Veggie-Packed Pasta Sauce

This quick and easy pasta sauce is great way to sneak in extra servings of veggies, which is particularly handy if you have little ones who are still learning to like certain foods! Just add your preferred protein and serve with whatever type of pasta you have on hand.

You'll Need:

1 small onion, finely diced

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 cup grated vegetables (eg. carrot, zucchini, mushroom)

400g tomatoes

200g minced meat, or 1 cup cooked lentils, chickpeas or beans

2 teaspoons dried thyme

1 teaspoon dried oregano

2 tablespoons olive oil

Optional: chilli flakes

Wholemeal pasta to serve

Method:

Heat oil in a pan over low heat, and fry onion and garlic until transparent.

Increase heat to medium, add grated vegetables and fry for a further 3 minutes, until soft.

Add tomatoes and herbs (and chilli flakes, if using), and simmer for around 20 minutes, until sauce has reduced and thickened. If you prefer a smooth sauce (or you're trying to hide the veggies!), cool sauce slightly, then transfer to a blender and blend until smooth.

Return sauce to the pan, and add meat, lentils or another protein alternative. Simmer until cooked through.

Season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve with wholemeal pasta.

Makes 2 Serves