5 easy, no-cook pasta sauces

It can be a challenge to get delicious, nutritious food on the table when you’re busy and juggling life, but Jamie’s here to show you how. To celebrate the launch of his brand new cookbook Simply Jamie, Jamie’s answering your questions to help you get fast and simple food on the table, any day of the week.

I love homemade pasta sauces but I don't have time to make them. Are there shortcut recipes without buying a jar?

Jamie says: I know jars can seem like the easy option, but I can assure you it’s possible to make an easy, delicious pasta sauce in less time than it takes to cook your pasta, without even having to get another pan out the cupboard. No-cook pasta sauces are the way forward! Here are a bunch of easy pasta sauce recipes, using just a few clever store-cupboard ingredients, which you can team with whatever pasta you’ve got to hand. I promise you, this is genius on a plate.

Making pesto is super easy and it freezes brilliantly, too, so make a big batch and freeze it, ready to add straight to your pasta pan. “This is one of those incredible recipes where minimum effort gives you maximum flavour, every time,” says Jamie. Pesto is incredibly versatile, so why not try adding in some peas or swapping the basil and pine nuts for rocket and pistachios? Both are delicious.

This twist on a regular pesto swaps basil and pine nuts for red peppers, thyme and hazelnuts – a more budget-friendly alternative, and packed with sunshine flavours. Ready in just 10 minutes.

SPEEDY SALSA SPAGHETTI

A great one for summer when there’s a glut of juicy tomatoes knocking about. Chop them into a quick salsa with olives, capers, basil and garlic, then toss through your pasta – a fresh, no-cook sauce from Simply Jamie, ready in minutes.

JARRED PEPPER PASTA

Vibrant, bolshy and quick to make, you need this Simply Jamie fiery red pepper sauce in your life! While your pasta cooks, rustle up this scrumptious, creamy sauce, then toss through the hot pasta, drizzle over bright parsley oil, and that’s a delicious dinner sorted.

BEETROOT & RICOTTA PASTA

This fun, vivid no-cook pasta sauce blitzes vac-pack beetroot with fresh basil, zingy lemon and Parmesan. Toss it though pasta and top with ricotta and walnuts. This no-cook sauce from Simply Jamie deserves a place in your pasta repertoire.