Step Up Your Homemade Pizzas And Pastas With This Flavorful Sugo Sauce Recipe

Meredith Holser
May 31, 2023
sugo sauce recipe

Get ready for some good old sweet, simmering goodness. The sauce of the summer is here! Sugo – an Italian tomato-based sauce – is extremely versatile and can infuse your best dishes with the delectable flavors and scents of traditional Italian food. It's the *magic* that can turn your 'eh' pizza into a 'wow' one, or your bland pasta bake into a fantastically-flavored dinner you *won't* forget.

There are a handful of variations on the beloved sugo sauce, but The Fast Recipe's 30-minute version is truly unbeatable. If you don't have the time (or more honestly, the will) to pick out ripe, fresh farmer's market tomatoes, this easy recipe skips the leave-your-home effort, and instead uses a blend of passata di Pomodoro and canned tomatoes. Don't worry though – the classic flavors stay in tact. Once your half hour is up, serve your sugo with pasta and salad, garlic knots, grilled polenta, or with crisp fried gnocchi. Let's get to cookin'!

What is sugo?

Sugo is an Italian red sauce made with simple ingredients that form a complex flavor to be used on a plethora of dishes.

What is sugo made of?

Traditionally, sugo is made with fresh tomatoes, onion, olive oil, fresh basil, salt, pepper, and sugar.

How do you use sugo?

"Sugo" literally translates to "sauce" in Italian, and this sauce can be used in *so* many different ways. You can use sugo as a pasta sauce for bolognese, lasagna, ziti, spaghetti, and more of your favorite pasta dishes. It also makes a great addition to meatball subs, pizzas, and bruschettas.

Ingredients for Sugo Sauce

Image via The Fast Recipe

  • 1 bottle passata di Pomodoro*
  • 1 can tomatoes, chopped*
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil + extra for drizzling
  • 1 teaspoon sugar, more if necessary
  • 2 sprigs fresh basil, divided
  • ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt or Kosher salt, more to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

*Substitute fresh ripe, sweet, best-quality tomatoes. If using fresh tomatoes, it’s preferable to use garden tomatoes or ones from the farmer’s market. Make sure they are perfectly ripe, firm but not stony, deeply red, juicy, and not watery.

How to Make Sugo Sauce

  1. If the tomatoes are fresh, peel and chop them finely. If the canned tomatoes are whole, chop them finely. Set them aside.
  2. Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Cook 1 small finely chopped onion with a pinch of salt on medium-low heat for about 6 minutes until soft. It should get golden and not brown; if it colors too quickly, reduce the heat to very low. Stir often.
  3. Add passata, chopped tomatoes, ½ teaspoon fine sea salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, and one sprig of fresh basil (left whole).
  4. Cover the pot, leaving a small crack open. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook slowly for 30 minutes until it is slightly thicker, occasionally stirring.
  5. Adjust the taste with more salt, pepper, and a little more sugar if necessary. Remove the cooked basil sprig. Stir in the chopped basil leaves and add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

Optional: Blend the sugo until you reach the desired consistency – you can make it completely smooth.

Recipe and photography by Adina at The Fast Recipe.

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You Need To Experience This Chocolatey Zucchini Bread Recipe

The thought of healthy dessert may leave you feeling a *tad* skeptical, but this zucchini bread recipe promises more than just a health-forward treat. It's spotted with chunks of chopped walnuts and chocolate chips, forming a bite that beats banana bread every time, but still gently delivers on nutrition. The zucchini flavor is untraceable in each slice of this bread loaf, leaving you with sweet, sweet sweetness – which is likely exactly what you're craving!

This Spelt Zucchini Bread recipe with warm spices, walnuts, and chocolate, made by The First Mess, will have your taste buds dancing with sheer joy. Get ready to savor each and every delectable bite as we guide you through this simple and mouthwatering recipe.

Ingredients for Spelt Zucchini Bread with Warm Spices, Walnuts & Chocolate

The First Mess

  • 1 ¼ cups shredded zucchini
  • 1 ½ cups light spelt flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¾ cup coconut palm sugar
  • ¾ cup unsweetened apple sauce
  • ⅓ cup neutral-tasting oil
  • 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ cup walnut halves, chopped
  • ½ cup dairy-free chocolate chunks or chips

