Hidden Vegetable Pasta Sauce

CALLING ALL MAMAS!!! Having trouble getting your kids to eat vegetables? Well, here is a sneaky way to get those vegetables into their systems. I don't know very many kids that don't like spaghetti with sauce and parmesan. I love this recipe because it doesn't require a lot of effort to make something kid friendly.

Tips:

No oil required - because your lining your pan with foil, you don't need any oil! It's healthy in more ways than one!
Oodles of noodles - whatever noodle you choose to serve this sauce with, make it a pasta that can hold sauce well, because this is a saucy recipe.
Blender friendly - using a blender for this recipe makes it SUPER easy to prepare, but a food processer works just the same; just make sure the processor or blender is 8 cups or larger in volume.
HOT VEGGIES - blend the vegetables while they're hot so that the water that they let off while roasting isn't lost in the pan.
Tomato paste trick - I always have trouble getting all of the tomato paste out of the tiny can, so I borrowed this trick from Mr. Mario Batali: use a can opener to open both ends of the tomato paste can; remove one can lid; push the opposite end to use the other lid as a plunger! GENIUS! 

Oven Temperature: 350 degrees

Prep Time: 10-15 minutes

Cook Time: 50-60 minutes

Servings: 8 cups sauce

2 large carrots,cleaned and peeled

2 stalks celery,

1 large green pepper, cored and quartered 

1 large red pepper, cored and quartered

1 large yellow pepper, cored and quartered

1 large onion, quartered

1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste

1 cup water

1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 (16 ounce) box of pasta, prepared

Directions: 

1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2) Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spread the prepared vegetables evenly onto the baking sheet.

3) Cover the pan again with aluminum foil so that the vegetables are surrounded with foil.

4) Place the pan in the oven and roast for 50-60 minutes or until the vegetables are tender (see below left).

5) Transfer HOT vegetables with tongs into a large blender or food processor. Cover and blend until the vegetables reach a smooth consistency ; no water should be used (see below right).

6) Add into the blender the tomato paste, water and seasonings. Blend until combined.

7) Pour sauce over prepared pasta and enjoy. 

     Tender vegetables                                                                                 Smooth consistency               from Step 4.                                                                                         from Step 5

Roasted vegetables from Step 4