My kids are just like any other kids – they love the red sauce.
For yesterday’s ridiculously good lunches for kids, I decided to make them some spaghetti. As I usually do, I use what I have in my pantry and fridge to whip up a quick and easy nourishing lunch.
With a quick glance in the fridge I decided to brown some ground pork and saute some kale and baby portobello mushrooms (loaded with vitamin d) with garlic to add in the spaghetti. As I was about to start on the sauce, I kind of chuckled to myself thinking, “yeah, a homemade organic spaghetti sauce for just over $1.”
You know moms, that giddy feeling you get when you save money on incredibly good food.
These are the kind of tips I plan on sharing with all of you that subscribe to my menu plan starting next Tuesday. My day to day food choices. How I prepare them and how I save money on the best for my family.
So what’s my secret, how do I make my own simple, homemade organic spaghetti or pizza sauce for $1 plus change?
Organic Tomato Paste
It’s so simple. I use a 6oz can of Muir Glen Organic Tomato Paste.
Tomato Paste are tomatoes that have been cooked for several hours and then reduced. It’s highly concentrated with an incredible depth of flavor. Since it’s a paste, it thickens sauces as well.
A can of Muir Glen Organic Tomato Paste can cost you .89 to $1.24. However, you can find Muir Glen coupons all the time! Whole Foods currently has a coupon for $1.00 off any two Muir Glen products. Clip it and use it anywhere.
Pre-jarred organic spaghetti and pizza sauces can run you anywhere from $3.00 – $8.00. From all of the brands that I have ever looked at, there are only a couple I would buy. Many of the organic brands include added sugar and soy oil. From the sauces I’ve used, really, they all taste the same.
They’re nothing compared to a homemade bolognese that’s been cooked and simmered for many hours.
So in my opinion, if I’m looking for a quick organic spaghetti or pizza sauce, I may as well make my own using tomato paste that taste just as good or better than any jar.
The kids love it and I feel great serving it to them!
A quick and simple organic spaghetti sauce that taste just as great or better than any jar.
Ingredients:
- 1 6oz can, Organic Muir Glen Tomato Paste
- 3 filled cans of water (using the tomato paste can)
- 3 tbls extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbls dried basil
- 1 teaspoon onion salt, from the makers of Real Salt - substitute plain salt
- 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
Method:
- In a sauce pan, add all ingredients. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15-20 minutes.
Make It Your Own
You can add any ingredient that you would like to in your sauce. You can add finely chopped carrots, celery or a different blends of spices. Whatever you have on hand, give it a try.
I’m sure the results will be fabulous.
I’m excited to start sharing more of my everyday tips and meals with you at Spain in Iowa’s Traditional Menu Plan On a Budget website. Remember, registration opens next Tuesday! I hope to see many of you there.
Do you have a favorite tip you’d like to share with us? Feel free to in the comments below.
I have never tried sauce with paste and water, what a great idea! I love to make my own sauce, but I have a lot of concerns with the canned tomatoes. I don’t like buying the jarred sauces. I just don’t know if it’s worse to get the processed ones or take my chances with the cans. I know Muir Glen stopped using BPA, but I still have my doubts as to the safety of their replacement liners. I’ve been kind of flip-flopping for a while. I use Pomi sometimes, but they are (A LOT!) more expensive.
I love your blog and just recently found it! I have a bunch of these little Muir Glen tomato paste cans and I’ve used them for lasagna but that’s about it. Genius to use them for sauce! Will try it next week for lunch. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by and leaving me a comment deb! Have a great week ahead 😉
(O_O)
I cannot even begin to describe how happy you just made me!
Well that makes me happy, Amy!! Have a great week!
Made some last night and stayed true to the recipe. I haven’t tasted it, yet (we are having it on homemade pizza tonight), but it smelled fantastic! (^_^)
Made it today and added one diced tomato, one diced bell pepper, one shredded carrot, and sliced mushrooms. Yummy!!
Ooh, Glen Muir is the brand I buy. I already use 1 can tomato sauce & 1 can of tomato paste with 1 1/2 tsp granulated garlic, 1 tbsp oregano & 1 tsp paprika (normal American) for pizza sauce. (I recently added 1 tsp sugar to counteract the acid content.) But I am anxious to try your recipe.
Off hand do you know the equivalent for granulated garlic? Also, how do you deal with fresh garlic so it’s not a pain?
I’ll definitely try this! I haven’t liked the homemade sauces I’ve tried to make recently.
Wonderful recipe. Question is: I like chunky. To your list of ingredients, how many tomatoes could I add without making the sauce too runny? I would imagine removing the seeds and ‘goo’ and just use the flesh, in large chunks. Would you agree? I also want to make this in large quantities for canning. I grow my own tomatoes. Hope you have some great advise for me. God bless you in Jesus’ name, Diana. Thank you. Ray
Hi Raymond, it depends on the variety of tomato. If you’re looking for a thicker sauce, I would use room’s and cook them for a longer period of time. Hope that helps!