Kittencals Marinara Pasta Sauce Vegetarian Recipes

VEGETARIAN MARINARA SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large frying pan, heat olive oil; add garlic, onions and saute' until onions are transparent, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Add diced sweet red pepper, diced green pepper and saute' for an additional 1 minute.
• Transfer mixture to a large heavy bottom cooking pot.
• Add diced carrots, canned mushrooms (including liquid), tomatoes (including liquid), tomato paste, oregano, dried basil, fresh basil, spicy Italian seasoning, bay leaves, celery, sugar, salt and black pepper Bring sauce to boil; reduce heat and simmer, partially covered for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Sauce should be smooth when cooked.
• Adjust seasonings to taste.
• Remove bay leaves and discard.
• Serve sauce over pasta or pasta with saute'ed fresh vegetables, chicken or veal.
• This sauce may be canned while it is hot.
• Follow canning instructions carefully.
• It also freezes well in plastic containers.
• If you desire a meat sauce, add 1 1/2 pounds of extra lean ground round; firstly fry ground round for about 5 minutes, discard any fat and add to sauce just after the tomatoes.

KITTENCAL'S SPINACH & FOUR-CHEESE MANICOTTI (VEGETARIAN)

Steps:

• Set oven to 350 degrees F.
• Butter a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
• In a skillet, saute onion (if using) in oil for about 4 minutes or until softened (adding in the garlic the last 2 minutes).
• In a mixing bowl combine the ricotta cheese, 1-1/2 cup mozza cheese, cream cheese, 6 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning; beat with a wooden spoon until smooth and well combined.
• Season with white salt or seasoned salt and black pepper to taste.
• Stir in onion mixture and spinach; mix well to combine.
• Spoon into cooked and cooled manicotti shells.
• Pour half of the pasta sauce into the prepared baking dish.
• Arrange shells over sauce (at this point you may cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours, or continue with the recipe as follows).
• Top with the remaining sauce, use a spoon to spread the sauce over the shells (the sauce does not have to cover the shells completely).
• Sprinkle about 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (or to taste) over the sauce.
• Cover and bake for 25 minutes.
• Uncover and top with mozzeralla cheese (any amount desired).
• Bake 5 mins longer, or until cheese is melted.
• Let stand 10 mins before serving.
• Note; If desired the spinach can be omitted completely.

KITTENCAL'S ITALIAN TOMATO PASTA SAUCE AND PARMESAN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Prepare the meatball recipe as directed on the recipe; transfer to a plate cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use (the meatballs may be prepared up to 1 day in advance).
• Drain the diced tomatoes over a strainer.
• Coat bottom of large heavy-bottomed pot with olive oil, heat over medium heat.
• Saute onion with bay leaf, oregano, basil, salt, black pepper and crushed chili peppers for about 5-7 minutes or until the onions are transparent.
• Add in fresh garlic; cook stirring for 2 minutes.
• Add the tomato paste;mix and stir for about 2 minutes or until well combined with the onion mixture.
• Add in the wine; stir well to combine.
• Add the 2 cans crushed tomatoes (can use 3 cans if you are freezing some sauce) and the drained diced tomatoes, stir and bring to a light boil; boil for 5-8 minutes then reduce heat to low.
• Add in uncooked meatballs to the sauce (if you are adding the meatballs uncooked do not stir for 30 minutes or you may run the risk of them falling apart in the simmering sauce).
• Simmer uncovered on low heat for about 3-5 hours (the longer you simmer uncovered the thicker and richer your sauce will be so don't be afraid to simmer even 6 hours!) adding more salt if desired.
• Skim off any fat that might gather on top of sauce.
• Allow to cool to room temperature then refrigerate (with the meatballs in the sauce) a minimum of 1 day or up to 4 days before using.
• Use as much as desired then freeze the rest for another meal, just reheat the sauce on top of the stove or heat in microwave (this will freeze well for up to 6 months).
• Note: if desired, you can bake the meatballs in the oven before adding to the sauce.

KITTENCAL'S DELICIOUS MEATY PASTA SAUCE

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven heat oil, then add in the basil, oregano, chili flakes, bay leaf and onion; saute, stirring with a wooden spoon for about 4 minutes (this will release the flavors in the spices).
• Add in garlic and cook for 2 minutes.
• Add in tomato paste and cook stirring with a wooden spoon for 2 minutes.
• Add in ground beef and sausage meat; cook until well browned (about 10 minutes) drain any fat.
• Add in the wine and simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring.
• Add in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, mushrooms, sugar, 2 tablespoons salt, Worcestershire sauce; bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer partially covered for about 2 hours (or you can simmer for longer on low heat).
• Season with black pepper.
• Remove the bay leaf and serve over hot cooked pasta then sprinkle with lots grated Parmesan cheese.