5 Easy Sauce Recipes That Go With Everything
By Rossi Voss | November 5, 2024 | Prep: 5–10 mins | Cook: 0–15 mins | Servings: 4–6 | Cost: $0.50–$1.20/serving
Sauces are a beginner’s best friend in the kitchen—they can transform the simplest meal into something flavorful and exciting. As someone who’s written Stockpot Cookbook: 139 Simple and Hearty Recipes and 100 Beginner’s Instant Pot Sauce Recipes (only $0.99!), I’ve perfected these 5 easy sauce recipes that are quick, versatile, and perfect for pasta, chicken, veggies, and more.
All recipes use 5–7 ingredients, require no fancy tools, and take under 15 minutes. Keep them on hand for last-minute meals.
1. Quick Tomato Sauce
Servings: 4 | Prep: 5 mins | Cook: 15 mins | Cost: $0.80/serving
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil 5 mins. Add tomatoes and seasoning. Simmer 10 mins. Blend if smooth texture is desired. Serve over fluffy rice or pasta.
2. Beginner-Friendly Shawarma Sauce
Servings: 6 | Prep: 10 mins | Cook: 0 mins | Cost: $0.60/serving
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Whisk all ingredients in a bowl. Chill 30 mins for best flavor. Serve with grilled chicken, roasted veggies, or in wraps.
3. Creamy Garlic Sauce
Servings: 4 | Prep: 5 mins | Cook: 10 mins | Cost: $1.20/serving
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 cup milk
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Melt butter. Whisk in flour to form roux. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly. Add garlic and cook 5–7 mins until thickened. Drizzle over roasted veggies or chicken.
4. Soy-Ginger Marinade
Servings: 4 | Prep: 5 mins | Cook: 0 mins | Cost: $0.50/serving
- ¼ cup soy sauce (low-sodium)
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp sesame oil
Instructions:
Whisk all ingredients in a bowl. Use as marinade for chicken, beef, or tofu (30 mins to 4 hours). Also works as a stir-fry sauce or dipping sauce.
5. Herb Yogurt Dip
Servings: 6 | Prep: 10 mins | Cook: 0 mins | Cost: $0.70/serving
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Whisk all ingredients in a bowl. Chill 30 mins. Serve with roasted potatoes, raw veggies, flatbreads, or sandwiches.
Tips for Pairing Sauces with Meals
- Tomato Sauce → Pasta, pizza, meatballs
- Shawarma Sauce → Grilled meats, wraps, veggie bowls
- Creamy Garlic Sauce → Roasted veggies, chicken, seafood
- Soy-Ginger Marinade → Stir-fries, noodles, grilled tofu
- Herb Yogurt Dip → Fresh veggies, flatbreads, sandwiches
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these sauces ahead?
Yes! All five sauces can be made 3–5 days ahead and stored in airtight containers in the fridge.
Can I freeze these sauces?
Tomato and soy-ginger sauces freeze well. Yogurt-based sauces may separate—best kept refrigerated.
What if I don’t have fresh herbs?
Use 1 tsp dried herbs per 1 tbsp fresh. Dill, parsley, and thyme work well in dried form.
Final Thoughts
With these easy sauce recipes, you’ll always have a way to boost flavor without stress. Try one this week and see how it transforms your meal!
Want more sauce inspiration? Try my 100 Beginner’s Instant Pot Sauce Recipes — packed with 100+ tested, beginner-friendly sauces for every meal.
Which sauce will you try first? Share your creations on social media with #RossiVossSauces.
Happy Cooking!
Rossi Voss
Related posts you may like:
Labels: Sauces, Beginner Recipes, Easy Cooking, Home Cooking