Sneaky Veggie Pasta Sauce
Sneaky Veggie Pasta Sauce
Ingredients
For the Sneaky Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 zucchini, finely chopped
- 1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 28-ounce can canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
For Serving
- 8 ounces pasta, any kid-friendly shape like rotini or penne
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, for topping
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Ask a grown-up to help you chop all the veggies into super tiny pieces! The smaller they are, the sneakier they'll be. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
Add the chopped onion, carrots, zucchini, and red bell pepper to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the veggies are soft and tender, about 8-10 minutes. This is where the magic happens – the veggies get super soft!
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min
- 4
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and sugar. Give it a good stir. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
⏱️ 3 min
- 5
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the sauce cook for at least 20 minutes, or up to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This helps all the flavors blend together and makes the veggies even softer.
⏱️ 20 min
- 6
Carefully remove the pot from the heat. Now for the super sneaky part! Use an immersion blender (ask a grown-up for help!) to blend the sauce until it's super smooth and creamy. No lumpy veggies here!
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
While the sauce is simmering, cook your favorite pasta according to package directions. Drain well.
⏱️ 10 min
- 8
Serve the warm, sneaky veggie sauce over the cooked pasta. Top with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and a little fresh parsley if you like. Enjoy your super yummy and secretly healthy meal!
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Sneaky Veggie Pasta Sauce
Ingredients
For the Sneaky Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 zucchini, finely chopped
- 1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 28-ounce can canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
For Serving
- 8 ounces pasta, any kid-friendly shape like rotini or penne
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, for topping
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Ask a grown-up to help you chop all the veggies into super tiny pieces! The smaller they are, the sneakier they'll be. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
Add the chopped onion, carrots, zucchini, and red bell pepper to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the veggies are soft and tender, about 8-10 minutes. This is where the magic happens – the veggies get super soft!
⏱️ 10 min - 3
Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min - 4
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and sugar. Give it a good stir. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
⏱️ 3 min - 5
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the sauce cook for at least 20 minutes, or up to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This helps all the flavors blend together and makes the veggies even softer.
⏱️ 20 min - 6
Carefully remove the pot from the heat. Now for the super sneaky part! Use an immersion blender (ask a grown-up for help!) to blend the sauce until it's super smooth and creamy. No lumpy veggies here!
⏱️ 5 min - 7
While the sauce is simmering, cook your favorite pasta according to package directions. Drain well.
⏱️ 10 min - 8
Serve the warm, sneaky veggie sauce over the cooked pasta. Top with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and a little fresh parsley if you like. Enjoy your super yummy and secretly healthy meal!
⏱️ 1 min