Coming from a city where we didn’t own a car to one where everyone has and uses one, some adjustments have been made. Where before I could simply throw Fiona in a sling, Hugo in the stroller and walk 2 blocks to the grocery store for dinner fixins, now I have to plan better. We’ve been pretty good, like big grocery store trips on the weekends and meal planning, but then there’s that day you realize you have nothing in mind and it’s dinner time. Getting the kids in the car to run to the grocery store for a few ingredients is just too much work: (change Fiona’s diaper, get Hugo to sit on the potty, both into car seats, both out of car seats and Fiona into a sling- Hugo into the cart etc. nothing easy about it!) Anyway- this day was last week. I had some turkey in the freezer and a bunch of random vegetables in the fridge, but no time to make something fancy and I wanted something Hugo would eat without a fight. As a result this pasta sauce was born and it was fabulous and I just had to share it with you!
Two things to point out. 1- This entire recipe from start to finish took 20 minutes max. 2- This sauce contains a handful of kale, half a red pepper, a zucchini, and 4 gorgeous greenmarket tomatoes. Hugo gobbled it up and I was so proud of making something that had so much good stuff in it! I simply threw everything plus onion & garlic into the food processor. Blended it all up, sautéed it with some olive oil until simmering, added some salt, pepper, a little tomato paste and parmesan cheese, boiled some pasta and dinner was done. Easy, healthy, and really so good! The veggies could definitely be subbed out with whatever you have on hand. I’m sure spinach, broccoli, or carrots would all work well. I’m sure I’ll be experimenting with different combos in the future as this meal has become a staple for sure. (Oh and if pasta isn’t your thing, I made Andy’s over riced cauliflower and he loved that too!)
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 small onion
- 4 medium-sized tomatoes, or 3 larger ones (doesn't have to be precise)
- ½ a red pepper
- 1 medium sized zucchini
- 1 handful of kale
- 16 oz ground turkey, thawed
- 1 tablespoon of tomato paste (optional)*
- grated parmesan cheese for topping
- Add all the veggies, onion & garlic to the bowl of your food processor. (Do this in 2 batches if needed.)
- Pulse until finely chopped.
- Add 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil to a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Brown the turkey meat until cooked through.
- Add the sauce from the food processor and stir in the tomato paste. Simmer for 10 minutes, adding salt and pepper to taste.
- Top with grated parmesan cheese. Serve over pasta or other starch of choice.
Katie C. says
Psst … You forgot the ground turkey in the directions …
Audra says
Thank you!!!
Cara says
As much as I love your dessert recipes, I don’t have a ton of time for baking, so I always get excited when you post savory recipes because they are always delicious and become staples! Can’t wait to try this :)
Audra says
Thanks Cara! We all need to eat dinner right!?
Cara says
Yes and this was excellent, Audra! Made it tonight over cauliflower rice (another great idea) and it was delicious! Keep the savory recipes coming. Your cheesy Mexican skillet casserole is made often and my friends always love when I make it/ have leftovers :)
Joanne Bruno says
Totally NOT the same thing, but now that we don’t live across the street from Whole Foods AND I’m back at work, I’ve been having to be way stricter about menu planning. It’s kind of a pain, but also kind of fun. Except on nights when there is NOTHING in our fridge lol. Looks like you did an awesome job with what you had!