Hide Those Veggies Mom Sauce

Transform mealtime with "Hide Those Veggies Mom Sauce," a kid-friendly, veggie-packed recipe that’s as nutritious as it is delicious! This vibrant, silky tomato-based sauce is brimming with hidden vegetables like carrots, zucchini, red bell pepper, and fresh spinach, blended to creamy perfection for even the pickiest eaters. Balanced with fragrant spices like oregano and basil, and a touch of sweetness from honey or sugar, this versatile sauce pairs beautifully with pasta, pizza, or your favorite casserole. Ready in just an hour, it’s a clever way to sneak more vegetables into your family’s meals without anyone suspecting a thing! Plus, it’s freezer-friendly for quick dinners on busy nights. Perfect for parents looking for healthy family recipes and delicious ways to incorporate more vegetables into everyday dishes.

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 2 medium carrots
• 1 medium zucchini
• 1 medium red bell pepper
• 4 large garlic cloves
• 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon honey (or sugar)
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (optional, for richness)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Step 2

Peel and finely dice the onion. Add it to the pot and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until translucent.

Step 3

Peel and grate the carrots, dice the zucchini, and dice the red bell pepper into small pieces. Add them to the pot and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 4

Mince the garlic cloves and add them to the pot. Sauté for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.

Step 5

Pour in the crushed tomatoes and vegetable broth. Stir well to combine.

Step 6

Add the dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and honey (or sugar) to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.

Step 7

Cover the pot, lower the heat, and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 8

Stir in the fresh spinach and cook for an additional 5 minutes until wilted.

Step 9

Optional: Add unsalted butter to enrich the sauce and enhance the flavor.

Step 10

Using an immersion blender, carefully puree the sauce until smooth and creamy. Alternatively, transfer the sauce in batches to a stand blender and blend until smooth.

Step 11

Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt or pepper if needed.

Step 12

Serve the 'Hide Those Veggies Mom Sauce' over pasta, as a pizza topping, or as a base for other dishes. It can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1740.5 grams (1740.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1028

Total Fat 56.50g	72%
Saturated Fat 19.90g	99%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.60g
Cholesterol 63mg	21%
Sodium 5928mg	258%
Total Carbohydrate 122.80g	45%
Dietary Fiber 28.60g	102%
Total Sugars 71.10g
Protein 23.20g	46%

Vitamin D 18IU	92%
Calcium 462mg	36%
Iron 13mg	71%
Potassium 4460mg	95%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.5%

Protein: 8.5%

Carbs: 45.0%