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    Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Sauces

    Slow Cooker Hidden Vegetable Pasta Sauce

    Published: Jan 2, 2019 · Modified: Feb 28, 2022 by Dannii · This post may contain affiliate links · 56 Comments

    676 shares
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    Jump to Recipe
    Diet: Gluten Free / Low Carb / Low Fat / Vegan

    It can be difficult for most of us to get enough vegetables in to our diet, but it's even harder if you don't like vegetables at all. This slow cooker hidden vegetable pasta sauce has the vegetables all blended up in to it, so you won't even know there are there. 5 different vegetables, easy to adapt, vegan, and freezes well too.

    Two plates of pasta in sauce on a wooden surface.

    When it comes to pasta sauces, I am a firm believer in low and slow. It allows all the flavours to really fuse together and putting it in the slow cooker means you don't have to keep a an eye on it like on the hob. Or have the sauce splattering up your cabinets.

    You can have this vegetable pasta sauce bubbling away in your slow cooker and then when you get home all you have to do is put some pasta on and blend up the sauce to stir through. Simple comfort food that is packed full of vegetables.

    If you are looking for some other pasta recipes to try, then why not try our Greek Pasta Salad, 10 Minute Cream Cheese Pasta, Marmite Pasta or Smoked Salmon Pasta.

    Jump to:
    • Why you will love it
    • Ingredients needed
    • How to cook Vegetable Pasta Sauce - Step by step
    • Why hide vegetables in a sauce?
    • Variations
    • Storage
    • Vegetarian slow cooker recipes
    • FAQs
    • Extra tips
    • More slow cooker recipes
    • Recipe
    • Feedback

    Why you will love it

    • Veggie packed - We have put 5 different vegetables into this pasta sauce, but you would never know as it is all blended up and hidden.
    • Easy to adapt - Got other vegetables in your fridge that need using up? This is a great recipe to put them in and make sure that nothing goes to waste.
    • Vegan - Although you can add some cheese on top of the vegetable pasta sauce if you want, the sauce itself is totally vegan.
    • Freezes well - This vegetable pasta sauce freezes SO well, so make sure to make a big batch to keep in the freezer for quick and easy meals.
    • Kids love it - My kids think they are having pasta with a plain tomato sauce, so they love it. I love knowing they are getting lots of vegetables.
    • No added sugar like store bought pasta sauces - The best thing about homemade pasta sauces is that you can control exactly what goes in to them. No need to add any salt and you can add just a little pinch of salt if you want to, or just leave it out.

    Ingredients needed

    All the ingredients needed for this recipe with text overlay labels.
    • Aubergine - You can use a large aubergine, or even a few baby aubergines. These do give the sauce a little bitterness, so leave them out if you don't like that.
    • Bell pepper - We used a red and yellow bell pepper, but orange and green work well too.
    • Courgettes - This vegetable pasta sauce is a great way to use up a glut of courgettes if you have them growing in your garden. Yellow or green courgettes work.
    • Carrot - Although this is a root vegetable, the long cooking time will make them nice and soft and easy to blend.
    • Leek - This makes a nice change from using onion, although you could swap it for onions or shallots if you prefer.
    • Garlic - Save yourself some time by using a teaspoon of lazy garlic.
    • Chopped tomatoes - try to use the best quality tinned tomatoes that you can find, as you will taste the difference. Cheap tinned tomatoes can be really watery, and you don't want that for the sauce.
    • Balsamic vinegar - just like the tomatoes, a really good quality balsamic is important, as it will have more of an intense flavour.
    • Vegetable stock - you can use chicken or mushroom stock instead.
    • Dried herbs - we used dried oregano, however you could use a mixture of oregano, basil and thyme.

    A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

    How to cook Vegetable Pasta Sauce - Step by step

    One: Put all of the vegetables into a food processor using the chopping attachment and chop them up. You can chop by hand, but a food processor will save you time.

    Chopped vegetables in a food processor.

    Two: Put all of the the chopped vegetables, tomatoes, garlic, balsamic, stock, oregano, salt and pepper into your slow cooker bowl and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours.

