The right sauce can turn any meal into something unforgettable. Each recipe brings its own personality—creamy, zesty, smoky, or sweet—to pair with your favorite dishes. Whether drizzled, tossed, or dipped, they instantly lift flavors to new heights. The finishing touch every cook should master.

Marcella Hazan’s Tomato Sauce with Onion and Butter

Marcella Hazan’s Tomato Sauce with Onion and Butter. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

This iconic tomato sauce is beloved for its simplicity and rich, velvety flavor. Slow-simmered tomatoes blend with butter and a halved onion to create a deeply comforting sauce with minimal ingredients. It’s incredibly versatile and works beautifully with pasta or as a base for other dishes. Perfect for nights when you want homemade flavor without extra fuss.
Get the Recipe: Marcella Hazan’s Tomato Sauce with Onion and Butter

Comeback Sauce

A wooden bowl filled with creamy pink Comeback Sauce, a classic Southern condiment known for its bold flavor, is garnished with dill and sits on a wooden table surrounded by chicken wings, shrimp, spices, and condiments.
Comeback Sauce. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

This classic Comeback Sauce is creamy, tangy, and just spicy enough to keep you coming back for more. It’s a Southern staple that transforms fries, burgers, veggies, and fried seafood into something special. The blend of spices gives it depth without overpowering. Once you make it at home, you’ll want a jar in your fridge at all times.
Get the Recipe: Comeback Sauce

Homemade BBQ Sauce

Homemade BBQ Sauce. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

This Homemade BBQ Sauce strikes the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and smoky. It comes together quickly on the stovetop and adds rich flavor to grilled meats, sandwiches, or dipping platters. The ingredients simmer into a thick, glossy sauce that tastes better than anything in a bottle. It’s a must-have for cookouts and easy weeknight meals alike.
Get the Recipe: Homemade BBQ Sauce

Comeback Sauce with a Kick

Comeback Sauce with a Kick. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

This Comeback Sauce puts a zesty twist on the Southern classic with just the right amount of heat. Creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy, it’s the ultimate all-purpose condiment. Drizzle it over fries, burgers, seafood, or salads for an instant flavor upgrade. It’s one of those sauces you’ll find yourself making again and again.
Get the Recipe: Comeback Sauce with a Kick

How to Make Enchilada Sauce

How to Make Enchilada Sauce. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

This homemade enchilada sauce brings bold, authentic flavor with just a handful of pantry ingredients. It simmers into a smooth, vibrant sauce that instantly elevates any Mexican-inspired dish. Whether you’re making enchiladas, tacos, or rice bowls, it adds depth and warmth. Once you try it, you may never go back to store-bought.
Get the Recipe: How to Make Enchilada Sauce

Honey Mustard Sauce Recipe

Honey Mustard Sauce Recipe. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

This Honey Mustard Sauce combines sweetness and tang in a smooth, creamy blend. It’s perfect for dipping, drizzling, or spreading on sandwiches and chicken dishes. With simple ingredients and quick prep, it delivers big flavor with minimal effort. A versatile staple you’ll want to keep on hand.
Get the Recipe: Honey Mustard Sauce Recipe

Fresh Tomato Sauce with Garlic and Basil

Fresh Tomato Sauce with Garlic and Basil. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

This fresh tomato sauce showcases bright summer flavors with the perfect mix of garlic and basil. Light yet flavorful, it highlights the sweetness of ripe tomatoes without being heavy. It pairs beautifully with pasta, vegetables, pizzas, and more. A simple, clean sauce that brings freshness to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Tomato Sauce with Garlic and Basil

Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce in a black skillet.
Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

This Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce captures the creamy, indulgent richness of the restaurant favorite. Butter, cream, and Parmesan come together to create a silky sauce that coats pasta perfectly. It’s simple to make yet feels luxurious in every bite. Ideal for a quick comfort meal or a cozy pasta night.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

Vegan Pesto Sauce

Homemade basil pesto in a glass jar surrounded by fresh basil leaves and a slice of lemon.
Vegan Pesto Sauce. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This Vegan Pesto Sauce keeps all the freshness of traditional basil pesto while offering a dairy-free twist. The basil, garlic, and nuts blend into a vibrant, aromatic sauce that’s delicious on pasta, sandwiches, and roasted vegetables. Simple substitutions make it fully plant-based without losing flavor. It’s bright, versatile, and perfect for easy meals.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Pesto Sauce

Best Tzatziki Sauce

Best Tzatziki Sauce . Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

This homemade tzatziki is cool, creamy, and full of refreshing flavors from cucumber, garlic, and herbs. It pairs beautifully with Mediterranean dishes, appetizers, or grilled meats, and is best served chilled. The recipe is simple but delivers a restaurant-quality taste and texture. It can also be adapted to vegan or dairy-free versions with ease.
Get the Recipe: Best Tzatziki Sauce

A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a white T-shirt and dark jeans, stands in a kitchen with a brick backsplash and stainless steel appliances. She is smiling and resting her hands on the counter.

About the author

Hi, Iโ€™m Lucy! Iโ€™m a home cook, writer, food and wine fanatic, and recipe developer. Iโ€™ve created and tested hundreds of recipes so that I can bring you the best tried and true favorites.

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