How to Make This Zucchini Bread Recipe

The First Mess

  1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 8×4 loaf pan and then line it with parchment paper. Lightly grease the parchment as well and set aside.
  2. Gather the shredded zucchini in a clean kitchen towel. Over the sink, gather up the edges of the towel and squeeze out as much moisture from the zucchini as you can. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the spelt flour, baking powder, baking soda, sea salt, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg.
  4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the coconut palm sugar, apple sauce, oil, and vanilla extract. Add this wet mixture to the larger bowl with the flour mixture. Using a rubber spatula, mix until just combined with a few little streaks of flour.
  5. Add the shredded and wrung out zucchini to the batter along with the walnuts and chocolate chunks. Fold these items in until they are evenly distributed.
  6. Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan and flatten the top of the loaf. Bang the filled loaf tin on the counter a few times to fully settle the batter.
  7. Bake the vegan spelt zucchini bread for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick / paring knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove the zucchini bread from the oven and let it cool in the loaf pan on a wire rack.
  8. Let the zucchini bread cool completely before removing from the pan and slicing.

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Recipe + photography by The First Mess.

This post has been updated.

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"XO, Kitty" Season 2 Welcomes You Back Into The Covey Family

To All The Boys will always be a comfort movie, and when Netflix announced we were getting a spinoff about our favorite little sister Kitty Song Covey (who's now a teenage matchmaker), I was over the moon! Well, fans of XO, Kitty are in for a treat because season 2 drops on January 16 — and it's one of our most-anticipated January TV shows. Not only are we reuniting with one of our favorite Coveys, but another cast member from the movie cast is making an appearance too!

Here's everything we know about XO, Kitty season 2.

Who's joining the cast this season?

Netflix

XO, Kitty season 2 stars Anna Cathcart, Audrey Huynh, Sasha Bhasin, Joshua Lee, Minyeong Choi, Gia Kim, Sang Heon Lee, Anthony Keyvan, Peter Thurnwald, and Regan Aliyah.

And the best news of all is that Noah Centineo is returning as Peter Kavinsky!! This was not on my 2025 bingo card and I'm THRILLED.

What is XO Kitty season 2 about?

Netflix

Kitty's back for her second semester at KISS, and she's hoping to scale things way back. What can we say? She's in her casual dating era! That is, until a letter from her mom's past sends her on a whole new journey. "There are so many new people now,” Anna Cathcart told Tudum. “To see her world expand is a huge, huge difference and will be a really fun thing to follow.”

It sounds like XO Kitty season 2 will be a continuation of that coming of age!

Where can I watch XO, Kitty season 2?

Netflix

XO, Kitty season 2 hits Netflix January 16, 2025.

What are you excited to see in XO, Kitty season 2? Let us know in the comments and follow us on Facebook for even more pop culture news! Don't forget to check out this year's January Movies too.

This post has been updated.

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You’ll Wanna Put This Creamy Pimento Cheese Recipe On Everything

Growing up in the South, my fridge was always stocked with pimento cheese. The snacky spread (or dip, depending on how you look at it), made up of sharp cheddar cheese, creamy mayo, and tangy pimento peppers, provided cheesy comfort every time whether I put it on wraps or dipped some crackers into a big bowl of it. And though you could buy pimento cheese at the store, making a homemade pimento cheese recipe is so much more worth it – and a lot easier than you’d expect.

This pimento cheese recipe exudes nostalgia and delicious flavor in every bite. Scroll on to unlock the secrets to crafting this iconic Southern staple, perfect for any occasion from laid-backpicnics to summertime potlucks.

Ingredients

Photo by Ivan Torres / PEXELS

  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated (see notes)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup diced pimentos (see notes)
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

Image via StableDiffusion

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine the sharp cheddar cheese, cream cheese, pimentos, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper (if using).
  2. Mix everything together with a spatula or hand mixer until well combined. Make sure the mixture is smooth and all of the ingredients are evenly distributed.
  3. Taste the mixture and season it with salt and pepper, according to your preference. The sharpness of the cheddar cheese can vary, so adjust the seasoning accordingly.
  4. Once the mixture is seasoned to your liking, transfer it to a serving bowl or container with a lid.
  5. Cover the pimento cheese and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour before serving. Chilling helps the flavors meld together and enhances the texture!
  6. Serve this pimento cheese recipe with your fave crackers, a sliced baguette, celery sticks, or as a tasty spread for sandwiches, wraps, or burgers!

Notes: Homemade Pimento Cheese Recipe

Image via StableDiffusion

  • For the sharp cheddar cheese, we recommend using a fresh block of cheese and grating it yourself for the freshest flavor. If you’re short on time, store-bought shredded cheese is okay, too.
  • For the pimentos, we recommend using fresh pimento peppers and dicing them yourself. Canned pimentos will work just as well, but the fresh peppers bring the freshest flavors!
  • You can store this pimento cheese recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week – though it probably won’t last that long!

