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Spaghetti with Chopped-Veggie Tomato Sauce
with baby spinach side salad

Active: 25 min Total: 35 min
Nobody says no to spaghetti night, right? This is one the whole fam will love. Bonus points for reenacting a 'Lady in the Tramp' moment!
Smarts: We use a new method to make our sauce thicker and to hide some veggies - by pureeing our mirepoix first, they cook fast, add flavor and texture, and make the sauce healthier!
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Ingredients

Metric
Servings:
4
Baby Spinach Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette:
  • Balsamic vinegar - 1 1/2 Tbsp
  • Dijon mustard - 2 tsp
  • Maple syrup - 2 tsp
  • Cooking oil - 2 Tbsp
  • Salt and pepper - to taste
  • Baby spinach - 4 oz
Spaghetti with Chopped-Veggie Tomato Sauce:
  • Spaghetti - 10 oz
  • Garlic - 2 cloves , peeled
  • Onions, small - 1 , rough chopped
  • Carrots - 2 , rough chopped
  • Celery - 1 rib , rough chopped
  • Zucchini - 2 , diced
  • Mushrooms, brown or cremini - 1 lb , sliced
  • Cooking oil - 1 Tbsp
  • Oregano, dried - 1 tsp
  • Basil, dried - 1 tsp
  • Red pepper flakes - 1/4 tsp
  • Crushed tomatoes (28 oz / 794 g can) - 1 can
  • Red wine (opt) - 1/2 cup
  • Parmesan - for serving , grated

Prep

  1. Make pasta - Bring a saucepan of water to boil. Salt generously and add pasta. Cook until al dente, tender but not soggy. Drain. (Can be done up to 3 days ahead)
  2. Garlic / Onions / Carrots / Celery - Rough chop and then puree in a blender, food processor or using an immersion blender. (Can be done up to 3 days ahead)
  3. Zucchini / Mushrooms - Prep as directed. (Can be done up to 3 days ahead)

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Make

  1. Heat a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add oil and then veggie puree with oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes to heated oil. Saute for 3 to 4 minutes.
  2. Add crushed tomatoes and wine (if using). Boil and then simmer uncovered (be careful of spattering or just embrace it and clean up later) for 15 to 20 minutes, folding in zucchini and mushrooms in the last 5 minutes.
  3. While sauce is cooking, whisk together balsamic, Dijon, maple syrup, and cooking oil. Salt and pepper vinaigrette to taste.
  4. When sauce is done simmering, taste and then season with more spices, salt, and or / pepper.
  5. Divide pasta into bowls or plates and let everyone spoon as much sauce as they want over pasta. Serve with as much parmesan as you want. Toss vinaigrette with spinach and enjoy on the side.

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