Pasta sauces made by leading chefs and provedores.

When you’re pressed for time, it’s okay to reach for a jar when you’re talking sauces as good as these made by leading chefs and provedores.

1 ADAMO’S

If you haven’t heard of Sydney pasta restaurant and shopfront Adamo’s in Rosebery, this could be your wake-up call. This superbuttery, bright and savoury tomato sauce spiked with vodka awaits, and it’s worthy of the visit all on its own. For a meatier fix, the chunky lamb ragù is outstanding, too. $11 for 375ml or $15 for 700ml. adamospasta.com.au

2 CONTINENTAL DELICATESSEN

This versatile sugo has a robust and sweet tomato flavour fragrant with oregano and plenty of juice. Add meatballs, toss it with tagliatelle, and boom – the crowd goes wild. $16 for 1kg. continentaldelicatessen.com.au

3 PASTA EMILIA

Consider this vibrant pesto your secret weapon. A mixture of rocket, basil and parsley makes it fresh and peppery, while the parmesan comes in the form of crumbs. Does strozzapreti al pesto count in your five-a-day? Why not? $16.50 for 120gm. emilia.com.au

4 MEATSMITH

A pasta sauce from Andrew McConnell’s boutique butcher, Meatsmith, is all about the, yep, you guessed it, meat. Coarsely minced and well-browned beef cheek and pork shoulder give the Bolognese great texture, and a slug of milk and white wine keeps it light and juicy. $13.50 for 400gm. meatsmith.com.au

5 SIMON JOHNSON

Rigatoni at the ready. This bright and pulpy pasta sauce with chilli in a clean arrabbiata style is the perfect base for just about anything (marinara! pancetta! spicy sausage!). There’s no added sugar, so the sweetness is all thanks to tomatoes, while dried chilli brings balanced spice and heat. $9.95 for 560gm. simonjohnson.com.au