7 Weeknight Sauces I Whip Up from Pantry Ingredients

Experience the wonder of crafting flavorful and effortless sauces using just the ingredients you have on hand in your pantry. The seven recipes provided here are the ideal choice for midweek meals when you’re strapped for time but still crave something delectable and gratifying.

Versatile Tomato Sauce

Having a good understanding of the basics of a tomato sauce can provide the foundation for a multitude of meals. Traditional tomato sauce typically consists of tomatoes, garlic, onions, and herbs such as basil and oregano. But, with a little creativity, you can use pantry staples to add an exciting twist to your tomato sauce. For a hint of sweetness, try adding a spoonful of sugar or a splash of balsamic vinegar. For a smoky flavor, consider adding smoked paprika or a dash of liquid smoke. And for a spicy kick, you could throw in some chili flakes or hot sauce.

Tomato sauce is an incredibly versatile ingredient, pairing well with pasta, meat, fish, and vegetables. It’s the base of many Italian dishes like spaghetti bolognese and lasagna, but it can also be used in a variety of other cuisines. For example, you could use it as a base for a hearty chili, a filling for stuffed peppers, or even as a pizza sauce.

Creamy Peanut Sauce

When it comes to making a peanut sauce, the balance of flavors is crucial. The creaminess of the peanut butter, the tanginess of the lime juice, the savory notes of soy sauce, and the heat from the chili all need to harmonize. And while it might seem like an exotic addition to your weeknight meals, you’d be surprised at how many dishes can be elevated with a dollop of peanut sauce. It works wonders in stir-fries, is delicious drizzled over grilled chicken or tofu, and can even be used as a dip for spring rolls.

If you’re catering to dietary restrictions, there are several modifications you can make. For a gluten-free version, substitute the soy sauce with tamari. If you’re cooking for someone with a nut allergy, you can replace the peanut butter with seed butter, like sunflower or pumpkin seed butter. And for a vegan version, simply ensure that all your ingredients are plant-based.

Spicy Salsa Verde

Salsa Verde, or “green sauce”, is a vibrant and tangy sauce made from tomatillos, jalapenos, cilantro, and lime. If you’re unfamiliar with tomatillos, they’re small green fruits that come in a husk and have a tart flavor. Although fresh tomatillos can be hard to come by, canned tomatillos are a pantry staple that can be used to whip up a flavorful Salsa Verde in no time.

Once you have your Salsa Verde, there are endless ways to incorporate it into your meals. It’s traditionally served with Mexican dishes like enchiladas and tacos, but it also pairs well with grilled meats and fish. For a vegetarian option, try drizzling it over roasted vegetables or using it as a salad dressing.

Simple Soy-Ginger Sauce

Soy-Ginger sauce is a staple in many Asian cuisines, and making it at home is easier than you might think. The key ingredients are soy sauce, fresh ginger, garlic, and sugar, but you can also add other ingredients like sesame oil, chili, or rice vinegar to suit your taste. If you like your sauce spicy, add more chili; if you prefer it sweeter, add more sugar.

Soy-Ginger sauce pairs beautifully with a wide range of dishes. It’s a great marinade for meats like chicken, beef, or pork, and it also works well with fish and tofu. You can also use it as a stir-fry sauce, a dipping sauce for dumplings, or even as a dressing for a noodle salad.

Classic Béchamel Sauce

The classic Béchamel sauce, also known as white sauce, is a staple in French cuisine. It’s made from a roux of butter and flour, to which milk is gradually added while stirring constantly. The key to a lump-free, creamy Béchamel is patience: add the milk slowly and keep stirring to prevent lumps from forming.

Béchamel sauce is incredibly versatile and can be used to elevate a number of dishes. It’s the base of the creamy, cheesy sauce in lasagna and macaroni and cheese, but it can also be used in gratins, soufflés, and croque monsieur. For a vegetarian option, try using it in a vegetable lasagna or a cauliflower cheese bake.

Quick BBQ Sauce

A good BBQ sauce is a balance of sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors. While there are many store-bought options available, nothing beats a homemade BBQ sauce, and you can make one using only pantry ingredients. The base of most BBQ sauces is ketchup, but you can add complexity with ingredients like brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika.

BBQ sauce isn’t just for grilling – it can be used in a variety of creative ways in your weeknight meals. Try it as a marinade for chicken or pork, as a sauce for pulled pork or beef sandwiches, or even as a dip for fries or chicken wings. For a vegetarian option, it’s delicious slathered on grilled vegetables or used as a base for a BBQ pizza.

Zesty Lemon Tahini Sauce

Tahini, a paste made from sesame seeds, is a powerhouse of nutrition, offering healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. When combined with lemon juice, garlic, and a little water, it transforms into a smooth and tangy sauce that’s incredibly versatile. The key to a perfect Lemon Tahini sauce is to add the water slowly, stirring constantly until you reach the desired consistency.

Lemon Tahini sauce can be used in countless ways in your meals. It’s traditionally used in Middle Eastern dishes like falafel and hummus, but it can also be used as a salad dressing, a sauce for grilled vegetables or chicken, or as a spread for sandwiches or wraps. For a vegan option, try it as a dressing for a grain salad or a drizzle for roasted vegetables.