Tangy and Fresh Pasta Sauce with Garden Vegetables

Elevate your pasta nights with this tangy and fresh pasta sauce featuring a medley of vibrant garden vegetables. Packed with juicy tomatoes, sweet carrots, zucchini, and bell peppers, this homemade sauce is balanced with the perfect touch of balsamic vinegar and fragrant herbs like basil and oregano. Made from scratch in just 45 minutes, this recipe combines wholesome ingredients for a flavorful, light, and healthy alternative to store-bought sauces. Whether you're tossing it with spaghetti or layering it in a hearty lasagna, this versatile sauce bursts with natural goodness and a hint of spice from optional red pepper flakes. Finish with fresh parsley for a restaurant-quality dish that’s perfect for weeknights or casual gatherings.

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 5 large fresh tomatoes, chopped
• 1 medium carrot, finely diced
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion to the skillet and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the chopped tomatoes, carrot, zucchini, and red bell pepper to the skillet.

Step 5

Cook the vegetables for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they soften and the tomatoes release their juices.

Step 6

Stir in the balsamic vinegar, sugar, dried basil, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Step 8

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed, adding more salt or black pepper to your preference.

Step 9

Remove the sauce from the heat and garnish with fresh parsley.

Step 10

Serve warm over your favorite pasta, and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1123.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	551.4

Total Fat 30.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2454.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 65.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.2g	0%
Total Sugars 38.9g
Protein 11.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 195.3mg	0%
Iron 5.1mg	0%
Potassium 2585.4mg	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: 47.4%

Protein: 7.7%

Carbs: 44.9%