8 Ways To Thicken Watery Pasta Sauce
The perfect consistency for pasta sauce will depend on personal preference and the specific type of pasta and sauce you are using.
In general, pasta sauce should be thick enough to coat the pasta evenly and stick to it, but not so thick that it clumps or becomes difficult to stir.
Below, find out the best ways to thicken pasta sauce, so you have a delicious topping to your pasta every time.
How to Achieve Perfect Pasta Sauce Consistency
Here are a few tips for achieving the perfect consistency for pasta sauce:
- Use good-quality tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes as a base for your sauce. This will help give your sauce a nice, thick consistency without having to add too many thickening agents.
- If your sauce is too thin, you can try simmering it for longer to reduce the excess liquid. You can also try adding a small amount of cornstarch or flour to your sauce to help thicken it up.
- If your sauce is too thick, you can try adding a little bit of water or broth to thin it out. You can also try adding some cream or milk to give your sauce a creamier consistency.
- Adjust the consistency of your sauce to match the type of pasta you are using. For example, if you are using a thinner pasta like angel hair, you may want to use a thinner sauce. If you are using a thicker pasta like fettuccine, you may want to use a thicker sauce.
Ultimately, the perfect consistency for pasta sauce is a matter of personal preference, so you may need to experiment with different techniques and ingredients to find what works best for you.
How To Thicken Pasta Sauce
If your pasta sauce is too thin and watery, there are a few ways to fix it and still have a wonderful dinner.
These methods of thickening pasta sauce require the adding of more ingredients to the sauce. The alternative way is to cook it differently, which we get into below these options.
#1. Simmer Longer
In general, pasta sauces can be simmered for anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours, depending on the desired consistency and flavor.
A longer simmer will reduce the liquid in the pasta sauce, making it thicker. To quicken the process, you can simmer the sauce without a lid on to allow for more evaporation.
#2. Add Cornstarch
Cornstarch is a common thickening agent that can be used to thicken pasta sauce. To use cornstarch, mix a small amount (1-2 tablespoons) with a little bit of cold water to create a slurry. Then, slowly add the slurry to the pasta sauce while stirring constantly. Be sure to cook the sauce for a few minutes after adding the cornstarch to allow it to fully thicken.
#3. Add Flour
Flour can also be used to thicken pasta sauce. To use flour, mix a small amount (1-2 tablespoons) with a little bit of cold water to create a slurry. Then, slowly add the slurry to the pasta sauce while stirring constantly. Be sure to cook the sauce for a few minutes after adding the flour to allow it to fully thicken.
#4. Add Cheese
Ricotta cheese is a soft, creamy cheese that can be used to thicken and add richness to pasta sauce. To use ricotta cheese, add a small amount (1-2 tablespoons) to your sauce and stir it in until it is fully incorporated.
Parmesan cheese is also great for thickening pasta sauce, since it’s a flavor already associated with pasta. Grate the Parmesan on the finest setting before mixing it into the sauce, so it melts quicker.
#5. Add Tomato Paste
Tomato paste is a thick, concentrated tomato sauce that can be used to add depth of flavor and thickness to pasta sauce. To use tomato paste, add a small amount (1-2 tablespoons) to your sauce and stir it in until it is fully incorporated.
#5. Add Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes can be used to thicken pasta sauce. Mashed potatoes are a good choice for thickening pasta sauce because they are starchy and can help to absorb excess liquid, creating a thicker consistency.
To use mashed potatoes to thicken pasta sauce, follow these steps:
- Cook and mash some potatoes until they are soft and smooth.
- Add a small amount of the mashed potatoes to your pasta sauce and stir until it is fully incorporated.
- Repeat this process until you have achieved the desired thickness for your sauce.
Keep in mind that using mashed potatoes to thicken pasta sauce will also add a potato flavor to the sauce. This can be a delicious addition to some sauces, but may not be desirable in others. You may want to experiment with adding small amounts of mashed potatoes to your sauce and tasting as you go to find the right balance.
#6. Add Breadcrumbs
Breadcrumbs are a good choice for thickening pasta sauce because they are starchy and can help to absorb excess liquid, creating a thicker consistency.
To use breadcrumbs to thicken pasta sauce, follow these steps:
- Toast some breadcrumbs in a dry pan over medium heat until they are golden brown and fragrant.
- Add a small amount of the toasted breadcrumbs to your pasta sauce and stir until they are fully incorporated.
- Repeat this process until you have achieved the desired thickness for your sauce.
Keep in mind that using breadcrumbs to thicken pasta sauce will also add a bread-like flavor to the sauce. This can be a delicious addition to some sauces, but may not be desirable in others. You may want to experiment with adding small amounts of breadcrumbs to your sauce and tasting as you go to find the right balance.
#7. Add & Simmer Meat
When meat is cooked in a sauce, it releases its juices and collagen, which can help to add body and thickness to the sauce. This is especially true for meats with a higher fat content, like ground beef or pork.
To use meat to thicken pasta sauce, follow these steps:
- Brown the ground meat (beef, pork, chicken, turkey, etc) in a pan over medium heat until it is fully cooked.
- Add the cooked meat to your pasta sauce and simmer for a few minutes to allow the meat to release its juices and collagen into the sauce.
- Stir the sauce occasionally to ensure that the meat is fully incorporated and to prevent it from clumping.
#8. Add Pasta Water
It may seem odd to add more water to a pasta sauce that is already too thin, but hear me out. Pasta water is the starchy water that is left over after cooking pasta. It is rich in starch and can be used to help thicken sauces, soups, and other dishes.
To use pasta water to thicken pasta sauce, follow these steps:
- Reserve a cup of pasta water when you cook your pasta. Be sure to save the water before you drain the pasta, as the starch will be left behind in the water.
- If your pasta sauce is too thin, slowly add a small amount of the pasta water to the sauce while stirring constantly.
- Allow the sauce to simmer for a few minutes to allow the starch in the pasta water to fully incorporate into the sauce and thicken it.
- Repeat this process until you have achieved the desired thickness for your sauce.
