Adventures in Pasta Sauce

Pasta with tomato sauce is a staple in our diet. One of the first few nights here we picked up some jarred Costa Rican tomato “pasta sauce” but it tasted more like really awful pizza sauce. They do sell some US brands, but they cost an arm and a leg, and it’s much cheaper to make your own (especially when basil is so inexpensive). Plus, I really enjoy making my own pasta Sauce and I was making it quite often before leaving Colorado.

Vegan Tomato Sauce

Ingredients:

• Some Olive Oil
• 1/2 Yellow Onion, chopped
• Garlic, crushed/minced (to your liking)
• 1 Large Can Whole Tomatoes, chopped, or crushed
• Veggies (Spinach, Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Broccoli, Carrots, Eggplant, etc.)
• Fresh Basil, chopped
• Dried Oregano
• A pinch of Salt
• A bunch of Fresh Ground Pepper

Directions:

• Heat pan and add some Olive Oil.
• Add the chopped onion and a little Salt to help the Onion soften. If you are using Veggies (other than Spinach) add them now. Saute and stir.
• When the Veggies start to soften add the Garlic.
• Add Tomatoes as soon as you smell the Garlic.
• Add Spinach (if you’re using it) and herbs.
• Add Pepper and taste to see if you need more Salt.

This Sauce is great over pasta!

It’s also great as the sauce to Vegetable Lasagna! (See recipe below)

Vegetable Lasagna

Ingredients:

• Zucchini
• Eggplant
• Olive Oil
• Fresh Thyme
• Salt and Pepper
• Vegan Tomato Sauce (See recipe above)

Directions:

• Slice Veggies into 1/4-1/2″ think slices.
• Cover in Olive Oil, Thyme, Salt and Pepper.
• Heat a pan and add Veggies (may need to do a couple batches).
• Flip when golden on one side.
• When all Veggies are grilled build a tower on each plate (like Jenga or Link-N-Logs), alternating Eggplant and Zucchini.
• Pour Sauce over top and garnish with a few Thyme leaves.

This is just as satisfying as lasagna made with pasta as the veggies have a meatiness to them that is comforting. Plus there is more flavor! I’ve been eating this recently as a way to eat less gluten and carbs. If you’re just gluten sensitive and brown rice noodles are available in your area, that is a great option too. Personally, I like this better.