Homemade Pasta Sauce in a Flash!
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Warning: Do not let your kids read this as it is a super secret way to get them to eat more vegetables.
I always feel like I am looking for new ways to get my kids to eat more veggies. Making my own pasta sauce is one of my favourite ways. And guess what - it is super easy.
When you make your own sauce you also eliminate the extra sugar and sodium that store bought pasta sauce often contains. I love knowing exactly what has gone into the sauce, and being able to use ingredients right from our fridge that need to be used up. Especially in the summer time when you can’t keep up with your garden veggies! This is how I put it all together - yes you can find tons of recipes online - but I prefer the ‘use whatever you have’ approach. Take a large baking sheet with high edges to hold the goodness inside.
Open up the fridge and pull out whatever vegetables you have in the fridge. Carrots, celery, onions, squash, zucchini, peppers, eggplant, mushrooms, garlic, fennel, etc. Peel any that require peeling and chop up into big pieces. Spread on pan. I usually choose a bit of everything to make a single layer on pan. Next you need tomatoes - you can use fresh chopped up or a can of tomatoes - use about 6 medium size tomatoes per pan. Throw tomatoes on pan and toss veggies together. Drizzle olive oil over the top and add any herbs and seasoning you may like. Salt, pepper, oregano, basil, thyme, etc. You can add more seasoning if needed once you taste the finished product.
Place pan in 375 degree oven and let veggies roast - about 45 minutes or until veggies are soft. Once it has cooled out of oven slightly place in blender and blend to your desired consistence. Taste and add more spices if needed. If you wish to add spinach or kale to the sauce now is the time - add then blend again.
You can store sauce in the fridge for a few days or freeze in freezer bag for a few months. I usually throw a quick pan of this in the oven on Sunday's while I am prepping food for week. It makes use of old produce and makes way for fresh produce.
Serve this with any type of pasta or use for pizzas, casseroles, etc. Sometimes I add a bit of store sauce to the mix to get a better consistency if needed. Honestly my kids (and husband) don't know the difference and it is win-win all around.
