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15 Nonna-Approved Recipes That Are So Good, You’ll Never Buy Jarred Sauce Again

There’s something special about homemade recipes, especially when they’re Nonna-approved. Try these 15 recipes that come straight from Nonna’s kitchen; they’re hard to beat. Once you start making your sauces from scratch, you might just stick to these mouth-watering dishes. The joy of sharing these incredible meals will have you tossing that jarred sauce for good.

A white bowl of rigatoni pasta with creamy sauce, garnished with cheese and green herbs, is placed on a wooden surface. A hand is holding a fork with a piece of pasta.
Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Classic Meatballs

A plate of spaghetti topped with two meatballs, marinara sauce, grated cheese, and basil garnish.
Classic Meatballs. Photo credit: Retro Recipe Book.

Everyone loves a plate that feels like a warm hug, and that’s exactly what these Classic Meatballs bring to your table. Handcrafted with care, they offer a rich flavor experience that instantly transports you to Nonna’s cozy kitchen. Whether paired with spaghetti or served solo, these meatballs promise to fill your heart and stomach with joy. They remind us why homemade always wins—rendering jarred options utterly forgettable.
Get the Recipe: Classic Meatballs

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Two Chicken Gnocchi Soup copycat soup recipes on a table.
Chicken Gnocchi Soup. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

A bowl of comfort is what you get with Chicken Gnocchi Soup—smooth, creamy, and soul-soothing all at once. Laden with pillowy bites, this creation feels oh-so-indulgent while still making you feel right at home. It’s a testimony to how simple ingredients can combine to create something far greater. No doubt, this bowlful honestly declares itself superior to any quick-fix alternatives in canned soups out there.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Authentic Bolognese Sauce

Bolognese Sauce on pasta.
Authentic Bolognese Sauce. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

If it’s been a while since you experienced pure pasta magic, Authentic Bolognese Sauce is a game-changer. With a rich, deep flavor that’s somehow smoky and sweet, it’s what every pasta dish dreams of wearing. It whispers ancient family secrets with every spoonful, making you rethink any reliance on supermarket sauces. You’ll find yourself wanting to bottle it up, but that’s no match for enjoying it straight from the pot.
Get the Recipe: Authentic Bolognese Sauce

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Tortellini Soup with Sausage

A bowl of soup with pasta and cheese.
Tortellini Soup with Sausage. Photo Credit: Cook What You Love.

There’s something special about a meal that feels both familiar and exciting at the same time. Tortellini Soup with Sausage brings together tender pasta pockets, a rich, flavorful broth, and hearty sausage for a dish that’s both comforting and robust. Every spoonful is packed with layers of flavor, making it the kind of soup that deserves a permanent spot on the dinner rotation. Forget anything pre-made—this is the way soup was meant to be enjoyed.
Get the Recipe: Tortellini Soup with Sausage

Italian Pot Roast Pasta

A hand lifting a fork with a bite of Italian Pot Roast Pasta on a bowl.
Italian Pot Roast Pasta. Photo credit: Retro Recipe Book.

Some dishes evoke memories that linger long after the last bite, and Italian Pot Roast Pasta is one of them. It offers a harmony of textures—tender beef mingling with twirls of pasta, all singing the praises of home-cooked love. Imagine a weekday meal transforming into an extraordinary event with each forkful. It proves without a doubt that no jar can capture what genuine ingredients and time-honored techniques can create.
Get the Recipe: Italian Pot Roast Pasta

Nonna’s Pastina Soup

A bowl of Nonna’s Pastina Soup topped with shredded cheese and herbs, next to two silver spoons on a marble surface with a floral cloth in the background.
Nonna’s Pastina Soup. Photo credit: Retro Recipe Book.

Feeling under the weather or just seeking some warmth from within? Nonna’s Pastina Soup delivers nostalgia with the simplicity of its star-shaped pasta stirred into rich goodness. It’s the comforting touch you need, wrapped in gentleness and care, making every sip a warm hug from Nonna herself. Once you’ve tried this bowl, you’ll realize how easily it pushes aside any store-bought options.
Get the Recipe: Nonna’s Pastina Soup

Easy Skillet Lasagna

Two cast-iron skillets filled with skillet lasagna, topped with melted cheese.
Easy Skillet Lasagna. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Craving layers of cheesy and saucy goodness without layers of fuss? Easy Skillet Lasagna brings you all the richness you love without the oven. Packed into your favorite skillet, it captures that gooey deliciousness wherever it’s served. Speed and authenticity meet in this dish, planting you firmly in the “who needs jarred sauce?” camp. In under an hour, gather loved ones around for your new family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Easy Skillet Lasagna

