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Easiest possible pasta sauce - yes, i am lazy!

PostPosted: Mon May 08, 2023 12:38 pm
by MINNIE
Most of the people I know who cook at home (actually not many) seem to think that making tomato sauce for pasta is laborious and requires simmering a huge pot for hours on stove after dicing and slicing all kinds of stuff. Well, I am never going to do that, and I won't buy packaged sauces because of the fat, salt and sugar content. Also none of them ever taste really fresh to me. So here is what I do.

Serious chefs, avert your eyes!

What you need: pasta, water, frozen or canned veggies of your choice. Opened can of salt-free tomato paste. Spices, herbs, or my lazy favorite, Mrs. Dash lemon pepper.

Cook pasta in water as directed. As the water boils, throw in some frozen or salt-free canned veggies. You may need to let the water heat up again to a boil if using frozen vegetables, but this only adds a few seconds to the cooking time. Drain. Put in a bowl while still hot, scoop out tomato pasta from the can (any amount you like) toss the pasta and vegetables until coated, Add a little water if needed to thin the paste. Stir in your seasoning. Eat.

This makes a good emergency or travel meal that you can make anywhere, if you have the means to boil water.



That's all. :)

Re: Easiest possible pasta sauce - yes, i am lazy!

PostPosted: Mon May 08, 2023 2:06 pm
by Daydream
Minnie, thank you for sharing! I welcome food prep shortcuts.

Re: Easiest possible pasta sauce - yes, i am lazy!

PostPosted: Wed May 10, 2023 5:26 am
by VeggieSue
MINNIE wrote:Serious chefs, avert your eyes!

What you need: pasta, water, frozen or canned veggies of your choice. Opened can of salt-free tomato paste. Spices, herbs, or my lazy favorite, Mrs. Dash lemon pepper.



Don't forget Jeff Novick's version of marinara sauce:

For each 28ox box of POMI chopped tomatoes

- 1/2 cup diced (frozen) green pepper & onions
- 1 tbsp Mrs Dash Tomato Basil mix
- 1-2 tsp minced garlic

You can either use “as-is” or let simmer for about 20 minutes or leave if refrigerator.

I usually make a double batch and use 1 box chopped tomatoes and one box strained tomatoes


https://www.drmcdougall.com/forums/view ... 02#p596302

I usually substitute a different veggies because I have a hard time finding decent frozen peppers & onions.

Re: Easiest possible pasta sauce - yes, i am lazy!

PostPosted: Wed May 10, 2023 5:53 am
by JeffN
Thanks!

In the cooking demo, I’ve simplified it even more.

Instant Marinara Sauce #1
1 28 oz container Pomi strained or chopped tomatoes
2 tsp dried basil
2 tsp dried onions
2 tsp dried tomato
1/4 - 1/2 cup water


Instant Marinara sauce #2
1 28 oz container Pomi strained or chopped tomatoes
1- 2 tbsp Mrs Dash Tomato, Basil, Garlic
1/4- 1/2 cup water to achieve desired consistency


- I like to make these in a qt mason jar
- These will thicken in the first hour or two as the dried veggies & spices absorb some of the water. Adjust the amount of water accordingly
- I usually make a double batch and use 1 box strained & 1 box chopped tomatoes

The Dried tomatoes I use
https://a.co/d/fbQGIWl

Mrs Dash Tomato Basil Garlic
https://a.co/d/8aKHgxr
You can find it cheaper at your local grocery store

I have no affiliation with any products or make any money off of them

In health
Jeff

Re: Easiest possible pasta sauce - yes, i am lazy!

PostPosted: Sat May 13, 2023 4:48 am
by VeggieSue
JeffN wrote:Thanks!

In the cooking demo, I’ve simplified it even more.



Thanks back at ya! Those dried/dehydrated veggies go great in these sauces. I usually toss in a handful of dried spinach, too. The garlic and mushrooms don't rehydrate that well in the sauce, though, so I save them for soups & stews.