Pasta with tomato & hidden veg sauce

5-a-day carrot carrots caster sugar celery child friendly children chopped tomato chopped tomatoes fibre five a day folic acid freeze kids kids food leek leeks make ahead mid-week olive oil onion onions parmesan pasta pepper peppers veggie vitamin c

N/A

Source

Ingredients

1 tsp olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

2 celery sticks, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

1 leek, chopped

2 peppers, deseeded and chopped

2 cans chopped tomatoes with garlic

1 tbsp each caster sugar and balsamic vinegar

300g dried pasta shapes

parmesan, shaved, and rocket, to serve (optional)

Method

Heat the oil in a large non-stick saucepan and gently cook the onion, celery, carrots and leek until soft, about 20 mins. Add the peppers and cook for 10 mins more, then tip in the tomatoes, sugar and vinegar. Simmer for at least 20 mins – the longer the better.

Cook the pasta following pack instructions. Meanwhile, blitz the sauce with a hand blender until smooth, season and return to the heat to keep warm while the pasta cooks. Drain the pasta and toss through the sauce. Serve in bowls topped with shaved Parmesan and rocket leaves, if you like.