Introduction: What happens when two beloved dishes, pizza and pasta, come together in one flavorful creation? The result is a delightful marriage of flavors that will satisfy all your comfort food cravings. In this blog post, we will guide you through a scrumptious pizza pasta sauce recipe that combines the essence of pizza with the versatility of pasta. Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure that will leave you wanting seconds!
Ingredients: To prepare this pizza pasta sauce, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: red pepper flakes for added heat
Instructions:
- Sauté the Garlic: In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, or until fragrant. Be careful not to let it brown.
- Add the Tomato Paste: Add the tomato paste to the saucepan and stir it into the sautéed garlic. Cook for about 1-2 minutes, allowing the tomato paste to slightly darken in color and develop a richer flavor.
- Incorporate the Crushed Tomatoes: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir well to combine with the garlic and tomato paste mixture. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Season the Sauce: Add the dried oregano, dried basil, sugar, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes (if desired) to the saucepan. Stir to incorporate the seasonings evenly throughout the sauce. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Adjust the Consistency: If you prefer a thicker sauce, continue to simmer for a few more minutes until it reaches the desired consistency. Alternatively, if you prefer a thinner sauce, you can add a small amount of water or broth to achieve the desired thickness.
- Serve and Enjoy: Your homemade pizza pasta sauce is now ready to be enjoyed! Cook your favorite pasta according to the package instructions and drain it well. Toss the pasta with a generous amount of the pizza sauce, ensuring every strand is coated in the flavorful goodness. Serve it hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Variations and Tips:
- Customizing the Flavors: Feel free to experiment with additional ingredients to personalize the sauce to your taste. You can add chopped onions, sliced mushrooms, diced bell peppers, or any other pizza toppings you love to enhance the flavors.
- Boosting the Umami: For a richer and more savory taste, you can add a tablespoon of tomato paste or a splash of balsamic vinegar to deepen the umami notes in the sauce.
- Make it Creamy: If you prefer a creamy pizza pasta sauce, you can stir in a couple of tablespoons of heavy cream or cream cheese at the end of cooking. This will give the sauce a luscious and velvety texture.
- Storage and Shelf Life: Store any leftover pizza pasta sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 5 days. Alternatively, you can freeze the sauce in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.
Conclusion: The combination of pizza and pasta is a match made in culinary heaven. With this pizza pasta sauce recipe, you