Hidden Veggie Tomato Sauce

This Hidden Veggie Tomato Sauce is loaded with lots of different vegetables and blended in the Thermomix until smooth. As well as tasting great, it’s perfect for fussy eaters, children and anyone with textural issues.

It’s a fabulous base recipe for the freezer and can be used as a base to create a range of fabulous pasta sauces and is even great on pizzas!

Shop bought pasta sauces often have lots of added sugar and are high in salt. Yes they are easy and convenient, but with this sauce, it can be just as easy to whip up a mid week meal for the family that is healthy and flavourful.

Choice of vegetables

You really can use whatever veggies you have on hand. A selection helps to balance the flavour, I try and have six or seven varieties. Buy what’s in season or on special at the fruit and veg shop.

The selection of veggies you choose will determine the colour of the sauce.

Remember to cut ‘hard’ veggies such as pumpkin, smaller so they cook through.

You may need to add a little water to reach a good consistency; this will depend on your veggie choices.

Make sure throughout this cook you do not exceed the maximum fill line, and blend half the sauce at a time.

Uses

Hidden Veggie Tomato Sauce can be used for a variety of dishes, including:

1. Pasta: This is the most common use. Simply boil your favourite pasta, drain it, and toss it with the sauce for a delicious meal. Adding some small tomatoes, spinach or browning some skinless sausage or bacon in a pan before adding the sauce will add even more flavour!
2. Pizza: This sauce can be used as a base for homemade pizza. Spread the sauce over a Thermie made pizza crust, add your favourite toppings, and bake it in the oven. I work on 1/2 cup of sauce for a large pizza
3. Lasagne: Hidden Veggie Tomato Sauce is a great option for making lasagne. Layer cooked lasagne sheets with sauce, ricotta cheese, and mozzarella cheese for a delicious vegetarian lasagne.
4. Eggplant Parmesan: Use veggie pasta sauce as a topping for breaded and fried eggplant slices. Top the eggplant with the sauce and some mozzarella cheese, and bake it in the oven for a tasty eggplant parmesan.
5. Stuffed shells: Stuff cooked pasta shells with a mixture of ricotta cheese, spinach, and herbs, and then top them with veggie pasta sauce and some shredded cheese. Bake in the oven until bubbly and golden brown.

This sauce is so versatile and can be used in many different dishes.

Storing

Storing this sauce is easy.

1. Let the sauce cool down to room temperature before storing it.
2. Transfer the sauce to an airtight container.
3. Place the container in the refrigerator and use within 3 days.
4. Alternatively, you can freeze the sauce to extend its shelf life. To freeze, transfer the cooled sauce to an airtight container, or zip lock bags in usable portions. Label with the date of preparation, and then store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.

When you’re ready to use the sauce, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Filling bags to freeze

Watch me make this versatile sauce

Veggie Loaded Pasta Tomato Sauce

A flavourful base tomato sauce loaded with hidden veggies and flavour!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Equipment

• TM5 or TM6

Ingredients

  

• 1 onion quartered
• 4 large cloves garlic
• 1 leek chopped
• 2 tbsp tomato paste heaped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 30 grams butter
• 2 carrots chopped
• 2 red capscicums chopped
• 1 zucchini chopped
• 2 celery stalks chopped
• 1/4 small pumpkin chopped
• 1/2 bunch parsley
• 2 400g tins of tomatoes
• 1 tsp Sugar
• 2 tsp oregano
• salt and pepper to season

Instructions

 

• Add onion and garlic to Thermomix Bowl and chop, 3 secs/speed 5. Scrap down sides of bowl.
• Add leek, tomato paste, olive oil and butter and saute 4 mins/100℃/speed 0.5/no measuring cup/simmering basket sitting on lid
• Add remaining vegetables and chop 10 secs/speed 6, using the spatula through the lid hole to help. Scrape down sides of bowl and chop 5 secs/speed 6 if there still some big veggies present.
• Add tin tomatoes, sugar, oregano and season. Cook 20 mins/120℃/speed 1/no measuring cup/simmering basket sitting on lid
• Taste and adjust seasoning. Remove half and blend the remaining using the Blend function for 1 minute speed 8 or until a smooth paste consistency is achieved.

  For TM5, Blend 2 min/speed 5-8, increasing speed gradually from speed 5 to speed 8 or until a smooth paste consistency is achieved

  Tip into a container and repeat with the second portion of sauce.

  Use as desired.

Notes

Make sure throughout this cook you do not exceed the maximum fill line, and blend half the sauce at a time.

See additional notes on storage etc in my blog feed.