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Lead image generated using StableDiffusion.

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Target Has The Cutest 2025 Valentine’s Day Decor – All Under $10!

Love is in the air – and, as it turns out, on the shelves at Target! We can always count on Target to have the cutest home decor pieces for every holiday, and right now, their Valentine’s Day decor is making us swoon. Target has everything you need to create a festive and cozy vibe (and for way less $!), whether you’re planning a romantic dinner, a Galentine’s Day party, or happily spending the season solo.

Get ready to fall head over heels for these 13 Target Valentine’s Day decor pieces that’ll help you celebrate the season, all for $10 or less.

Target

Cherry Duo Valentine's Day Figurine

This $5 figurine gives us so much joy. It'd be perfect on your desk, bedside table, or car dash to keep the love flowin' this V-Day.

Target

Metallic Hearts Wall Garland

Got a Valentine's party planned? This $10 wall garland is just the thing your space needs to feel a bit more festive.

Target

Valentine's Day Disco Ball

Everyone needs a dash of disco in their life, and this $10 heart-shaped piece makes that possible. We'd keep this one up year-round!

Target

Valentine's Day XO Love Pillow

It's not V-Day without a bunch of X's and O's! Decorate your space appropriately with this cutesy $5 pillow.

Target

Coffee & Croissant Valentine's Day Figurine

This $5 decor piece would also make a great gift to give your partner, BFF, or just the person that completes you.

Target

Light-Up Valentine's Day Hearts

These heart-shaped lights mimic conversation heart candies in the cutest (and cheekiest!) way with various sayings.

Target

3-Wick Sugared Watermelon Candle

This candle makes the season even sweeter with a delicious sugared watermelon scent.

Target

Featherly Friends 'Toots' Valentine's Day Decorative Object

Target's collection of cute spirited birds is everything. This lil' birdie comes complete with a love letter – ooh!

Target

Red Lips Pillow

Need a smooch? This $10 pillow is just what your couch is craving!

Target

Glass Heart Valentine's Candle Holders

Set the mood at the table with this adorable trio of candle stick holders in the perfect V-Day hues!

Target

Cherub Valentine's Day Figurine

This glasses-wearing cherub would look so cute on your desk during the Valentine's season.

Target

Pink & Red Taper Candle Set

These playful candle sticks come in squiggly shapes and are adorably dotted in tiny white hearts for the holiday.

Target

XO Square Valentine's Day Pillow

Perfect for the sofa or your bed, this plush pillow will last your V-Day decor game for years to come!

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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Where To Stream The Biggest Movies Of The Year Before The 2025 Oscars

In the midst of award show season, everything points to Oscar Sunday. The show, which celebrates achievement in film, is my most-important night of the year and my friends and I go all out. Themed snacks, ballots, and very loud celebrations when our favorite stars and movies win. But before the big day comes, we need to watch all the movies up for awards!

Here's where you can stream all the biggest movies of the year before the Oscars airs on March 2, 2025.

Dune: Part Two — Stream On Max

Niko Tavernise/Warner Bros. Pictures

This sequel opens after Paul has joined the Fremen, and after he escaped the murderous Harkonnen family. Now he's out to avenge his father — and come to terms with his destiny as a savior.

Dune: Part Two is on Max and stars Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Dave Bautista, Stellan Skarsgård, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, Charlotte Rampling, Florence Pugh, Austin Butler, Lea Seydoux, and Christopher Walken.

Twisters — Stream on Peacock

Universal Pictures

Twisters follows former storm chaser Kate. When she's roped back into chasing by her friend Javi, Kate meets social media star Tyler, and comes face-to-face with the biggest storms ever.

Twisters is on Peacock and stars Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, Brandon Perea, Anthony Ramos, Maura Tierney, Sasha Lane, Harry Hadden-Paton, David Corenswet, Daryl McCormack, Tunde Adebimpe, Katy O’Brian, Nik Dodani, Kiernan Shipka, and Paul Scheer.

Emilia Pérez — Stream On Netflix

Netflix

In this musical thriller, Cartel leader Emilia enlists the help of Rita, a lawyer, to help her retire from a life of crime and live out her truth.

Emilia Pérez is on Netflix and stars Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, Adriana Paz, and Edgar Ramírez.

