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Hidden Veggie Pasta Sauce Recipe

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3.8 from 8 reviews

Hidden Veggie Pasta Sauce is a wholesome and delicious recipe that creatively incorporates roasted vegetables into a creamy pasta sauce. With rigatoni pasta served in a rich blend of carrots, tomatoes, zucchini, onion, garlic, and bell pepper, this sauce is both nutritious and family-friendly, perfect for sneaking extra veggies into meals. It’s a versatile, freezer-friendly dinner option that balances flavor and health excellently.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 16 oz rigatoni pasta

Roasted Vegetables

  • 3 carrots, peeled & roughly chopped
  • 5 roma plum tomatoes, halved
  • 1 zucchini, roughly chopped
  • 1 large yellow onion, roughly chopped
  • 1 whole garlic head, outside layers peeled, top trimmed
  • 1 red bell pepper, halved

Seasonings & Oil

  • 2–3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt & pepper, to taste
  • Fresh basil, for garnish
  • Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
  • 1 cup reserved pasta water (plus more as needed)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Set the oven temperature to 450°F (232°C) to prepare for roasting the vegetables.
  2. Prepare Vegetables: Trim the top of the whole garlic head, peel off the outer papery layer without removing the skins of individual cloves. Roughly chop carrots, tomatoes, zucchini, onion, and halve the red bell pepper.
  3. Season and Roast: Place all the prepared vegetables on a large sheet pan. Drizzle with 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper generously. Roast in the oven for 60 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even cooking.
  4. Cook Pasta: While the veggies roast, boil rigatoni according to package instructions. Reserve about 1½ cups of pasta water before draining.
  5. Blend Vegetables: Allow the roasted vegetables to cool slightly. Transfer them to a large blender or food processor, adding approximately 1 cup of reserved pasta water. Blend until smooth, adjusting water quantity to reach the desired sauce consistency. If using a small blender, blend in batches.
  6. Heat Sauce: Pour the blended sauce into a large saucepan or pot over low to medium heat. Season with additional salt and pepper as needed. Warm gently to integrate flavors.
  7. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked and drained rigatoni to the sauce. Mix thoroughly, adding extra pasta water if necessary to loosen the sauce.
  8. Serve: Plate the pasta and sauce, garnish with fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve warm and enjoy your hidden veggie pasta delight!

Notes

  • You can customize the sauce consistency by adjusting the amount of reserved pasta water during blending.
  • Use fresh herbs instead of dried for a brighter flavor variation.
  • This sauce freezes well; store in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
  • Add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick, if preferred.
  • Make sure to roast the garlic head whole to mellow its flavor and enhance sweetness.
  • Author: Daisy
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 75 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Roasting
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://dishiary.com/hidden-veggie-pasta-sauce-recipe/