Name: Hidden Veg Pasta Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 onions, finely chopped; 1 tsp minced garlic; 2 tsp dried Italian herbs; 3 celery stalks, trimmed and finely chopped; 2 medium leeks, trimmed and finely chopped; 2 medium carrots, peeled and finely chopped; 2 medium red bell peppers (capsicum), finely chopped; 1 medium zucchini (courgette), finely chopped; 2 28oz cans (4 x 400g cans) crushed tomatoes; 1 tbsp tomato paste (tomato puree); 2 cups (500ml) stock or broth (chicken or vegetable)

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Introduction

This Hidden Veg Pasta Sauce is a flavorful and nutritious way to boost your meals with a variety of finely chopped vegetables blended into a smooth, rich tomato base. It’s perfect for sneaking extra veggies into family dinners without compromising on taste.

A close-up top view of a smooth, thick, bright orange soup filling a white enamel pot with an orange handle. The soup has a slight swirl texture on its surface, giving it a creamy and velvety look. The pot sits on a white marbled texture background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
2 onions, finely chopped
1 tsp minced garlic
2 tsp dried Italian herbs
3 celery stalks, trimmed and finely chopped
2 medium leeks, trimmed and finely chopped
2 medium carrots, peeled and finely chopped
2 medium red bell peppers (capsicum), finely chopped
1 medium zucchini (courgette), finely chopped
2 cans (28 oz each) crushed tomatoes (4 x 400g cans)
1 tbsp tomato paste (tomato puree)
2 cups (500ml) stock or broth (chicken or vegetable)

Instructions

Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onions, minced garlic, and dried Italian herbs. Stir for a couple of minutes until fragrant.
Step 2: Add the chopped celery, leeks, carrots, red bell peppers, and zucchini. Cover the pan and cook over medium-low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring regularly to soften the vegetables without burning them.
Step 3: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and stock or broth. Stir everything together, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let the sauce simmer gently for 20 minutes.
Step 4: Allow the sauce to cool slightly, then blend it until smooth using a blender or food processor. Taste and season as needed, but avoid seasoning if preparing for a baby.
Step 5: Let the sauce cool completely before transferring it to containers or zip-lock bags for storage.

Tips & Variations

Use vegetable stock to keep the sauce vegetarian or chicken stock for a richer flavor.
Add a pinch of chili flakes if you like a little heat in your sauce.
For a thicker sauce, simmer it uncovered for an extra 10 minutes before blending.
Freeze the sauce in portion-sized containers for quick meal prep.

Storage

Store the cooled sauce in airtight containers or zip-lock bags in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the sauce for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, stirring occasionally.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a single-layer smooth, thick, bright orange soup with a creamy texture filling a round white pot with orange handles, the surface of the soup showing gentle swirls and a glossy shine, all placed on a white marbled texture background photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?

Yes, you can use fresh ripe tomatoes. You’ll need about 8 cups of peeled and chopped tomatoes. Simmer longer to allow the sauce to thicken properly.

Is this sauce suitable for babies?

This sauce can be suitable for babies once blended smooth and served without added salt or seasoning. Always check with your pediatrician before introducing new foods.