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Tuesday, April 10, 2012

My Quick Pasta Sauce Recipe

Some people make delicious pasta sauces simmered all day and I admire that.  I've done it myself.  But generally when I'm making pasta and tomato sauce it's because I need a quick, easy and delicious meal.

After a 3 day weekend of enjoying family time and then working all day Monday at my grown up job, I have a lot of catching up to do at home.  (plus the prom formal dress to complete)  So last night I prepared a meal based on things that needed used in my kitchen.  I had grape tomatoes and fresh herbs that were fading fast.  Tomato sauce makings for sure!

I've developed my easy tomato sauce recipe over the years from various recipes and it's basically this:

One can of pasta sauce - usually Del Monte or Hunts (no meat)

One can of tomatoes and green chilies (if you don't like spicy, just use regular diced tomatoes)

One can of cream soup (chicken, mushroom or celery -  use what you have in the pantry)

1/2 cup red wine (optional)

2 T Oregano

Herbs and spices - depending on what you have on hand and enjoy

Meat - ground turkey or beef -  if you want meat sauce - left over meatloaf works the best

Last night I used a pound of ground turkey - because that's what I had in the house. I cooked the turkey in the pot with chopped onion and crumbled it up.  Then I tossed the pasta sauce ingredients into the pot.

I added about 1 to 2 cups of grape tomatoes because they were slightly wrinkled and not pretty enough for a salad.  I simmered it for a while.

Then I threw in the herbs.  Oh fresh herbs! They make any food better.  I used oregano, italian parsley, basil, thyme and garlic.  I knew just smelling the herbs that it was going to be yummy!


I made my Easy Peasy Caesar Salad
Chopped romaine (and any other salad fixins' I feel like tossing in - I'm not a purest)
Ken's Lite Creamy Caesar dressing,
Shredded parmesan
Fiesta fajita seasoning (I use this on everything, really I do)
Sometimes we add pepperocinis but last night we didn't 
I sprinkled it with Lovera's Parmesan Seasoning (http://www.loverasmarket.com/)



Our bread was left over wheat sandwich rolls, split, spread with butter and garlic powder and broiled until they were toasty.  (I use what I have on hand, that's what my Mama taught me)




I boiled wheat angel hair pasta and we were ready to eat.

So there you go, my "special" tomato sauce - I swear it gets rave reviews, especially with the fresh herbs added.  I have enough left over for dinner tonight and we may eat again.  My sweetie is not too picky, he's easy to cook for, and me, I'm just TOO happy to microwave a leftover meal now and then.

What do you cook when you need something easy?  Do you cook meals based on what needs cooked before it ruins?

Much Love & Laughter,

Laura


I appreciate and read every comment. I apologize if you have to type in word verification, I've turned it off about 34 51 times and it keeps resetting.

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3 comments:

Debbie said...

I've never had type word verification here. I wonder why it resets? Blogger can be so annoying!

I think your sauce sounds delicious, and I stand in agreement that it is the fresh herbs that make all the difference.

Hope the dress is coming along. I can't wait to see it.

I've been away from blog land for over a week so I'm glad I didn't miss a big reveal.

Sooner Laura said...

Thanks for that feedback Debbie. I'm glad it's not making you type the words - very annoying. The dress will hopefully be done this weekend! And she likes it! I'm anxious to show it off as well.

Linda @ it all started with paint said...

That looks delicious!

And note to self: stop reading blogs with an empty stomach ...

I'm stopping by from Debbie-Doo's ...

:)

Linda
www.itallstartedwithpaint.com