Italian Wedding Soup

Two bowls of Italian soup accompanied by yellow flowers and a spoon.
Italian Wedding Soup. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

There’s no need to crash a wedding when you can have the union of flavors in Italian Wedding Soup. This blend of tiny meatballs and greens feels like a joyous celebration in a bowl. Every sip offers the age-old tradition of love and family, cozy enough to erase any thought of store-bought soups. You’ll find yourself attending this flavor fest time and again, with zero regrets.
Get the Recipe: Italian Wedding Soup

Copycat Maggiano’s Little Italy Sausage & Peppers

A plate of Copycat Maggiano’s Little Italy Sausage & Peppers sprinkled with chopped herbs.
Copycat Maggiano’s Little Italy Sausage & Peppers. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Anyone who loves robust sensations will be thrilled with Copycat Maggiano’s Little Italy Sausage & Peppers. The sausage, celebrated by the peppers, joins the best dinner party you can imagine. This is one to bookmark when you’re ready to throw a foodie fiesta at home, transcending any need for the diluted versions from stores. You’ll feel spoiled to have this punchy number delivered straight from your kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Maggiano’s Little Italy Sausage & Peppers

Low-Carb Baked Feta Pasta

A plate of Low-Carb Baked Feta Pasta garnished with fresh herbs.
Low-Carb Baked Feta Pasta. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Decadence doesn’t require endless pasta carbs, and Low-Carb Baked Feta Pasta is here to prove it. Creaminess meets tang in every heavenly bite, as feta takes on new roles that wow the senses. For those seeking an enviable blend of indulgence and restraint, this dish steps up, handily dismissing thoughts of store-packaged grub. Popping it in the oven offers an artisanal feel that leaves friends wondering why you hadn’t shared sooner.
Get the Recipe: Low-Carb Baked Feta Pasta

Gnocchi with Lemon-Parmesan Sauce

Gnocchi in Lemon-Parmesan Sauce on a black plate.
Gnocchi with Lemon-Parmesan Sauce. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Bright and luscious, Gnocchi with Lemon-Parmesan Sauce defines the phrase melt-in-your-mouth. Infused with freshness, lemon step up those tender potato dumplings into an incomparable experience. This well-balanced combination wipes out any memory of bland, packaged servings. After a few bites, your guests will begin to understand the secret allure of fresh, homemade goodness.
Get the Recipe: Gnocchi with Lemon-Parmesan Sauce

Oven Roasted Tomato Soup

A bowl of oven-roasted tomato soup with two spoons.
Oven Roasted Tomato Soup. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Homemade soups become a revelation, and Oven Roasted Tomato Soup is the alchemy that transforms humble tomatoes. Each spoonful reflects Nonna’s perfectionist touch in every deep tomato note. It makes canned tomatoes honest pretenders, intensifying into a rich bowl of warmth. So, skip the premade offerings when this divine liquid warmth beckons with its inviting embrace.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Tomato Soup

Sausage Parmigiana

Two sausages topped with cheese and herbs on tomato sauce, served on a white plate over a red striped napkin, next to a glass of red wine.
Sausage Parmigiana. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Bold flavors take center stage with Sausage Parmigiana, a creation that marries gooey cheese with crispy sausage in a single forkful. It’s the kind of meal where each bite is more enticing than the last and makes you wonder why some folks still settle for frozen flats. This masterpiece stakes its claim with cheese pulls and a melody of contrasts, transforming rush-hour dinners into destination dining.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Parmigiana

Zuppa Toscana Soup

Low Carb Zuppa Toscana Soup in a white round bowl with small handles.
Zuppa Toscana Soup. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Looking for that soup that feels like a mini-vacation? Zuppa Toscana Soup is your flavorful passport to incredible satisfaction. With its creamy warmth, each spoonful whisks you away to Italian dreams while beating any chain-option knock-offs. You’ll feel spoiled, knowing your hands brought this enriching delight to life, filling your home with aromas so real you’ll never want store-bought again.
Get the Recipe: Zuppa Toscana Soup

Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka

A white bowl of rigatoni pasta with creamy sauce, garnished with cheese and green herbs, is placed on a wooden surface. A hand is holding a fork with a piece of pasta.
Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

When you’re longing for an evening escape into the land of pastas, let Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka lead the way. This sumptuous treat pairs rigatoni with a velvety sauce that feels both rich and cozy on the palate. Easily surpassing jarred imitations, it seduces with authenticity while remaining a snapshot of homemade excellence. Join in this pasta party, and marvel at how you ever settled for bland convenience.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka

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