Winner Dinner Vegetarian Pasta

This is one of those throw-together dinners that is tasty, simple and healthy (the sacred trilogy of family dinners!). You can improvise and sub-out ingredients for others depending on what you have at home on any given day so it’s a great way to avoid food waste and use up the last bits of things before a shop.

Ingredients

3 shallots

3 cloves crushed garlic  (or you can use a good quality garlic powder like this one)

1-2 carrots

1 stick celery

500 ml passata (use bottles or jars for low-tox & low-plastic option)

3 sprigs thyme

1 Handful basil

1 tablespoon maple syrup

1 cup pasta (I use gluten free)

2 tablespoons of butter/ghee/olive oil or any combination of those
(Note, the amount will vary depending on whether you’re using a non-stick pan)

Method

Crush or finely chop your garlic cloves, thinly slice the shallots and celery, grate the carrot finely and separate all leaves and stems of the herbs. Keep the basil stems and finely chop those before starting to cook.

Warm up the frypan or large pot over a low to medium heat, preferably use a pan or pot with a thick bottom. Add some of your preferred greasing option and heat a little, then add your shallots, garlic (if using fresh) and basil stems.  Sauté (or lightly fry) these until they are soft and clearer without browning, stirring occasionally. Add the celery, thyme and carrots and lightly fry these until they begin to cook.

Add passata, maybe an extra 1/2 a cup of water if needed to lighten the consistency of the sauce, then the garlic powder (if using) and the maple syrup to take the acidic edge off the tomato sauce. Mix thoroughly and leave on a low simmer.

Cook pasta according to packet instructions.

Once pasta is cooked remove it from the water and place in the pot that the sauce is in and combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper if desired.

Serve with basil leaves chopped or ripped apart.

Alena // Soul Mamma is a writer, educator, ethical digital creator and mum of three little darlings doing this compassionate care stuff in Freshwater near Sydney, Australia. You can join her and bumble through this parenting malarkey together with other lovely souls in the Soul Mamma Crew.