When considering what sauce goes well with bucatini pasta, there are a few things to take into account.
Bucatini pasta is a thick, spaghetti-like pasta that’s hollow in the center.
This type of pasta is perfect for heartier sauces because it can stand up to them.
You don’t want a sauce that’s too light because it will be lost in the bucatini.
On the other hand, you also don’t want a sauce that’s too heavy because it will overwhelm the pasta.
The best sauces for bucatini are ones that are creamy, rich, and have some depth of flavor.
Here are 10 of the best sauces for bucatini pasta.

What Sauce Goes with Bucatini Pasta?
The best sauces for bucatini pasta are ones that are light and not too heavy, such as a tomato sauce, carbonara, or aglio e olio. You can also try a simple garlic and olive oil sauce, or a more unique white wine and pancetta sauce.
But why should you even bother with a sauce when the pasta is already so flavorful?
Here are three reasons:
- To Bring Out The Flavor Of The Pasta: A sauce can actually enhance the flavor of bucatini. The pasta itself is quite strong, so a sauce helps to bring out its flavor without overwhelming it.
- To Balance The Richness Of The Pasta: Bucatini is a rich pasta, and as such, it can be quite heavy. A sauce helps to balance out the richness and makes it more palatable.
- To Prevent The Pasta From Drying Out: Bucatini has a tendency to dry out quickly, so a sauce can help to keep it moist and prevent it from becoming too chewy.
With that said, here are 10 sauces that go with bucatini pasta:
1. Alfredo Sauce
When you want something thick and creamy to coat your bucatini pasta, look no further than Alfredo sauce.
This classic Italian sauce is made with butter, heavy cream, garlic, and Parmesan cheese.
It’s rich and indulgent, and a little goes a long way.
You can also customize Alfredo sauce by adding in additional herbs or spices, like black pepper or red pepper flakes.
Or, for a more robust flavor, try using smoked Parmesan cheese.
Pro Tip: If you want to lighten up your Alfredo sauce without sacrificing flavor, try using half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
2. Tomato Sauce
You can’t really go wrong with an Italian-style tomato sauce when serving bucatini pasta.
This classic pairing is a staple for a reason, and it’s hard to improve upon perfection.
That being said, there are a few things you can do to customize your sauce and make it your own.
- For example, you could add some spice with red pepper flakes or swap out the ground beef for Italian sausage.
- You could also add in some vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini.
- And of course, don’t forget the Parmesan cheese!
Pro Tip: If you want a really smooth sauce, you can use an immersion blender to blend the sauce before adding the pasta.
3. Pesto Sauce
Basil pesto is my favorite, but don’t be afraid to experiment with other herbs and greens.
I’ve made pesto out of cilantro, parsley, mint, kale, and even spinach.
I like to add a little bit of lemon juice to my pesto for brightness, and sometimes I’ll add some crushed red pepper flakes if I’m feeling spicy.
You can also swap out the Parmesan cheese for another variety like Pecorino Romano or even vegan cheese.
Pro Tip: If you’re making pesto for a crowd, make it ahead of time and freeze it in ice cube trays.
That way, you can just pop out however many cubes you need when you’re ready to use it!
4. Basic Cheese Sauce
Any true cheese lover will tell you that there’s nothing better than a simple cheese sauce.
I like to serve it with bucatini pasta, but you could really use any type of pasta you like.
The key to a good cheese sauce is using a high-quality cheese and not overcooking it.
I usually use cheddar or Gruyere, but you could really use any type of cheese you like.
Just be sure to shred it yourself – the pre-shredded cheese has preservatives that will make your sauce taste weird.
Pro Tip: If you want to add a little something extra to your sauce, try adding some chopped-up bacon or sautéed mushrooms.
5. Garlic Butter Sauce
If you like garlicky and buttery pasta dishes, then this garlic butter sauce is for you!
I like to serve it with bucatini pasta because the thick noodles can really stand up to the robust sauce.
But feel free to use whatever pasta you have on hand.
This sauce is also great on grilled or roasted vegetables, so get creative and experiment with how you want to enjoy it.
- To make the sauce, start by melting some butter in a pan over medium heat.
- Then add in some garlic and let it cook until fragrant.
- Next, add in some heavy cream and let the mixture simmer until it thickens.
- Finally, season it with salt and pepper to taste.
So simple yet so delicious.
Pro Tip: If you want a little extra flavor, try adding in some grated Parmesan cheese or red pepper flakes when you’re seasoning the sauce at the end.
6. Quick Parmesan Cream Sauce
If you don’t want to spend too long in the kitchen but still want to impress your guests, then this Quick Parmesan Cream Sauce is the perfect solution.
It only takes a few minutes to make and can be easily customized to your liking.
I like to add a bit of garlic and onion for extra flavor, but you can also add in some red pepper flakes or other herbs if you want.
This sauce goes great with bucatini pasta, but you can really use it with any type of pasta or even on its own as a dip.
Pro Tip: If you want a thicker sauce, then add in some grated Parmesan cheese while it’s simmering.
7. Bolognese Sauce
Bolognese sauce adds a filling, hearty element to pasta dishes, and it’s one of my favorites to serve with bucatini.
It’s a rich, meat-based sauce that is typically made with ground beef, pancetta, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, crushed tomatoes, and white wine.
I like to add a bit of heavy cream to mine for an extra velvety texture.
You can also customize this sauce by adding in different herbs or spices to suit your taste.
Pro Tip: If you want a really smooth sauce, use an immersion blender to blend the sauce until it reaches your desired consistency.
8. Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce
My family loves this sauce because it’s so flavorful and versatile.
I usually make it with sun-dried tomatoes, but you could use any type of tomato that you like.
The key is to cook the sauce until the tomatoes are very soft so that they blend into the cream and create a smooth, rich sauce.
You can also add in other vegetables like mushrooms, onions, or garlic to give the sauce more depth of flavor.
And if you want a little bit of a kick, you can always add in some red pepper flakes.
Pro Tip: If you’re using sun-dried tomatoes that are not packed in oil, be sure to soak them in hot water for about 10 minutes before adding them to the sauce.
This will help them rehydrate and soften so that they blend more easily.
9. Marinara Sauce
Why not add some beautiful red color to your bucatini dish with a classic marinara sauce?
This sauce is so easy to make, and you can even customize it to your liking by adding in different herbs or spices.
I like to add a little bit of crushed red pepper flakes to mine for some extra heat.
You could also add in some chopped up vegetables like mushrooms, onions, or bell peppers.
10. 5-Minute Chili Garlic Sauce
If time is really tight, this is a great sauce to have on hand. It’s my go-to for a quick and easy pasta dish.
I like to add a little bit of crushed red pepper flakes to give it some heat, but you can certainly leave that out if you prefer.
I also add a splash of cream at the end to help balance out the acidity from the tomatoes, but that’s optional as well.
This sauce is really versatile and can be used on just about any type of pasta.
Pro Tip: If you want a really smooth sauce, use an immersion blender (or regular blender) to blend it up before adding the cream.

What Sauce Goes with Bucatini Pasta? (10 Tasty Sauces)
Ingredients
- Alfredo Sauce
- Tomato Sauce
- Pesto Sauce
- Basic Cheese Sauce
- Garlic Butter Sauce
- Quick Parmesan Cream Sauce
- Bolognese Sauce
- Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce
- Marinara Sauce
- 5-Minute Chili Garlic Sauce
Instructions
- Pick your favorite sauce from this list to serve with your pasta dish.
- Prepare the rest of your amazing meal.
- Serve in no time!