When visiting an Italian restaurant, many people scan the pasta menu and make a decision based on their favorite sauces and other ingredients. But do you know how these famous sauces got their start? To help answer this question, the Italian cuisine experts from The Pizza Haven, based in Rhinelander, WI, have done a little research. Below, they share the information they found regarding the origins of some of Italy’s delicious sauces.

Italian Restaurant on the Origins of Famous Pasta Sauces

Marinara

Generally speaking, marinara is the simplest red sauce, made with olive oil, tomatoes, garlic, and herbs. Because tomatoes weren’t available until the exploration of the New World, this sauce likely did not originate before the 1600s. Though its exact origin is mostly unknown, many historians speculate that sailors traveling from the New World ate it for sustenance. After all, with ingredients that travel well and an easy assembly, pasta with marinara sauce could be cooked for a simple meal while at sea.

Pesto

Pesto sauce is believed to have originated in Genoa, in the northern region of Italy, around the 16th century. This sauce is made with crushed garlic, basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. Traditionally, it was prepared with a mortar and pestle, which allowed cooks to ground the basil leaf and release their full flavor and aroma. In following years, many people took the traditional recipe and created their own variations, leading to the many different recipes available today.

Alfredo

Alfredo sauce was originally developed by Alfredo de Lelio, who lived in Rome and needed a light food to help ease his pregnant wife’s nausea. Because she couldn’t hold much of her food, de Lelio made plain pasta tossed with butter and Parmesan. His wife ate the dish often, and de Lelio soon added it to his restaurant’s menu. In 1920, two famous American actors visited the restaurant and tried the dish. They loved it so much that they asked for the recipe and brought it home to America. In the United States, the dish became wildly popular, though it never truly took off in Italy.

If this list has made your stomach grumble for authentic Italian cuisine, head to The Pizza Haven right away. With more than 40 years of experience, their delicious meals are always created from scratch with fresh ingredients. Explore the delicious menu of this Italian restaurant, which offers chicken Parmesan, classic pizzas, and delectable salads, on their website. You can also call a staff member at (715) 362-5942 to learn more about events or make a reservation.