    Slow cooker bowl containing chopped vegetables and tomato sauce.

    Three: Leave the sauce to cool and then pour it into food processor in small batches and blend the sauce until smooth, or leave chunks if you prefer.

    A food processor containing a blended tomato sauce.

    Four: Mix the sauce into the cooked pasta and serve with rocket and shaved Parmesan.

    Pasta, in Slow Cooker Vegetable Pasta Sauce, topped with arugula and parmesan.

    Why hide vegetables in a sauce?

    Whilst I am a firm believer in also serving vegetables whole (or chopped in the manageable sizes), instead of just blended, to continually expose more fussy eaters to foods they don't love, hidden vegetable dishes have so many benefits. Hidden vegetable pasta sauces like this can give a meal a really nutrition boost, if all the veggies on the side get picked around.

    It's so important to still serve vegetables on the side, and encourage kids (or even fussy adults) to try new things. But, if you know they are going to avoid it, and you want them to have a nutritious meal, then sauces like this can save your sanity as a parent and avoid any food battles. For some parents, these kind of sauces are the only way to get vegetables in to kid's diets.

    Variations

    The best thing about this recipe (apart from how easy it is in the slow cooker) is that you can adapt it to suit your tastes, the season, or whatever you have in the fridge that needs using up.

    We went with aubergine, peppers, carrots, mushrooms, courgette and leeks, but you could use some of them, none of them or all of them. Get creative and use different vegetables every time.

    Other options when it comes to vegetables are:

    • Broccoli
    • Sweetcorn
    • Asparagus
    • Green beans
    • Cauliflower
    • Cabbage
    • Sprouts
    • Kale
    • Spinach
    • Butternut squash
    A white plate with pasta, rocket and cheese.

    Storage

    Store: You can keep this hidden vegetable pasta sauce in the fridge for up to 3 days to use on various pasta dishes.

    Freeze: This sauce freezes really well. Just make sure that it has totally cooled down first and then portion it out in to freezer bags and then you can lay them flat in the freezer to save space. They will keep for up to 3 months.

    Defrost: Allow the to defrost thoroughly in the fridge. It should take a few hours.

    Reheat: You can heat through the sauce in a pan or the microwave.

    Vegetarian slow cooker recipes

    People usually think about meat when it comes to slow cookers, but we are here to show that there are so many vegetarian dishes you can do in it too. And delicious ones too!

    Our new book, The Healthy Slow Cooker, has over 50 vegetarian slow cooker recipes in it, like Creamy Mushroom Stroganoff, Butternut Squash Risotto, Lentil Ragu and Greek Potatoes.

    That's right, we have a new book out! The Healthy Slow Cooker has 100 delicious slow cooker recipes in it (over half are vegetarian) that will show you how to get so much more out of your slow cooker than just stews. There are breakfasts, side dishes, desserts and drinks.

    Click here to order your copy of The Healthy Slow Cooker.

    The Hungry Healthy Happy book cover.

    FAQs

    What to serve hidden vegetable pasta sauce with.

    This sauce goes perfectly with pasta. We like to use spaghetti, tagliatelle or pappardelle, as a thick pasta allows for the sauce to really cling to it. It makes a great pizza sauce too.
    You can use this sauce to replace the marinara in a spaghetti bolognese or lasagna to give it a vegetable boost too. Sometimes we stir it in to rice for the kids if we want to give it a veggie boost.
    If you didn't want to have just vegetables, then you could top it with some grilled chicken or salmon before serving. You don't have to use this for pasta either, you could stir it through rice or put it on top of a baked potato.

    How to make roasted vegetable pasta sauce.

    If you don't want to cook this in a slow cooker, then you could roast up the vegetables and cook the sauce on the hob. Add all your chopped vegetables to a large baking tray (you may need to use two trays if the veg is too close together) and drizzle with oil and mix well. Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C/400°F/Gas 6 for 40 minutes. Then add the vegetables to a large pan with the rest of the ingredients and simmer for 20 minutes and then blend.

    Is vegetable pasta sauce vegan?

    This recipe is naturally vegan, just make sure you use a vegan alternative if you are going to top it with cheese.