Wicked — Rent On Amazon Prime

Universal Pictures

But this year's biggest musical is definitely Wicked. This alternative origin story for the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good follows the college roommates as they come of age in Oz, and learn the Wizard isn't all as he seems. I can't for Part 2 this year!

Wicked stars Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, and Marissa Bode.

The Substance — Stream On MUBI

MUBI

Elisabeth Sparkle gets fired from her own fitness TV show after she turns 50. But she seems to find a solution when she acquires The Substance...and creates a younger version of herself. The absolutely crazy thriller was one of the buzziest movies of the year — and won Demi Moore her first Golden Globe!

The Substance is on MUBI and stars Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid.

Challengers — Stream On Prime Video

Amazon MGM Studios

In Challengers, former tennis star Tashi coaches her husband Art, but her job gets way more complicated when he ends up in a match against his former best friend (and her ex) Patrick.

Challengers is on Prime Video and MGM+ and stars Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O'Connor.

Inside Out 2 — Stream On Disney+

Walt Disney Studios

Riley's becoming a teenager in Inside Out 2, which means Joy, Sadness, Anger, Envy, Fear, and Disgust have to make way for new emotions like Anxiety and Envy. What could go wrong?

Inside Out 2 is on Disney+ and stars Liza Lapira, Tony Hale, Ayo Edebiri, Maya Hawke, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Paul Walter Hauser, Amy Poehler, Lewis Black, Phyllis Smith, Kensington Tallman, Lilimar, Diane Lane, and Kyle MacLachlan.

Deadpool & Wolverine — Stream On Disney+

Marvel Studios

Deadpool teams up with the one and only Wolverine (well, after meeting dozens throughout the multiverse) after learning the TVA plans on destroying his timeline and his loved ones.

Deadpool & Wolverine is on Disney+ and stars Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Stefan Kapičić, Brianna Hildebrand, Shioli Kutsuna, Owen Wilson, Matthew Macfadyen, Emma Corrin, Jennifer Garner, Chris Evans, Wesley Snipes, Channing Tatum, Blake Lively, and Dafne Keen.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice  — Stream On Max

Warner Bros.

Lydia Deetz and her daughter Astrid return to Winter River after a family tragedy, and wind up enlisting Beetlejuice's help (if you can even call it that) after Astrid opens a portal to the afterlife.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is on Max and stars Jenna Ortega, Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Willem Dafoe, and Justin Theroux.

Gladiator 2 — Rent On Amazon Prime

Aidan Monaghan/Paramount Pictures

After the death of his wife, Lucius becomes a gladiator with a mission: take revenge on the general responsible for her death.

Gladiator 2 is on Amazon Prime and stars Paul Mescal, Connie Nielsen, Fred Hechinger, Joseph Quinn, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel Washington.

Anora — Rent On Amazon Prime

Neon

When sex worker Anora and politician's son Vanya tie the knot so Vanya can get a green card and escape his father, their lives totally flip upside down — and not just because Vanya's family sets out to end the marriage.

Anora is on Amazon Prime and stars Mikey Madison, Mark Eydelshteyn, Yura Borisov, Karren Karagulian, Vache Tovmasyan, and Aleksei Serebryakov.

Conclave — Stream On Peacock

Focus Features

This movie takes place during a conclave to choose the next pope, and is totally unprepared for the scandals he uncovers along the way.

Conclave is on Peacock and stars Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Sergio Castellitto, and Isabella Rossellini.

A Real Pain — Rent On Amazon Prime

Searchlight Pictures

Two Jewish American cousins who reconnect and embark on a Holocaust tour in Poland after the death of their grandmother. This was one of my favorite movies of the year and I couldn't recommend it more!

A Real Pain is on Amazon Prime and stars Jesse Eisenberg, Kieran Culkin, Will Sharpe, Jennifer Grey, Kurt Egyiawan, Liza Sadovy, and Daniel Oreskes.

The Wild Robot — Rent On Amazon Prime

Universal Pictures

Robot Roz crashes on a deserted island and quickly adopts an orphaned gosling, teaching him to fly and prepping him for the annual migration. Prepare to cry, like, a lot!!

The Wild Robot is on Amazon Prime and stars Lupita Nyong'o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Catherine O'Hara, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, and Mark Hamill.

Alien: Romulus — Stream On Hulu

20th Century Studios

A group of young space colonizers are tasked with exploring an abandoned space station and must confront the most terrifying life form in the universe.

Alien: Romulus is on Hulu and stars Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, and Aileen Wu.

Stay tuned for the official 2025 Oscar nominations and check out 25 New TV Shows You NEED To Watch In 2025!

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