By Justine Mattiussi
AmesEats Flavors writer
During my childhood, I have wonderful memories filled with the aroma of homemade pasta with meatballs. The sweet and tangy tomato sauce covered the noodles in such a harmonious way. Fast forward to present day, where your day is a balance of school, work, and other social activities. Who has time to prepare homemade tomato sauce? So, the solution is jarred sauce. There are several different varieties to choose from, but they all lack luster. I propose a change; start incorporating new ingredients into the sauce to spice up the norm and all nutrition.
Try some of these additions and substitutions for your next “homemade” meal:
–Whole grain pasta has fiber, manganese, and selenium.
–Garlic has calcium, vitamin C and phosphorus.
–Onion has fiber, folate, vitamin C, vitamin B6.
–Spinach has vitamins A, C, K, folate, and calcium.
–Squash has vitamin C, manganese, and potassium.
–Roasted red pepper has vitamins A,C,E, folate, and fiber.
–Shitake mushrooms have fiber, riboflavin, and niacin.
–Wild Salmon has protein, niacin, vitamin B12 and selenium.
–Basil has vitamins A,K,C and manganese.
If you’re feeling adventurous skip the jarred tomato sauce and sauté some ingredients in olive oil and lemon juice, add tomatoes, and top your pasta with the mixture and low fat mozzarella cheese. The idea is to experiment with different flavor combinations and spices to create the perfect dish that is both nutritious and delicious. A few simple changes can make all the difference. Bon appetite!
