Hidden Veggie Pasta Sauce
This hearty Hidden Veggie Pasta Sauce is perfect for a quick and nutritious weeknight dinner. Packed with a medley of diced veggies like onion, celery, carrots, bell pepper, and zucchini, all sautéed until tender and simmered in a rich tomato sauce, it’s a versatile dish that can be served over your favorite pasta or light zucchini noodles. Blended to a smooth, velvety consistency, this sauce delivers flavor in every bite, with an optional kick from red pepper flakes and a touch of parmesan for added richness. Easy to make and full of wholesome ingredients, it’s a great way to sneak in more veggies, making it especially kid-friendly!
Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 5 Serving Size: 3/4 cups
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 celery ribs, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- Grated parmesan cheese (optional)
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Directions:
- Heat olive oil in a large, high-sided pan over medium heat. Sauté the diced onion, celery, carrots, bell pepper, and zucchini, stirring occasionally, until they become translucent (about 10 minutes).
- Season with black pepper and red pepper flakes as needed, reduce heat to medium-low, and add minced garlic. Pour in the tomato sauce, lower the heat, and simmer partially covered for 15 minutes.
- Carefully place mixture in a blender and blend until smooth, about 1-2 minutes. Pour over some pasta or zucchini noodles and garnish with parmesan if desired!
Tips and Tricks:
- For a richer, caramelized flavor, roast the diced veggies in the oven with olive oil at 400°F for about 20-25 minutes before adding them to the sauce.
- If you prefer a chunkier sauce, you can blend only half the mixture, leaving some of the sautéed vegetables whole for added texture.
- Consider adding fresh or dried herbs like basil, oregano, or thyme to enhance the sauce’s flavor profile.
Nutrition Facts:
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