with Spaghetti noodles is one of the world's best and most classic comfort foods.

Is marinara pasta sauce the same as spaghetti sauce?

Wondering about the difference between marinara sauce and spaghetti sauce? Spaghetti sauce is a version of marinara, but it usually contains additional ingredients, like meat or vegetables.

Is spaghetti and pasta the same thing?

Spaghetti is a type of pasta made of semolina or durum wheat flour and water. Spaghetti\u2014which comes from the Italian word \u201cspago\u201d meaning \u201cthread\u201d or \u201ctwine\u201d\u2014is a long, round pasta.

What is a substitute for spaghetti sauce?

Tomato paste is probably the easiest tomato sauce substitute. It has a similar flavor and when thinned out with water, has a very similar texture and consistency. Mix 1 part of tomato paste with 1 part of water and add seasonings if desired for a 1 to 1 substitute.



What is the difference between marinara and spaghetti sauce?




More answers regarding what is the difference between Pasta Sauce and Spaghetti Sauce?

Answer 2

This is not cut in stone, but I have heard people saying that spaghetti sauce needs to be 'stickier' than just any pasta sauce, because it has to coat the spaghetti enough to get a good balance of pasta and sauce.

You will find additional tricks for that, like not rinsing your spaghetti after cooking, letting it dry completely before adding the sauce, or using some of the cooking liquid in the sauce, so that it has a higher starch content.

That says nothing about the taste of the ingredients, only about the consistency. You can choose your ingredients to make a thicker sauce.
I noticed that letting my onions simmer for a long time, then again letting the sauce simmer for a long time, helps.

Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Lisa, Engin Akyurt, Klaus Nielsen, Dana Tentis