These Are the 10 Most Popular Pasta Sauces in the US—Here’s How to Make Them at Home

To celebrate National Sauce Month this March, Instacart set out to determine the most popular pasta sauces across the U.S., by city and state, based on the most-ordered sauces on Instacart. They found most Americans lean toward a classic marinara sauce, while others are all in on pesto. As seasoned pasta lovers, we're sharing some of our favorite pasta sauce recipes for the reigning top 10 favorites to inspire you to make your favorite at home.

1. Marinara Sauce

A tried-and-true pantry staple, this sauce enhances dishes well beyond just pasta and allows the sweetness of tomatoes to shine.

Try it at home with one of our recipes:

• Homemade Marinara Sauce
• Three-Ingredient Marinara
• Rao's Marinara Sauce

2. Alfredo Sauce

A decadent and comforting pasta sauce that pairs well with shrimp, chicken, and broccoli for added flavor and protein. We keep this pasta sauce in our weeknight dinner rotation.

Try it at home with our recipe:

• Quick Alfredo Sauce
  

3. Tomato Basil Sauce

A light and fresh pasta dish packed with flavor—no wonder it ranks in the top three.

Try it at home with one of our recipes:

• Spaghetti With Fresh Tomato and Basil Sauce
• Shrimp, Tomato, and Basil Pasta
• Tomato and Basil Pasta

4. Tomato Garlic Sauce

The tomato and garlic pairing is a match made in heaven with its robust savory flavors.

Try it at home with our recipe:

• Simple Tomato Sauce

5. Tomato Sauce

The bread and butter of Italian cuisine, a simple tomato sauce can work wonders in the kitchen.

Try it at home with one of our recipes:

• Chunky Tomato Sauce
• All-Purpose Tomato Sauce
• Gnocchi With Tomato Sauce

6. Pesto

Pesto is a green, basil-based sauce made by blending fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese. The best thing about pesto is its versatility—you can serve it cold or warm.

Try it at home with one of our recipes:

• Chicken Fettuccine With Pesto Cream Sauce
• Basil Pesto
• Classic Pesto

7. Tomato and Cheese Sauce

Simple yet flavorful is what gets the job done when it comes to pasta sauces. A tomato and cheese sauce is destined to land in the top 10.

Try it at home with our recipes:

• Spaghetti With Tomato Saute
• Baked Mac and Cheese with Broiled Tomatoes
  

8. Meat Sauce

A hearty addition to your favorite pasta shape, meat sauce with spaghetti never disappoints. You can choose from many variations, depending on your preferred ground meat.

Try it at home with one of our recipes:

• Basic Meat Sauce for Pasta
• Gnocchi With Quick Meat Sauce
• Sausage Meat Sauce
• Perfect Bolognese Sauce

9. Vodka Sauce

A tomato-based sauce that features cream, Parmesan, fresh basil, and vodka. The vodka helps caramelize the tomatoes and release their flavor. The finished product is a smooth, creamy, light red sauce that pairs well with thick pastas like penne or rigatoni.

Try it at home with our recipe:

• Creamy Tomato Sauce

10. Mushroom Sauce

We love mushrooms, though we know they can be an acquired taste. Mushroom sauce becomes delectable with cream, butter, and plenty of Parmesan cheese. Its earthy flavor creates a sophisticated dish.

Try it at home with our recipe:

• Tagliatelle With Porcini Butter Sauce