This budget-friendly spaghetti sauce is a delicious way to make your meal more nutritious and satisfying while using up leftovers. Enjoy your meal! 😋🍝
Adding red pepper, zucchini, and onion to your spaghetti sauce is a great way to stretch the sauce and add extra flavor and nutrition. Here’s a simple recipe for your upgraded spaghetti sauce:
Ingredients:
– 1 pound ground meat (beef, turkey, or your choice)
– 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
– 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes with basil and oregano
– 1/2 jar of leftover spaghetti sauce (about 1 cup)
– 1 red bell pepper, diced
– 1 medium-sized zucchini, diced
– 1 onion, finely chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Cooked spaghetti or your preferred pasta
– Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
– Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
1. Sauté the Vegetables:
– Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
– Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, sauté for 2-3 minutes until they become translucent and fragrant.
– Add the diced red bell pepper and zucchini to the skillet and sauté for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until they start to soften.
2. Brown the Meat:
– Push the sautéed vegetables to the side of the skillet, making room for the ground meat.
– Add the ground meat to the skillet and cook until it’s browned and cooked through, breaking it into smaller pieces with a spatula as it cooks.
3. Combine Sauces:
– Once the meat is browned, pour in the can of tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with basil and oregano, and the leftover spaghetti sauce. Stir everything together.
– Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Stir occasionally.
4. Season and Serve:
– Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
– Serve the sauce over cooked spaghetti or your preferred pasta.
– Optionally, garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil or parsley for extra flavor and freshness.
