127 toppings

What Should I Put on My Pasta

One press deals a sauce, a meat or fish, a cheese and a finish for the pasta in your pan.

All 127

MarinaraWarm it in the pan and toss the pasta in it. Try it with meatballs, or with eggplant and basil.Sauce
Italian sausageTake it out of its casing and crumble it as it browns. Try it with peppers, or with broccoli rabe.Meat or fish
ParmesanGrate it fine over the bowl at the table. Try it on any tomato sauce, or with butter alone.Cheese
Fresh basilTear the leaves over at the very end. Try it with any tomato sauce, or with fresh mozzarella.Finish

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All 127 toppings

Sauces 27

Alfredo sauce Rich and creamy. Try it with grilled chicken, or with broccoli and black pepper.
Avocado sauce Mash a ripe avocado with lime and garlic. Try it with cherry tomatoes, or with shrimp.
Basil pesto Stir it in off the heat with a spoonful of pasta water. Try it with cherry tomatoes or chicken.
Brown butter Cook the butter until it smells of nuts. Try it with sage and butternut squash.
Burst cherry tomatoes Cook them in olive oil until they pop and make their own sauce. Try them with burrata.
Butter and garlic Soften the garlic in the melted butter, then toss. Try it with Parmesan and parsley.
Butter and Parmesan Toss both with a splash of pasta water until glossy. Try it with black pepper.
Butternut squash sauce Roast the squash and blend it smooth. Try it with sage, or with crumbled sausage.
Cheese and black pepper sauce Grated Pecorino and pepper, loosened with pasta water. Try it with a fried egg, or with peas.
Cheese sauce The sauce of macaroni and cheese. Try it with broccoli, or with bacon and breadcrumbs.
Chunky vegetable tomato sauce Tomato with diced zucchini, peppers and onion. Try it with Parmesan, or with ground turkey.
Garlic cream sauce Simmer cream with garlic until it coats a spoon. Try it with mushrooms, or with bacon.
Just butter Butter and a pinch of salt, for a plain bowl. Try it with Parmesan, or with peas.
Lemon butter sauce Butter, lemon juice and a little pasta water. Try it with asparagus, or with salmon.
Marinara Warm it in the pan and toss the pasta in it. Try it with meatballs, or with eggplant and basil.
Mushroom cream sauce Brown the mushrooms first, then add the cream. Try it with thyme, or with steak strips.
Olive and caper tomato sauce Salty and sharp. Try it with canned tuna, or with parsley and breadcrumbs.
Olive oil and garlic Warm sliced garlic in plenty of oil. Try it with red pepper flakes, or with shrimp.
Olive oil and lemon No cooking: good oil, lemon juice and salt. Try it with arugula, or with canned tuna.
Pumpkin sauce Canned pumpkin, cream and a little nutmeg. Try it with sage, or with Italian sausage.
Ricotta and lemon sauce Stir ricotta, lemon zest and pasta water together. Try it with peas, or with spinach.
Roasted red pepper sauce Blend jarred peppers smooth with garlic. Try it with grilled chicken, or with goat cheese.
Spicy tomato sauce Marinara with red pepper flakes cooked in. Try it with shrimp, or with black olives.
Spinach cream sauce Wilt the spinach into the cream. Try it with mushrooms, or with grilled chicken.
Sun-dried tomato pesto Stir it in off the heat. Try it with goat cheese, or with grilled chicken.
Tomato and basil sauce Tomato simmered with fresh basil. Try it with mozzarella, or with Italian sausage.
Tomato cream sauce Marinara with a splash of cream. Try it with Italian sausage, or with peas.

Meat and fish 26

Anchovies Melt two or three into warm olive oil. Try them with garlic, capers and breadcrumbs.
Bacon Cook it crisp and crumble it in. Try it with peas and a cream sauce.
Breaded chicken cutlet Slice it and lay it on top. Try it with marinara and melted mozzarella.
Canned tuna Drain it and flake it in at the end. Try it with olives, capers and lemon.
Chorizo Fry the slices until the oil turns red. Try it with spicy tomato sauce, or with shrimp.
Clams Steam them open in garlic and oil. Try them with parsley and red pepper flakes, and no cheese.
Crab meat Fold it in gently at the end. Try it with lemon, red pepper flakes and parsley.
Diced ham Stir it in to warm through. Try it with peas and cheese sauce.
Grilled chicken Slice it over the top. Try it with Alfredo sauce, or with pesto and cherry tomatoes.
Ground beef Brown it, drain it and simmer it in tomato sauce: that is meat sauce. Try it with Parmesan.
Ground turkey Brown it as you would beef. Try it with marinara and spinach.
Italian sausage Take it out of its casing and crumble it as it browns. Try it with peppers, or with broccoli rabe.
Meatballs Simmer them in the sauce. Try them with marinara and plenty of Parmesan.
Mussels Steam them open in the sauce. Try them with spicy tomato sauce.
Pancetta Dice it and fry it crisp. Try it with egg yolks, Pecorino and black pepper, tossed off the heat.
Pepperoni Cut it into strips, for a baked pasta or a pasta salad. Try it with mozzarella and olives.
Prosciutto Tear it over the hot pasta at the end. Try it with peas, or with arugula and lemon.
Salmon Flake a cooked fillet over the top. Try it with lemon butter sauce and asparagus.
Sardines Canned, broken up into warm oil. Try them with lemon, breadcrumbs and parsley.
Scallops Sear them and set them on top. Try them with lemon butter sauce.
Shredded chicken Leftover roast chicken, pulled apart and stirred in. Try it with pesto or garlic cream sauce.
Shrimp Cook them in the pan until pink. Try them with olive oil and garlic, and a squeeze of lemon.
Smoked salmon Tear it in off the heat. Try it with a cream sauce, dill and lemon.
Smoked sausage Slice it into coins and brown them. Try it with peppers and onions, or with cheese sauce.
Steak strips Sear the steak fast and slice it thin. Try it with mushroom cream sauce, or with Gorgonzola.
Turkey meatballs Simmer them in the sauce. Try them with tomato and basil sauce.

