There's a time and a place for sauce. With these dishes, the time is always and the place is your plate. Get inspired with these easy, saucy recipes.
Photo: Erik Putz
Perfect for tucking in a lunchbox, these savoury beef skewers are begging to be dunked in our not-too-spicy Thai sauce. It’s made from soy nut butter, red curry paste and coconut milk. Yum. Get the recipe: Beef Satay with Thai Dipping Sauce
Who can resist a miniature meatball? Doused in a tomato sauce and sandwiched between a squishy roll, this recipe receives our nomination for best meal in the dinner and lunch categories. Get the recipe: Mini Meatball Subs
Oh, hey, this is just some creamy, restaurant-style pasta that’s lower in fat than your fave Italian joint’s signature dish. Spears of asparagus go down easy when dripping in a rich sauce. Get the recipe: Creamy Salmon Fettuccine
We took the classic Eastern European dish and swapped beef for lean ground turkey. We added bulgur, a whole grain, to up the fibre, too. Get the recipe: Turkey Bulgur Cabbage Rolls
We love the idea of a full meal coming together on a tray. Simple prep, delicious results. If you’re new to the tofu game, here’s a great gateway. Throw some chili-garlic sauce on the finished product since this is a sauce roundup, people! Get the recipe: Sheet Pan Sesame Tofu and Veggies
A not-too-thick but not-too-soupy, smoky tomato sauce is topped with yolky eggs, artichoke hearts and feta cheese. No spoons required, use warm naan to mop it all up. Get the recipe: Shakshuka
Your slow-cooker knows what’s up, and it’s these saucy ribs. With a sweet, DIY barbcue sauce made from brown sugar, honey, garlic, ginger and mustard, you know we’re not messing around. For a crispy finish, arrange cooked ribs meat-side up on a baking sheet and broil for three to four minutes. Get the recipe: Sticky-Sweet Ribs
You might be close friends with sweet crepes, but maybe it's time you give savoury a try. That’s green onion and parsley hanging out in the milky batter. The sauce on the chicken and asparagus? That’s just a creamy brown butter that you’re about to be obsessed with. Get the recipe: Herbed Crepes with Chicken, Asparagus and Mushrooms
Would this even be a sauce recipe roundup without pulled pork? Basically a vehicle for eating barbecue sauce, this slow-cooker classic uses a surprising ingredient. But we’re not going to tell you, so click to check it out. Get the recipe: Pulled Pork with Ginger-Bourbon Sauce
Here’s tofu again, showing that he’s the master of sauce. This version uses soft tofu, which is creamy, mild in flavour and custard-like. Topped with a sweet-chili sauce, it’s a quick and easy dinner. Get the recipe: Sesame and Sweet Chili Tofu
Here’s the deal: fresh, store-bought ravioli is layered in the slow-cooker like a lasagna. It’s a fun variation to try. Get the recipe: Ravioli Lasagna
Chicken thighs are more tender and flavourful than chicken breasts—cheaper, too! They’re perfect in a saucy dish like this. Also, look at you making a rich Indian sauce all by yourself. Get the recipe: Easy Butter Chicken
Read more:
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11 basic chicken recipes
12 simple pasta recipes
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Amy is a freelance writer and editor based in Toronto, Ontario. Her work can also be found in publications like Chatelaine, Toronto Life and The Globe and Mail.