New Recipe! Bowtie Pasta With Tomato “Meat” Sauce

This recipe is one that I’ve been working on for quite awhile, and I’m finally happy with it.  In previous incarnations, the sauce was too light (I used whole tomatoes, which I crushed by hand), or too bland (I didn’t add adequate seasoning), or it wasn’t creamy enough (I didn’t add the small can of tomato sauce).  Now, though, it has an excellent balance of flavor and texture – and it makes enough for guests (or for leftovers!).

The first time I put this together, it was a clean-the-pantry night with a twist: LeeLee and I were going to our neighborhood theatre for a play that evening, and we wanted to both cut costs and have a nice meal.  A few cans of tomato products later, mingled with some vegetarian burger crumbles and herbs and spices, and we were on to a new pasta sauce!

And it’s only gotten better with every iteration.  Furthermore, it simmers just beautifully – if you’re entertaining or your dinner partner is held up at work (this happens at our house from time to time, as you might have gathered by now), you needn’t worry about the quality of the sauce as a result.  It will simmer right on!

Anyway, give it a try and let me know what you think!

TOMATO “MEAT” SAUCE

Serves five

What you’ll need:

1 14.5-oz can of crushed tomatoes

1 small can of tomato sauce

1 can sliced mushrooms

1 package of vegetarian burger crumbles

2 tsp. onion flakes

1 tsp. garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Place the crumbles in a medium-sized saucepan.  Add the mushrooms, crushed tomatoes, and tomato sauce, and then stir in the spices.  Cover – because this sauce will splatter all over your stovetop if you’re not careful! – and simmer for 45 minutes to an hour, stirring occasionally.

Serve atop the pasta of your choice and enjoy!

:)