    Is it suitable for kids?

    This is a great recipe for kids, and to get more vegetables in to their diet. We have served this to our kids from 6 months as a pasta sauce, pizza topping and even a chunky soup. Just make sure that you leave the salt out and use a reduced salt stock or swap it for water.

    How can you make vegetable pasta sauce creamy?

    If you want a creamy vegetable pasta sauce, then you could add some cream cheese to it just before serving.

    Is vegetable pasta sauce gluten free?

    Yes, as long as you use gluten free stock and make sure there is no cross contamination, then this is gluten free.

    heart icon

    Extra tips

    • Get creative and use a selection of different vegetables based on personal preference, season or what you have in the fridge.
    • You can use a stick blender, jug blender or food processor to blend this. If putting in a jug blender or food processor, make sure it is cooled first, as hot sauce can cause it to explode. You may need to blend it in batches, depending on how big your jug is.
    • If you don't want just vegetables, then top the dish with grilled chicken or salmon before serving.
    • This sauce would go well with rice or on a baked potato too.
    • If making this for kids, use reduced salt stock (or just water) and don't add any extra salt. There will be enough flavour from the vegetables, that it won't miss the salt.
    • If you don't need a lot of sauce, or don't want to freeze the leftovers, then you can halve this recipe.

    More slow cooker recipes

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      Slow Cooker Beef Goulash
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      Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

    If you’ve tried this slow cooker pasta sauce, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
    Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

    Recipe

    Slow Cooker Hidden Vegetable Pasta Sauce mixed into pasta.

    Slow Cooker Hidden Vegetable Pasta Sauce

    By: Dannii
    This slow cooker hidden vegetable pasta sauce has the vegetables all blended up in to it, so you won't even know there are there.
    A circular logo saying GF.
    Gluten Free
    The words low carb in a white circle.
    Low Carb
    the words low fat in a white circle.
    Low Fat
    An illustration of a v-shaped plant in a pot.
    Vegan
    4.82 from 49 votes
    Pin Print Save recipe Recipe saved!
    Course: Sauce/Spread
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep: 5 mins
    Cook: 4 hrs
    Total: 4 hrs 5 mins
    Servings: 8 portions
    Calories: 74kcal
    Allergens:
    An illustration of two ears of wheat.
    Gluten
    An illustration of a wine glass.
    Sulphites
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 1 Aubergine (eggplant) - small; diced
    • 2 Bell peppers - diced
    • 2 Carrot - diced
    • 1 Courgette (zucchini) - diced
    • 1 Leek - sliced
    • 4 Garlic clove - crushed
    • 800 g (1.75 lb) Chopped tomatoes - canned
    • 6 tablespoon (6 tablespoon) Balsamic vinegar
    • 200 ml (0.75 cups) Vegetable stock
    • 2 tablespoon Dried oregano
    • 1 pinch (1 pinch) Sea salt and black pepper

    To serve

    • Rocket (arugula) - (optional)
    • Parmesan (shaved) - (optional)

    Instructions

    • Put 1 Aubergine (eggplant), 2 Bell peppers, 2 Carrot, 1 Courgette (zucchini), and 1 Leek into a food processor using the chopping attachment and chop them up. You can chop by hand, but a food processor will save you time.
    • Put all of the the chopped vegetables, 800 g Chopped tomatoes, 4 Garlic clove (crushed), 6 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar, 200 ml Vegetable stock, 2 tablespoon Dried oregano and 1 pinch Sea salt and black pepper into your slow cooker bowl and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours.
    • Leave the sauce to cool and then pour it into food processor in small batches and blend the sauce until smooth, or leave chunks if you prefer.
    • Mix the sauce into cooked pasta and serve with Rocket (arugula) and Parmesan (shaved).