Vegetables and beans 31

Artichoke hearts From a jar, quartered. Try them with lemon, spinach and Parmesan.
Arugula Toss it in at the end so it barely wilts. Try it with lemon, olive oil and Parmesan.
Asparagus Cut it short and boil it with the pasta for the last few minutes. Try it with lemon.
Bell peppers Slice them and soften them with onions. Try them with Italian sausage, or with feta.
Black olives Slice them in. Try them with tomato sauce, or in a cold pasta salad with feta.
Broccoli Boil the florets with the pasta for the last few minutes. Try it with garlic and Parmesan.
Broccoli rabe Boil it briefly, then fry it in garlic oil. Try it with red pepper flakes, or with sausage.
Brussels sprouts Shred them and fry them until the edges brown. Try them with bacon, or with lemon and Pecorino.
Capers Rinse them and scatter them in. Try them with lemon and butter, or with canned tuna.
Caramelized onions Cook them slowly until brown and sweet. Try them with goat cheese, or with bacon.
Cherry tomatoes Halve them and toss them in raw. Try them with basil and fresh mozzarella.
Chickpeas Fry them in olive oil until they crisp a little. Try them with garlic, lemon and parsley.
Fennel Slice it thin and cook it soft. Try it with sausage, or with lemon and breadcrumbs.
Fresh tomatoes Dice them raw with olive oil and salt. Try them with basil and fresh mozzarella.
Green beans Cut them short and boil them with the pasta. Try them with pesto.
Kalamata olives Halve them. Try them with feta, cherry tomatoes and oregano.
Kale Strip the stems and cook the leaves in garlic oil. Try it with white beans, or with sausage.
Leeks Slice them and soften them in butter. Try them with a cream sauce, or with peas.
Lentils Cooked brown lentils, simmered in tomato sauce in place of ground meat. Try them with Parmesan.
Mushrooms Brown them in butter before anything else goes in. Try them with thyme and a cream sauce.
Peas Frozen ones go into the pasta water for the last minute. Try them with butter and Parmesan.
Roasted butternut squash Cube it and roast it. Try it with brown butter and sage.
Roasted cauliflower Roast it until the edges brown. Try it with breadcrumbs, capers and lemon.
Roasted eggplant Cube it and roast it soft. Try it with marinara, basil and ricotta.
Roasted garlic Squeeze the soft cloves out and mash them into the sauce. Try it with olive oil and Parmesan.
Roasted red peppers From a jar, sliced. Try them with goat cheese, or with grilled chicken.
Spinach Stir it into the hot pasta and it wilts in a minute. Try it with garlic and ricotta.
Sun-dried tomatoes Chop them and stir them in. Try them with spinach and a cream sauce.
Sweet corn Cut from the cob, or frozen. Try it with basil and cherry tomatoes, or with bacon.
White beans Warm them in the sauce. Try them with kale, garlic and olive oil.
Zucchini Slice it thin and fry it until golden. Try it with lemon, mint and Parmesan.

Cheeses 17

Asiago Grate it over. Try it with roasted vegetables, or with grilled chicken.
Burrata Set it on top whole and cut it open at the table. Try it with burst cherry tomatoes and basil.
Cottage cheese Blend it smooth for a quick creamy sauce. Try it with marinara, or with spinach.
Cream cheese Stir a spoonful into the hot pasta until it melts. Try it with garlic and spinach.
Feta Crumble it over. Try it with olives, cherry tomatoes and oregano.
Fontina Shred it over the hot pasta. Try it with mushrooms, or in a baked pasta.
Fresh mozzarella Tear it over the hot pasta. Try it with cherry tomatoes and basil.
Goat cheese Crumble it into the hot pasta and stir. Try it with roasted red peppers or caramelized onions.
Gorgonzola Crumble a little in: it is strong. Try it with walnuts and spinach, or with steak.
Mascarpone Stir a spoonful into tomato sauce to make it creamy. Try it with mushrooms, or with peas.
Parmesan Grate it fine over the bowl at the table. Try it on any tomato sauce, or with butter alone.
Pecorino Romano Grate it fine, and taste before you add any salt. Try it with black pepper, or with peas.
Provolone Shred it over and let it melt. Try it with sausage and peppers, or with roasted eggplant.
Ricotta Spoon it on in dollops. Try it with marinara, or with lemon zest and spinach.
Sharp cheddar Shred it into a cheese sauce, or over the top. Try it with broccoli, or with bacon.
Shredded mozzarella Scatter it over and cover the pan until it melts. Try it with marinara, or on a baked pasta.
Smoked mozzarella Dice it in so it softens. Try it with roasted eggplant, or with tomato sauce and bacon.

