Hidden Veggie Pasta Sauce

Hidden Veggie Pasta Sauce

This sauce is so creamy, no one will know there are more than a handful of different vegetables included. When it comes to picky eaters, my motto is: if they don't ask, simply don't tell. 🤫

Ingredients

  • olive oil
    2 tbsp
  • onion

    diced

    1
  • celery ribs

    diced

    2
  • carrots

    peeled and diced

    2
  • red bell pepper

    diced

    1
  • zucchini

    diced

    1
  • garlic

    minced

    3 cloves
  • salt
    to taste
  • tomato sauce
    1 ½ c
  • pasta

    any shape you like

    4 c
  • grated parmesan cheese)

    for garnish (optional

Directions

  1. 1

    Warm the olive oil in a large pan with high sides over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, carrots, bell pepper, and zucchini and cook, stirring occasionally, until the veggies are translucent, about 10 minutes.

  2. 2

    Season to taste with salt. Reduce the heat to medium-low.

  3. 3

    Stir in the garlic and add the tomato sauce. Reduce the heat to low, partially cover the pan with a lid, leaving a small opening on the side, and let simmer, about 15 minutes.

  4. 4

    Remove from the heat and carefully add the mixture to a blender. Blend on high speed until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes.

  5. 5

    In the meantime, cook your pasta of choice in boiling salted water until al dente. I used half of my sauce and added the cooked pasta to it with a touch of the pasta water.

  6. 6

    Garnish with parm, if using, and enjoy. I reserved the remaining sauce for the week but you can use it all up if you are a family of 4 or 5 as this recipe makes a lot of sauce.

Hidden Veggie Pasta Sauce

Hidden Veggie Pasta Sauce

4.9(38)341 cal

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Based on 38 ratings

themodernnonna.com
4.9(38 reviews)
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About this Recipe

Tired of the endless battle to get your family to eat their vegetables? This Hidden Veggie Pasta Sauce is your secret weapon, delivering a rich, creamy flavor that cleverly disguises a bounty of healthy ingredients, ensuring no one will suspect a thing. If they don't ask, simply don't tell!What makes this sauce truly special is its incredible ability to blend a surprising number of vegetables into a velvety smooth texture. You'll achieve a sauce so delicious and uniform, even the most discerning palates won't detect the nutritious additions. This recipe tackles picky eaters head-on, transforming humble vegetables into a family-favorite meal.Prepare for a pasta night that everyone will cheer for. This sauce offers a savory, deeply satisfying tomato base, elevated by the subtle sweetness of carrots and red bell pepper, and the earthy notes of zucchini, onion, and celery. The addition of fresh garlic rounds out the flavors beautifully. Its creamy consistency coats every strand of pasta perfectly, ensuring a flavorful bite every time. With 341 calories per serving, it's a comforting and wholesome meal that truly delivers on its promise of deliciousness and stealthy nutrition.While fantastic on its own, feel free to get creative with your hidden veggie arsenal. Consider blending in a handful of spinach or mushrooms along with the other vegetables for even more nutritional punch. For a heartier meal, you could brown some ground turkey or Italian sausage with the initial aromatics before adding the tomato sauce.Serve this versatile sauce over any pasta shape you like, finished with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of savory flavor. It's the perfect solution for busy weeknight dinners or a comforting family meal.

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