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Hidden Zucchini Tomato Pasta Sauce
This Hidden Zucchini Tomato Sauce is one of those recipes that makes you feel like you’re winning at dinner. It’s rich, flavorful, and packed with fresh zucchini that completely disappears into the sauce so no one needs to know there are extra veggies hiding in there. 😂
I make this when I have zucchini I need to use up or when I want to sneak a few extra veggies onto my kids’ plates without hearing about it. Blend it until smooth, toss it with your favorite pasta, and suddenly everyone’s asking for seconds of the zucchini they swear they “don’t like.”
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Equipment
- 1 Large deep pan
- Blender or immersion blender
Ingredients
- 1 lb short pasta I used lumaconi, reserve 1 cup pasta water
- 3 large garlic cloves smashed
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large zucchini sliced
- 1 28oz can crushed tomatoes San Marzano are best
- 1 tsp salt more to taste
- 1/4 tsp pepper more to taste
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp butter
- Fresh basil optional, for topping
- Parmesan cheese for topping
Instructions
- Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to the boil, and cook the pasta according to the directions on the package.
- As soon as you put the water on to boil, begin making the sauce.
- In a large deep pan on medium heat, add the olive oil and garlic and cook the garlic for a minute, then add the sliced zucchini. Cook until the zucchini are beginning to brown (about 7 minutes), then add the crushed tomatoes, salt and pepper. Increase heat to medium-high so sauce can simmer and thicken. Cook for 10 minutes.
- After about 10 minutes, put the sauce (including zucchini pieces and garlic) in a blender (or use an immersion blender) and blend until smooth. Pour smoothed sauce back into original pan. Reduce heat to low.
- Add heavy cream and mix.
- Add cooked pasta along with 1tbsp butter and a few ladles of pasta water. Taste for salt, add more if needed.
- Serve with fresh basil and cheese and enjoy!
Nutrition
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see it! Tag me on Instagram @thecookingmawma and let me know what you think. My family loves it and I hope yours does, too!
Tips for Making This Recipe
- Let the zucchini actually brown. Don’t rush this step! Giving the zucchini time to get golden adds so much more flavor to the sauce before everything gets blended together.
- Make the sauce ahead. The hidden zucchini tomato sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just reheat it gently before tossing with freshly cooked pasta.
- Don’t forget to save your pasta water! That starchy water helps loosen the sauce and makes it cling beautifully to the pasta. Add it a little at a time—you can always add more, but you can’t take it back out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze Hidden Zucchini Tomato Sauce?
Do I need a blender to make this sauce?
Can you taste the zucchini in the sauce?
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Your kids will love it and not even know it has zucchini in it! I hope you love it!