Easy Pasta Sauce

When you’re in need of a quick and delicious pasta sauce, look no further than this Easy Pasta Sauce recipe. With its simple ingredients and straightforward preparation, this sauce delivers great taste without requiring hours of cooking. In fact, it’s so easy to make that you can prepare a large batch and freeze the extra for future use. Whether you’re pressed for time or simply craving a satisfying pasta dish, this sauce will become your go-to option for a hassle-free and flavorful meal.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 cup (160 g) finely chopped onion
• 1½ teaspoons minced garlic
• 2 cans (28 ounces, or 785 g) no-salt-added crushed tomatoes
• 2 teaspoons basil
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon (13 g) sugar
• 1 tablespoon (4 g) fresh parsley

PREPARATIONS:

1. In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the saucepan. Sauté until the onion becomes very soft, which usually takes about 10 minutes.
3. In a slow cooker, combine all the ingredients except for the fresh parsley.
4. Stir well to ensure all the ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
5. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours, allowing the flavors to develop and the sauce to thicken.
6. Once the cooking time is complete, add the fresh parsley to the sauce and cook for an additional 30 minutes to infuse it with its aromatic essence.

YIELD: 8 servings

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

• For additional depth of flavor, consider adding other herbs and spices such as thyme or red pepper flakes according to your taste preferences.
• If you prefer a smoother consistency, you can use an immersion blender or transfer the sauce to a blender to puree it until desired smoothness is achieved.
• Customize the sweetness level by adjusting the amount of sugar to suit your liking. You can even experiment with alternative sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.
• Feel free to add in your favorite vegetables or protein sources to enhance the sauce. Sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or cooked ground meat can all be delicious additions.

TIP:

• Make a large batch of this Easy Pasta Sauce and freeze the extra portions in airtight containers. This way, you’ll always have a convenient and delicious sauce ready for quick weeknight meals. Simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and heat it up when needed.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION PER SERVING:

• 206 g water
• 60 calories (19% from fat, 11% from protein, 70% from carbs)
• 2 g protein
• 1 g total fat
• 0 g saturated fat
• 1 g monounsaturated fat
• 0 g polyunsaturated fat
• 12 g carbs
• 3 g fiber
• 7 g sugar
• 46 mg phosphorus
• 74 mg calcium
• 2 mg iron
• 27 mg sodium
• 417 mg potassium
• 298 IU vitamin A
• 0 mg ATE vitamin E
• 21 mg vitamin C
• 0 mg cholesterol

This Easy Pasta Sauce is a lifesaver when you’re short on time but still crave a delicious pasta dish. With its simple yet flavorful combination of ingredients, you can enjoy a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen. The convenience of making a large batch and freezing the extra portions ensures that you’ll always have a homemade sauce on hand for those busy days. Customize it to your liking by adding your favorite herbs, spices, or additional ingredients. This versatile sauce will elevate any pasta dish and leave you wanting more.