Sneaky and Easy Homemade Pasta Sauce
Transform your pasta nights with this Sneaky and Easy Homemade Pasta Sauce, a wholesome recipe that sneaks in finely grated veggies for a nutrient-packed twist! Perfect for busy weeknights, this quick and simple sauce combines carrots, zucchini, and aromatic garlic with crushed tomatoes and Italian herbs, delivering a rich, flavorful topping in just 35 minutes. Whether you choose to keep it chunky or blend it into a smooth, velvety texture, this versatile sauce is a family-friendly staple that pairs beautifully with pasta, pizza, or even as a dipping sauce. Meal prep all the way to deliciousness with this customizable, veggie-loaded recipe that’s as nourishing as it is satisfying!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 carrots, finely grated
- 1 medium zucchini, finely grated
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil (optional, chopped)
Instructions
Heat a large saucepan over medium heat and add the olive oil.
Once the oil is shimmering, add the finely diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until softened and translucent.
Add the grated carrots, grated zucchini, and minced garlic to the pan. Cook for an additional 4-5 minutes, stirring often, until the vegetables slightly soften and release their moisture.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir in the tomato paste until evenly mixed.
Add the dried Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine all the flavors.
Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
Optional: If you prefer a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender to blend the sauce directly in the pan, or carefully transfer it to a regular blender and pulse until it reaches your desired consistency.
Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed. Stir in fresh chopped basil if using.
Serve warm over your favorite pasta, use as a base for pizza, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
692 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 31.2 g | 40% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.7 g | 24% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2352 mg | 102% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 101.5 g | 37% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 26.0 g | 93% | |
| Total Sugars | 61.7 g | ||
| Protein | 18.2 g | 36% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 385 mg | 30% | |
| Iron | 10.7 mg | 59% | |
| Potassium | 4441 mg | 94% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