    Notes

    • Get creative and use a selection of different vegetables based on personal preference, season or what you have in the fridge.
    • You can use a stick blender, jug blender or food processor to blend this. If putting in a jug blender or food processor, make sure it is cooled first, as hot sauce can cause it to explode. You may need to blend it in batches, depending on how big your jug is.
    • If you don't want just vegetables, then top the dish with grilled chicken or salmon before serving.
    • This sauce would go well with rice or on a baked potato too.
    • If making this for kids, use reduced salt stock (or just water) and don't add any extra salt. There will be enough flavour from the vegetables, that it won't miss the salt.
    • If you don't need a lot of sauce, or don't want to freeze the leftovers, then you can halve this recipe.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1portion | Calories: 74kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.05g | Sodium: 263mg | Potassium: 550mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 3918IU | Vitamin C: 56mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 2mg
    DisclaimerThe nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Charlotte

      March 15, 2023 at 2:49 am

      3 stars
      This was pretty tasty but can the recipe be written a bit better please. You say put all ingredients in the food processor but do you mean all the vegetables only? I assume not the pasta. Then the next line says again put all ingredients including the veggies but not the pasta and Parmesan etc, maybe easier to just say which ingredients… if I had followed the first step then I would have processed everything already?

      Reply
      • Dannii

        March 15, 2023 at 8:16 am

        Thanks for the feedback. That is an error in the recipe card and we will get that changed. I am glad you enjoyed the recipe.

        Reply
    2. Scarlett C

      September 09, 2022 at 6:54 pm

      5 stars
      My husband who hates veggies got seconds. He wants to make lasagna with the sauce tonight.

      Reply
      • Dannii

        September 10, 2022 at 9:34 am

        Ooh using it for a lasagna sounds delicious.

        Reply
    3. sarah smith

      February 07, 2016 at 8:41 pm

      very simple and delicious meal!
      loved by all the family.Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Dannii

        February 08, 2016 at 9:36 am

        I am glad everyone enjoyed it. Thanks for coming back and letting me know.

        Reply
    4. Lisca

      January 13, 2016 at 4:15 pm

      That sounds really scrummy. I plan to make that tomorrow. If I keep the amount of pasta to a minimum and have lashings of that lovely sauce, it will help me lose weight too.

      Reply
    5. Nayna Kanabar

      January 12, 2016 at 8:25 pm

      5 stars
      This pasta looks absolutely wonderful and delicious I like all the hidden vegetables in it.

      Reply
    6. Vineetha @ Mint and Mimosas

      January 12, 2016 at 7:17 pm

      5 stars
      This is a wonderful recipe for bulking up a pasta dish with veggies, and I love the idea of adding in arugula - such a great layer of spicy flavor!

      Reply
    7. Katie Bryson

      January 12, 2016 at 12:38 pm

      Wonderful recipe Dannii - love my slow cooker too, it's just the business at this time of year isn't it. I hope you're enjoying your trip in Iceland and well done on all your amazing achievements too, you're totally rocking the scene!!! xxx

      Reply
    8. [email protected]

      January 12, 2016 at 10:54 am

      5 stars
      Good for you for not doing a January detox. I think just eating normally and sensibly with recipes like this is all you need. And I loved seeing your pix from your Iceland trip - such fun! My daughter went on a school trip there and is wanting to go back there with me. Must do that before she changes her mind!

      Reply
    9. Elizabeth

      January 12, 2016 at 10:44 am

      5 stars
      Mmm loving the sound of this! We hide veggies in our pasta sauces too, for the kids, but nothing like this. Pinned to try later!

      Reply
    10. Leeanne

      January 12, 2016 at 9:26 am

      5 stars
      I'm a vegetarian and need to learn to cook healthy, filling meals. I rely too much on meat substitutions

      Reply
    11. Sophia @veggies dont bite

      January 12, 2016 at 4:12 am

      5 stars
      Loving all the hidden veggies in here! My favorite way to hide them is in sauce!

      Reply
    12. Janice

      January 11, 2016 at 8:59 pm

      5 stars
      A lovely simple dish to make in the slow cooker. Things always taste so much better when they are cooked slowly.

      Reply
    13. Charlie

      January 11, 2016 at 8:49 pm

      5 stars
      This is a great idea! I have never thought to make pasta sauce in the slow cooker, but I shall definitely give this a go. My slow cooker is my best friend but I definitely need to do some new things with it. Hope you are having an amazing time away.

      Reply
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