Hidden-Veggie Pasta Sauce

Recipe by: Sarah Butler

This special sauce has received rave reviews and reduced mealtime stress in so many homes. The trick is to blend the vegetables into a smooth, flavorful base, making them virtually undetectable in dishes like pasta and used as a pizza base.

Hidden-Veggie Pasta Sauce

SERVES

4

PEOPLE

PREP TIME

5

MINUTES

COOKING TIME

25

MINUTES

Ingredients

  • 200g tomatoes, quartered

  • 1 small white onion

  • 1 celery stick, cubed into ½ inch pieces

  • 1 carrot, cubed into ¼ inch pieces

  • 1 red pepper, cubed into ½ inch pieces

  • 3 garlic cloves, halved

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 tbsp butter, melted

  • Salt and freshly ground pepper

  • 1 tbsp tomato purée

  • Handful of fresh basil and parsle or 1 tbsp dried herbs like basil, thyme, oregano, or parsley

  • Dash of fresh cream (optional)

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/ gas 6.

  2. Combine the tomatoes, onion, celery, courgette, carrot, pepper and garlic in a large bowl. Coat everything well with the olive oil and butter.

  3. Season with salt and pepper.

  4. Spread the vegetables evenly on a baking tray, spacing them out as much as possible, ensuring they don’t overlap.

  5. Roast for 25 minutes covered in tin foil until everything is softened and a fork removes easily when inserted into them. If they need a little more time to soften, roast for an additional 5-10 minutes.

  6. Place the vegetables in a deep jug with the tomato purée, basil and parsley.

  7. Blend with a stick blender until smooth. Pour in a little water to thin the sauce if you prefer a thinner consistency. Season to taste.

  8. Serve with cooked pasta or use as a pizza base sauce.

  9. Sarah's secretsAdd cooked chicken or crispy bacon to this pasta sauce to get a little protein in.

  10. I also love to spread this in on top of bagels with grated cheddar and grill for a tasty after-school snack.

  11. If you have any sauce leftover, it will keep in a jam jar for 5 days refrigerated. It is handy to have to add to cooked pasta on those busy days.

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