Finishes 26

Balsamic glaze A thin zigzag over the bowl. Try it with cherry tomatoes and fresh mozzarella.
Black pepper Grind it over, coarse. Try it with butter and Parmesan, or with a cream sauce.
Chili crisp A spoonful on top. Try it with butter and garlic, or with a fried egg.
Crispy garlic Fry thin slices in oil until pale gold. Try it with olive oil, parsley and red pepper flakes.
Crushed pistachios Chop them fine. Try them with lemon and ricotta, or with pesto.
Dried oregano Rub it between your fingers over the pan. Try it with tomato sauce, or with feta and olives.
Drizzle of olive oil The good bottle, uncooked, at the end. Try it over tomato sauce, or over white beans and kale.
Flaky salt A pinch at the table. Try it on buttered pasta, or over fresh tomatoes.
Fresh basil Tear the leaves over at the very end. Try it with any tomato sauce, or with fresh mozzarella.
Fresh chives Snip them over. Try them with a cream sauce, with smoked salmon or with peas.
Fresh dill Chop it over. Try it with salmon, or with lemon and cream.
Fresh mint Tear it over. Try it with peas, with zucchini or with lemon and ricotta.
Fresh parsley Chop it and scatter it over. Try it with garlic and oil, with shrimp or with mushrooms.
Fresh thyme Strip the leaves in. Try it with mushrooms, or with lemon butter sauce.
Fried egg On top, the yolk still soft, to stir in as a sauce. Try it with butter and Parmesan.
Fried sage leaves Fry them in butter until crisp. Try them with brown butter and butternut squash.
Garlic powder A shake over buttered pasta when there is no fresh garlic. Try it with Parmesan.
Italian seasoning A shake of the dried herb mix. Try it on buttered pasta, or in plain tomato sauce.
Lemon zest Grate it over the bowl. Try it with ricotta, with asparagus or with shrimp.
Pat of butter Stir it in at the end and any sauce turns glossy. Try it with marinara.
Red pepper flakes A pinch, at the end or warmed in the oil. Try them with garlic and oil, or with broccoli.
Squeeze of lemon Over the pasta just before you eat. Try it with olive oil and garlic, or with spinach.
Toasted breadcrumbs Fry them in olive oil until golden. Try them where cheese would go, with garlic and lemon.
Toasted pine nuts Toast them in a dry pan until golden. Try them with pesto, or with spinach and lemon.
Toasted walnuts Chop them roughly. Try them with Gorgonzola, or with brown butter and sage.
Truffle oil A few drops, no more. Try it with mushrooms and a cream sauce.

How it works

What should I put on my pasta when the same jar of red sauce has stopped being exciting? Deal from 127: 27 sauces, 26 meats and fish, 31 vegetables and beans, 17 cheeses and 26 finishes.

Read the full guide

When the sauce and the topping fight

Hold on to the sauce and trade the part that fights it. The line under each row says what we would pair it with: clams want garlic, oil and parsley and no cheese, brown butter wants sage and butternut squash, Gorgonzola wants walnuts.

Save a cup of the pasta water

Scoop out a cup of the cooking water before you drain the pot. A splash loosens pesto, turns butter and Parmesan into a glossy sauce and thins a cream sauce that has gone thick. Then toss the pasta with the sauce in the pan, not on the plate.

Questions and answers

What toppings should I put on pasta?

A cheese and a finish at the least: grated Parmesan with fresh basil, or toasted breadcrumbs with lemon zest. For a fuller bowl, put meatballs, shrimp, mushrooms or roasted eggplant under them.

Should I add olive oil to pasta?

After draining, yes. Toss plain pasta in a little oil or butter if it has to wait, and drizzle good oil over the bowl at the end. With garlic and red pepper flakes, olive oil is the whole sauce.

Should I put balsamic vinegar in my pasta sauce?

A small splash near the end can brighten a flat tomato sauce. We would sooner put balsamic glaze on the finished bowl, over cherry tomatoes and fresh mozzarella.

When should I put fresh mushrooms in my spaghetti sauce?

Before the sauce. Brown them in the pan first, so they fry and do not stew, then pour the sauce over them and let it simmer.