How to Make the Perfect Hidden Veggie Tomato Pasta Sauce
Italian · Easy · 35 min · 5 servings
A deeply flavorful blended tomato sauce secretly packs in carrots, zucchini, and onion for a nutrition boost kids will never detect. Served over spaghetti it is the ultimate picky eater solution for busy weeknights.
Why this recipe works
This Hidden Veggie Tomato Pasta Sauce recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 35 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 340 calories with 11g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 400 g spaghetti
- 400 g canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 whole medium carrots peeled and chopped
- 1 whole medium zucchini roughly chopped
- 1 whole small onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Soften the Vegetables
Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat and cook the onion, carrots, zucchini, and garlic for 10 minutes until completely softened and beginning to turn golden.
Step 2: Add Tomatoes and Simmer
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, season with salt and a pinch of sugar, and simmer the sauce on low heat for 15 minutes to allow all the flavors to meld together.
Step 3: Blend Until Smooth
Use an immersion blender directly in the pot or carefully transfer to a countertop blender to blend the sauce until it is completely smooth with no visible vegetable pieces.
Step 4: Cook Pasta and Combine
Cook spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions. Drain and toss with the blended sauce, serving with grated parmesan on top.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- zucchini → cauliflower florets or spinach
- canned crushed tomatoes → passata or blended fresh tomatoes
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Not cooking the vegetables long enough before blending which leaves a raw veggie flavor in the sauce
- Blending a hot sauce in a countertop blender without leaving the lid slightly open which can cause a dangerous steam explosion
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 340 calories, 11g protein, 60g carbs, 6g fat, 6g fiber.
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