Hidden Veg Pasta Sauce Recipe
A flavorful and nutritious hidden vegetable pasta sauce made by sautéing a medley of finely chopped vegetables, simmering them with tomatoes and herbs, then blending into a smooth, rich sauce perfect for pasta dishes or as a versatile base for meals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: Approximately 6 cups (about 1.4 liters) of pasta sauce 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Main 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)
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Pour 2 tablespoons of olive oil into a large saucepan and warm it over medium heat.
- Sauté aromatics: Add the finely chopped onions, minced garlic, and dried Italian herbs to the saucepan. Stir frequently and cook for a couple of minutes until fragrant and the onions start to become translucent.
- Cook the vegetables: Add the finely chopped celery, leeks, carrots, red bell peppers, and zucchini to the pan. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring regularly to ensure the vegetables soften evenly without burning.
- Add tomatoes and simmer: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and stock or broth, stirring everything until well combined. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for a further 20 minutes to develop flavors.
- Blend the sauce: Allow the sauce to cool slightly before transferring it to a blender. Blend until completely smooth. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if desired, but avoid seasoning if preparing for a baby.
- Store the sauce: Let the blended sauce cool completely, then transfer it into airtight containers or zip-lock bags for storage. The sauce can be refrigerated or frozen for later use.
Notes
- You can use either chicken or vegetable stock/broth depending on your preference or dietary restrictions.
- Be cautious with seasoning if preparing the sauce for babies; avoid adding salt or strong spices.
- This sauce freezes well and can be stored in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months.
- Ensure vegetables are finely chopped so they cook evenly and blend smoothly.
Keywords: hidden vegetable pasta sauce, homemade pasta sauce, vegetable sauce, healthy pasta sauce, blended pasta sauce, Italian herbs pasta sauce
Find it online: https://freshrecipehub.com/hidden-veg-pasta-sauce-recipe/
