Pasta Sauces from Scratch

This course is perfect for home cooks, food enthusiasts, or anyone looking to master the art of crafting delicious, restaurant-quality pasta sauces. With a focus on fresh ingredients, classic techniques, and creative twists, students will learn how to prepare a range of sauces that elevate any pasta dish. Each class combines theory with practical cooking sessions, encouraging experimentation and personal flair.

Spinach pesto and roasted mushroom spaghetti is a delightful combination of earthy and fresh flavors. The rich, vibrant green pesto, made with fresh spinach, garlic, nuts, and Parmesan, coats each strand of perfectly cooked spaghetti, offering a burst of herbaceous creaminess. Roasted mushrooms, caramelised to perfection, add a deep, umami richness with a tender texture, creating a beautiful contrast with the smooth, fragrant pesto.

The pasta-to-sauce pairing is essential for bringing out the best of both the pasta and the sauce. Thicker sauces usually pair with more substantial shapes like rigatoni or fettuccine, while delicate sauces are best with finer shapes like capellini (angel hair). This balance creates the ideal experience, bringing out flavours, textures, and ingredients in each bite.

In short, pasta shapes not only add visual variety but are also a functional way to enhance different recipes, making pasta one of the most adaptable and beloved foods worldwide.

A smoked black pepper mackerel linguine is a rich, flavourful pasta dish that combines the smoky, robust flavours of peppered mackerel with the delicate textures of linguine.

This carbonara with asparagus is a classic, yet delicately refined take on the beloved Italian dish. Silky strands of pasta are luxuriously coated in a glossy, rich sauce made simply from fresh eggs and finely grated Parmesan, creating a creamy texture without the need for added cream. Crisp-tender asparagus spears add a vibrant, slightly sweet crunch that pairs beautiful. Each bite is lifted by the peppery warmth of freshly cracked black pepper, bringing depth and balance. It's an indulgent, yet light and satisfying pasta that celebrates simplicity and seasonal ingredients in every mouthful.

Creamy broccoli fusilli is a cosy, vibrant pasta dish that brings together indulgent richness with fresh, green flavours. Twisted fusilli is perfectly coated in a smooth, velvety cream sauce, gently infused with the subtle sweetness of sautéed garlic and the earthy depth of tender broccoli. Some of the broccoli is blended into the sauce, giving it a lovely green hue, while other florets remain whole for added texture. A sprinkle of grated Parmesan adds a savoury, nutty finish, melting beautifully into the sauce. A hint of lemon zest and a crack of black pepper lift the dish, making it both comforting and refreshing – perfect for a warming, yet light, meal.

Roasted pumpkin and pan-fried tomato linguine is a beautifully balanced, autumn-inspired pasta dish that’s full of warm, vibrant flavours. The linguine is lightly coated in a sauce created from sweet, caramelised pumpkin that’s been roasted until golden and tender, adding a rich, earthy sweetness. Juicy cherry tomatoes are pan-fried until they blister and release their natural juices, bringing a bright, tangy contrast to the creamy pumpkin. Fresh garlic and a hint of chilli add warmth, while a sprinkle of fresh sage or basil lifts the dish with its herbal aroma. Finished with a drizzle of olive oil and a scattering of Parmesan, this linguine is hearty yet fresh, ideal for cosy evenings.

Zesty prawn spaghetti is a fresh, vibrant dish bursting with bright flavours and tender seafood. Al dente spaghetti is tossed in a light, lemony sauce that’s infused with garlic, olive oil, and a hint of chilli for subtle warmth. Succulent prawns are quickly sautéed until just cooked, adding a sweet, delicate richness that pairs beautifully with the citrusy sauce. Fresh lemon zest and juice give the pasta a refreshing tang, balancing the prawns’ natural sweetness, while a handful of parsley brings an aromatic, herbaceous finish. It’s a lively, satisfying pasta that feels both light and indulgent—a perfect choice for a flavour-packed meal.

Smoked salmon and green pea penne is a light yet luxurious pasta dish, perfect for any occasion. The tender penne is coated in a silky sauce that’s infused with the rich, smoky flavour of salmon, which brings a subtle saltiness and depth to each bite. Sweet, vibrant green peas add a pop of freshness, balancing the savoury richness of the salmon while giving the dish a delightful texture. A touch of lemon zest brightens the flavours, and freshly cracked black pepper adds gentle warmth. Finished with a sprinkle of dill or chives, this pasta is both comforting and refined, a beautifully balanced meal that feels fresh and indulgent at once.