3 Healthy and Easy Recipes with Tomato Sauce

These 3 healthy and easy tomato sauce recipes will help you explore new ways to use this ingredient in dishes other than traditional pasta and pizza. Best of all, they don't take long to make.

Recipes with tomato sauce, at least in my house, are usually reserved only for special days. I don't like the taste of canned food at all and prefer to make my own sauce the traditional way: with fresh crushed tomatoes seasoned with olive oil, garlic, onion and spices. I think it’s better to take a little more time to cook than to give my children a highly processed, overly salted product with that canned-food taste.

So I was pleasantly surprised by a premium brand of tomato sauce that promised to be made from fresh, high quality products with a base of vine tomatoes (sweet and juicy, perfect for soups and sauces), extra virgin olive oil, onion, garlic and fresh basil. Its name is Jar Goods, and the truth is that I was captivated since I read on the product label that it was free of preservatives, artificial flavors and colors. It is also certified as a "Non-GMO" product (without genetically modified organisms).

I must confess that, although I initially doubted that this product would meet my expectations (since I'm super anti-canned food), as soon as I tried it, it became the star ingredient in my kitchen. It really tastes as if I had prepared the sauce myself at home! The next step was to try out some of the recipes recommended on the product’s website. I discovered three that I liked for their originality, ease of preparation and healthiness.
Here I share these 3 healthy and easy tomato sauce recipes:

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER STEAKS

This recipe is the perfect accompaniment to a main dish, as it is light and very healthy. Ideal for vegetable lovers.

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 bunch of cauliflower
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup of Classic Red Tomato Sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 roasted pine nuts
1/4 of currants, steeped in water (if you don't have any, you can use dried cranberries)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Procedure:

Preheat the oven to 425 F and place in a baking dish on a sheet of baking paper.

Carefully fillet the cauliflower into slices about 1/2 inch thick. Use a kitchen brush to brush each with tomato sauce.

Repeat this procedure, adding olive oil. Season with pepper and salt. Turn all the cauliflower steaks over and repeat this procedure.

Place the mixture in the oven for 40 minutes until golden brown. Take out the pan, turn the mixture over and let it bake for 10 more minutes until it is roasted and the cauliflower is tender.

Roast the pine nuts beforehand and have them ready to decorate the mixture. When the dish is ready to serve, garnish with the pine nuts, currants and parsley.

Enjoy!

ZUCCHINI SANDWICH

This recipe is perfect if you are looking for a healthy snack with lots of nutrients.

Ingredients:

1 zucchini, diced
1 cup of mushrooms of your choice cut into cubes
1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
1 pinch of thyme, salt and pepper
Sandwich bread of your choice
1 container of Classic Red, Classic Spicy or Classic Vodka tomato sauce.
Feta, Parmesan or goat cheese to top.
Preparation:

Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the zucchini and sauté until soft. Add the mushrooms and let them fry. Season with salt, pepper and dried thyme.

Add your choice of tomato sauce and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes.

Remove the skillet with the mixture from the stove and then place on a halved loaf of bread.

Add the fresh cheese of your choice for the finishing touch.

Enjoy!

SHRIMP STIR FRY

If you love pasta but are tired of always making the same thing, this is a great option when you've run out of ideas. The taste is amazing!

Serves 4

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons canola oil
1 tablespoon chopped ginger
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 pinch of salt
1 pound long, peeled shrimp
1 pound soba noodles
1 cup Chinese peas
1 cup broccoli
1 container Vegan Vodka tomato sauce
1 lime
2 sprigs of scallion, chopped for garnish
1/2 cup chopped cashews (optional)

Preparation:

In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil. Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain pasta and set aside. In a large skillet, place canola oil over medium-high heat, add the tablespoon of chopped ginger and garlic, and allow to season for about 1-2 minutes. Add the shrimp and sauté until they turn pink, about 4-5 minutes. Add the Chinese peas and sauté for 1-2 minutes. Repeat this last step when you add the broccoli. Reduce heat to low and add 1 1/2 cups Vegan Vodka Tomato Sauce. Add salt to taste.

Once the sauce has the desired flavor, add the noodles and add more sauce if necessary to cover all the pasta.

Cut the lime in four and add the juice from one piece. Place the pasta on a plate and garnish on top with the chives and chopped cashews.

Ready!

Note: Jar Goods brand has 4 varieties of tomato sauces (Classic Red, Classic Spicy, Vegan Vodka and Classic Vodka). If you are cooking for your kids, I recommend you exclude the Classic Spicy Tomato Sauce because it has quite a bite! The rest passed the test with my kids.

*This article is not sponsored. I received the products to try them and decided to write about them, because I really liked them. 🙂

I hope you like these recipes and that they get you out of a jam when you don't know what healthy dish to prepare! I loved them!