Heart-Healthy Traditional Italian Sugo

Elevate your pasta night with this Heart-Healthy Traditional Italian Sugo, a lighter twist on a classic Italian tomato sauce. Brimming with robust flavors and wholesome ingredients, this recipe swaps out excess salt for aromatic herbs like fresh basil and dried oregano, while incorporating a medley of finely chopped vegetables—carrots, celery, and onions—for natural sweetness and depth. Simmered to perfection with no-salt-added crushed tomatoes and enriched with a splash of low-sodium vegetable broth, this sugo is as nourishing as it is flavorful. Ready in just 45 minutes, it’s perfect for pairing with whole-grain or legume-based pasta for a nutritious, satisfying meal that’s both heart-friendly and authentically Italian. Whether you're meal-prepping or enjoying it fresh, this versatile sauce will become a staple in your healthy kitchen!

Nutriscore Rating: 82/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium (finely chopped) Yellow onion
• 3 minced Garlic cloves
• 1 medium (finely grated) Carrot
• 1 finely chopped Celery stalk
• 28 ounces Canned crushed tomatoes (no-salt-added)
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste (no-salt-added)
• 10 (chopped) Fresh basil leaves
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 0.25 teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 1 cup Low-sodium vegetable broth

Directions

Step 1

Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the finely chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic, grated carrot, and chopped celery, cooking for another 2-3 minutes until aromatic and slightly softened.

Step 4

Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and low-sodium vegetable broth to the pan, stirring to combine.

Step 5

Season with dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, and ground black pepper. Stir well.

Step 6

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.

Step 7

During the last 5 minutes of cooking, stir in the chopped fresh basil leaves for a burst of fresh flavor.

Step 8

Remove from heat and taste the sauce, adjusting seasoning as needed.

Step 9

Serve immediately over your favorite whole-grain or legume-based pasta, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1325.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	573.5

Total Fat 29.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 353.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 76.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.1g	0%
Total Sugars 42.2g
Protein 14.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 258.7mg	0%
Iron 6.0mg	0%
Potassium 2942.0mg	0%

*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: 42.5%

Protein: 9.1%

Carbs: 48.4%