It’s back-to-school season, and the juggle is real – packed lunches, school drop-offs, and the nightly ‘what’s for dinner?’ dash. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
Our fave foodie Daen Lia and her superstar mini chef, Indi, are here to share a dinner winner that’s as easy as A-B-C! Indi’s Favourite Pasta Sauce is a super simple, crowd-pleasing recipe that’s quick to whip up, totally delish, and guaranteed to keep the whole fam happy (and those tummies full).
Perfect for midweek dinner madness or a fun weekend cook-up with your tiny sous chefs. Ready, set, stir!
Ingredients (Serves: 10)
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves, peeled but whole
1 onion, peeled and halved
2 x 400g cans diced tomatoes
1 parmesan rind (optional)
1 bunch of basil (2 oz/55 g), leaves picked
½ tablespoon brown sugar (optional)
50g parmesan, grated Sea salt flakes Freshly ground black pepper
500g pasta of your choice
Method
1. Place the olive oil, garlic, and onion in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook for 2–3 minutes, until the garlic is turning a very light golden color.
2. Add the canned tomatoes, parmesan rind (if using), three-quarters of the basil leaves, the brown sugar (if using), and a generous amount of salt and pepper. Stir until well combined and bring to a simmer. Once simmering, turn the heat to low and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Using a slotted spoon, scoop out the garlic cloves, parmesan rind, and onion and discard. Alternatively, you can mash the garlic cloves up with the back of a large knife and stir through the sauce. While the sauce cooks, bring a large pot of heavily salted water to the boil.
4. Drain the pasta 2 minutes before the suggested cooking time on the pasta packet. Reserve up to 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Toss the pasta through the sauce with a splash of pasta water and the grated parmesan until you have a smooth and glossy texture. Serve with some extra cheese and basil leaves scattered on top.
Want to see this recipe in action? You can find a bunch of delicious things on Daen Lia’s Instagram. (Warning: Scrolling Daen’s Instagram will result in serious Food Envy.)