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5 Tomato Sauce Recipes to Up Your Pasta Game

5 Tomato Sauce Recipes to Up Your Pasta Game

tomato sauce recipes
Photo by Alesia Kozik from Pexels

Sauce is boss! And if there's one type of sauce that tastes great no matter what, it's tomato sauce. However, marinara isn't your only option as the juicy fruit (yup, tomato is fruit like many other thought-to-be veggies) pairs great with pretty much any ingredient, from faux meat to seeds. So, if you're set on spicing up your otherwise bland noodles, these five tomato sauce recipes are a great place to start.

1. "Summer Harvest" Tomato Sauce

Packed with some of summer's most delicious produce, this tomato sauce is the best way to set off a bowl of ordinary pasta. Thanks to its hefty dose of olive oil, it also has a smooth texture, which is pleasantly "disturbed" by the crunchy bits of olives, onion, and carrot.

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Add the tomato flakes and 3 cups of water to a pot and bring to a low simmer. Cook for 5 minutes or until the flakes start dissolving.
  2. In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat and sauté the onion, peppers, and carrot for 3-4 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute.
  3. Transfer the sauteed veggies to the pot and add the remaining ingredients (except for the olives). Cook for 15-20 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
  4. Stir in the olives right before serving.

2. Chicken Bolognese Sauce

Traditionally, Bolognese sauce is made with minced meat. However, this version uses SOY protein chicken bits instead of the real deal, which taste just as great and carry half the calories. So, if you've been looking for a way to cut back on meat without compromising on flavor, this tomato sauce recipe is here to save the day.

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Add the soy protein chicken bits and carrots to a bowl along with 2 cups of warm water and soak for 15 minutes. To remove excess liquid, squeeze the bits gently and set aside.
  2. Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a pot and sauté the onion, garlic, carrot, and chicken bits for 3-4 minutes.
  3. Pour the wine into the pot and simmer for 5 more minutes.
  4. Add the remaining one at a time and season with salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the sauce thickens.

3. Cheesy Cauliflower Tomato Sauce

Swapping meat for cauliflower, this tomato sauce has enough texture to charm even the pickiest of meat-eaters. The prep time is no longer than your average tomato sauce, so you can readily make it on a Wednesday when ketchup just doesn't cut it.

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Add the cauliflower along with 3 cups of lukewarm water and soak for 15 minutes in a bowl. Once hydrated, gently squeeze the pearls until all excess liquid is removed. Set aside.
  2. In a pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the onion, garlic, and cauliflower for 3-4 minutes, constantly stirring so that the food doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot.
  3. Stir in the tomato flakes, and then add the wine and 1 cup of water—season with salt and pepper. Turn the heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly.
  4. Remove from the heat and stir in the cheese and parsley.

4. Pepita Tomato Sauce

Thick and chunky (almost like salsa), this tomato sauce isn't your average cling-on-your-noodles gravy. Instead, it’s on the thicker side, which means it's perfect for the kind of pasta that calls for a heartier spread, i.e., fusilli, lasagna, or fettuccine.

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Add the chipotle peppers, cilantro, and pumpkin seeds to a food processor. Pulse until slightly chunky.
  2. In a pot, add the tomato flakes and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, turn down the heat to low, and simmer for 5 minutes.
  3. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer for 10 minutes more. If the consistency is too thick, add 2 tablespoons of warm water.

5. Chickpea Tomato Sauce

Swapping meat for chickpeas, this tomato sauce has enough texture to satisfy even the pickiest of carnivores. Thanks to its high content in protein, it's also perfect for anyone who's counting macros.

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Add the chickpeas to a bowl along with 2 cups of water and soak overnight. The following day transfer to a pot and boil until fork-tender.
  2. Then, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the chickpeas. Toss with one tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast for 25 minutes or until crispy. Set aside.
  3. Heat the remaining olive oil over medium heat in a pot and sauté the carrots and garlic for 2 minutes.
  4. Add the remaining ingredients (except for the cheese) and 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil, turn the heat to low, and simmer until the sauce thickens.
  5. Once cooked and slightly cooled, stir in the chickpeas and cheese and serve on top of your favorite noodles.

