Italian Phrase
Pasta con un sugo semplice.
Meaning
Literally, 'Pasta with a simple sauce.' The sentence describes a dish where the pasta is served with an uncomplicated, often lightly seasoned sauce. It emphasizes the simplicity of the preparation rather than a fancy or elaborate topping.
When to use
Use this phrase when you’re talking about what you’re cooking, ordering at a restaurant, or describing a meal to friends. It’s perfect for casual conversation about everyday Italian home cooking.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Pastaconunsugosemplice.
con (with)
The preposition 'con' links two nouns, meaning 'with' in English.
un (indefinite article)
Use 'un' before masculine singular nouns that start with a consonant or vowel.
sugo (sauce)
A masculine singular noun meaning 'sauce', often tomato‑based in Italian cuisine.
semplice (simple)
An adjective that must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies; here it is masculine singular to match 'sugo'.
Adjective position
In Italian, adjectives can follow the noun, especially when describing a quality that is not essential.
🗨In Conversation
Che cosa c'è per cena?
What’s for dinner?
Pasta con un sugo semplice.
Pasta with a simple sauce.
✕Common Mistakes
Pasta con una sugo semplice.
Use 'un' because 'sugo' is masculine; 'una' is the feminine article.
Pasta con un sugo sempre.
'Sempre' means 'always', not 'simple'. The correct adjective is 'semplice'.
Pasta con un salsa semplice.
While 'salsa' is understood, Italians more commonly say 'sugo' for pasta sauces.
↔Alternatives
Pasta al sugo semplice.
Pasta with a simple sauce.
Pasta con una salsa semplice.
Pasta with a simple sauce.
Pasta con sugo leggero.
Pasta with a light sauce.
Cultural Tip
In Italy, the best "simple" sauces are often the ones that let the quality of the pasta shine. Classic examples include pomodoro fresco (fresh tomato), aglio e olio (garlic and oil), or a butter‑and‑sage sauce. When you say 'sugo', Italians usually picture a tomato‑based sauce, but the word can also cover any kind of sauce served with pasta.