Creamy Marinara with Hidden Veggies

Ingredients

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

½ onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, sliced

2 carrots, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 cup pumpkin puree

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tbsp tomato paste

1 28-ounce can no-salt-added plum tomatoes, undrained

1 cup Else prepared  with 1 cup water + 4 scoops Else

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a skillet. Add onion and saute until just softened, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and saute till fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes more.
2. Add carrots and pepper and saute another 4 minutes.
3. Add pumpkin puree, basil, oregano, tomato paste, and canned tomatoes. Lightly break up the canned tomatoes with a spoon. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
4. Working in batches, transfer sauce to blender and blend until smooth. Pour sauce back into the skillet set over medium-low heat, stir in the prepared Else, and heat a few minutes more.
5. Serve over your child’s favorite freshly cooked pasta. 

Note: For meat sauce, add browned ground beef or turkey to the sauce after pureeing.

Nutrition Information

Per 4-ounce serving (sauce only):

Calories: 144

Fat: 6 grams

Saturated Fat: Less than 1 gram

Cholesterol: 0

Sodium: 50 grams

Carbohydrate: 18 grams

Fiber: 5 grams

Total Sugar: 8 grams

Added Sugar: Less than 1 gram

Protein: 3 grams