Would you try any of these tomato sauce recipes? Let us know in the comments down below!

References:

  1. https://www.cookingforkeeps.com/chicken-bolognese/
  2. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/238617/broiled-cauliflower-with-four-cheese-tomato-sauce/
  3. https://www.sarcasticcooking.com/2019/09/14/trader-joes-copycat-pepita-salsa/
  4. https://minimalistbaker.com/simple-chickpea-bolognese/
Clean Eating Era: How to Make Healthy Vegetable Salads that Everyone Will Love

Clean Eating Era: How to Make Healthy Vegetable Salads that Everyone Will Love

How to Make Healthy Vegetable Salads that Everyone Will LoveHealth enthusiasts have made clean eating fashionable, making vegetables a favorite meal for many people, unlike before. You can eat greens in salads, add them to your dishes, or smoothies. So how do you make salads that everyone will finish on their plate?
Here a few exciting ways to make your salads healthy and tasty.

Choose Green Vegetables


Green vegetables contain phytonutrients that are vital for health. They are an excellent source of fiber, which not only helps to prevent constipation but also has other tremendous health benefits.1 High fiber foods take longer to digest. Thus, they keep you full for longer. Therefore, you’re less likely to indulge in junk foods.1 This helps you to lose weight and maintain a healthy weight.  Eating high fiber foods lowers your risk of diabetes and heart disease.2 They prevent high cholesterol, by shielding the fat in food from being digested and absorbed. This reduces total blood cholesterol. Choose green veggies like lettuce, broccoli, or kale to build your foundation of good health.1

Add Nuts


Nuts are rich in natural healthy fats, proteins, minerals, and fiber. Add the crunchy and crispy texture of nuts to your vegetable salads.1 You can add almonds, walnuts, pecans, or pistachios.

Give it a Protein Boost


Proteins are the building blocks of the body. They help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and lower blood pressure. If you’re a vegetarian, you can add plant proteins, such as soy or tofu.1

Pick Vegetables that are in Season


Pick what’s available on the market, because it will be fresh and full of flavor. It will also be favorable to your budget. During winter, you can pick peas, bell peppers, cauliflower, and pumpkins. However, freeze dried vegetables are available all year round.
With these simple ideas, you will make a healthy vegetarian salad.

Here are two easy salad recipes that you can prepare right now.


Broccoli, Tomato and Cucumber Salad


This salad is very colorful and appetizing. You will need tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, bell peppers, broccoli, garlic, salt, and pepper. Chop everything up and mix them in a bowl. Place them in a steamer and steam for 5-10 minutes. Dress with olive oil and grated cheese. You can also roast them in the oven if you wish. The choice is yours.3

Marinated Vegetable Salad


Marinating brings out the flavor of vegetables. You will need cucumber, celery, cauliflower, cherry tomatoes, carrots, and onions.
Halve the cherry tomatoes, and slice the rest of the ingredients. In a bowl: combine the vegetables. For the dressing, you can use olive oil, parsley, wine vinegar, cloves, pepper, mustard, and salt. Pour the dressing over the salad. Refrigerate for at least two hours, then serve.4
We bring health to your table with our freeze dried vegetables. We have freeze-dried broccoli, bell peppers, cauliflower, cucumbers, and many other vegetables. You’re a click away from making healthy salads that will keep your family asking for more. Order today and enjoy the awesomeness.
Have a look at our vegetables here.
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References

  1. https://food.ndtv.com/lists/10-best-vegetarian-salad-recipes-1214201
  2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/fiber/art-20043983
  3. https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/veggie-lovers-pasta-salad-recipe/
  4. https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/marinated-fresh-vegetable-salad