Tortellini with Zucchini Tomato Sauce

Tortellini with Zucchini Tomato Sauce

Nothing beats homemade tomato sauce because I know what ingredients are being used. And since I almost always use seasonal, local ingredients, I know the flavour of the sauce will be bold and fresh.

These cheese-stuffed tortellini with zucchini tomato sauce is a wholesome, delicious meal for the kids, packed with manganese, vitamin C, and dietary fiber. Kids won’t eat their veggies? Zucchini is the ideal veggie to be sneaky with since it has such a mild, delicate flavour and in this traditional tomato sauce it goes completely undetected.

Tortellini with Zucchini Tomato Sauce

I’ve never been much of a fan of sneaking veggies into my kids’ meals. I’d rather they become accustomed to seeing veggies on their plates and (hopefully) eat them without any pressure…and enjoy them too!

Having said that, it suffices to say that it’s more than frustrating when the mere sight of veggies on their plates results in complete and utter veggie denial. So, sometimes you just have to sneak them in…right?

Tortellini with Zucchini Tomato Sauce

This particular recipe wasn’t intentionally made to be sneaky one. Sometimes inspiration hits when you least expect it to. I was preparing some sauteed zucchini for a frittata and some tomato sauce at the same time and decided on a whim to puree some of the zucchini and add it to the sauce. It’s a simple as that.

Tortellini with Zucchini Tomato Sauce

If your kids don’t get squirmy when they actually see vegetables on their plates you can serve this sauce as is, thick and chunky, otherwise, you’re best bet would be to puree the the zucchini so they go completely undetected.

In addition, peeling the zucchini will ensure no green bits end up on the kids’ plates. I make a large batch of this sauce and store family-size portions in the freezer for a quick and ready-made pasta sauce for those busy weeknights.

Tortellini with Zucchini Tomato Sauce

If you try this recipe (and love it!) be sure to snap a pic and tag me on Instagram with #bitesforfoodies so I can see your creation!

Tortellini with Zucchini Tomato Sauce

2016-01-23
: Serves 4
: 5 min
: 25-20 min

Nothing beats homemade tomato sauce because I know what ingredients are being used. And since I almost always use seasonal, local ingredients, I know the flavour of the sauce will be bold and fresh. These cheese-stuffed tortellini with zucchini tomato sauce is a wholesome, delicious meal for the kids, packed with manganese, vitamin C, and dietary […]

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Tortellini with Zucchini Tomato Sauce
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5
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Ingredients
    1/2 red onion, finely diced
  • 1-2 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 1 tsp. capers, drained and finely minced
  • 3 medium zucchini, stems removed, halved lengthwise and finely sliced
  • 1 tsp. tomato paste
  • 1 28oz can pureed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2-3 tbs. fresh parsley, finely minced
  • sea salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2-3 tbs. extra virgin olive oil
  • 500g fresh tortellini
Directions

In a large frying pan, add the olive oil and warm on medium heat for 1-2 minutes. Add the garlic, capers, and onions and saute for 5-7 minutes or until translucent. Add the sliced zucchini and saute for 2-3 minutes.

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Add the tomato paste and puree with the water and continue to cook on medium-low heat for 25-30 minutes, until the sauce has thickened and the zucchini is completely translucent.

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Once the saute is ready, set aside to cool for 5-10 minutes. Bring water to a boil in a large pot and add the tortellini and cook according to the package instructions. In the meantime, transfer the sauce to a small food processor, add the fresh parsley, and blend until smooth and creamy.

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Once the tortellini are cooked, drain the water then return the pot and add the sauce. Stir until the tortellini are completely covered with the sauce. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

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45 thoughts on “Tortellini with Zucchini Tomato Sauce”

  • I wondered how you were going to smuggle in the “bigger bites”. My kids will swear up and down that they can’t stand zucchini but they eat it all the time. They just don’t know that they do 😉

  • Adrienne 9 years ago

    This looks so yummy! Love how you secretly added veggies. hehe

  • Anything with Zucchini Tomato Sauce is simply delicious, is one of my favorite sauces, thanks for the great recipe | http://carmelapop.com

  • Thanks for this very yummy recipe. Will surely try it out too!

  • Yummy! I’m always in the lookout for vegetarian pasta recipes. And, we love zucchini! I’ve saved your recipe and will be making it very soon.

  • Oh yes, I definitely pinned this one. I can make a bunch of this and when the grandkids come over I’ll be the greatest NaNee in the whole world. hahaha I have 11 grandkids and 1 great-grandson. Besides kids? What about me and the hubby… looks great and what a great dinner this will make. Thanks for sharing. Yep definitely pinned this one! mmmmmm

  • This recipe sounds and looks amazing! Such an easy way to incorporate vegetables into a meal. Saving to make soon – sounds perfect for Winter!

  • I’m the same way…I want my kids to appreciate the veggies and actually learn to love and request them. That said, a mom’s gotta do what a mom’s gotta do – and there’s no shame in using the sneaky method. Plus, it’s doesn’t necessarily have to be sneaky, just a delicious part of a recipe.

    p.s. – just pass me that beautiful skillet full of zucchini and I’d be happy. 😉

  • Pinned you win! I think this would taste amazing!!

  • Jaime Nicole 9 years ago

    This looks like such a great recipe! I would love to whip this up for the family next week and see how it goes over with everyone.

  • I have never had a zucchini sauce but it sounds so good. I need to switch up my pasta sauce recipe.

  • Yum! That Tortellini with Zucchini Tomato Sauce looks amazing! I LOVE Tortellini so much. i’ll definitely be trying this recipe out soon <3

  • Amanda 9 years ago

    This sounds like the perfect weeknight meal. We love pasta, red sauce, and zucchini so this is right up our alley. Can’t wait to try it!

  • Michele D 9 years ago

    This dish looks totally amazing. I can’t wait to try it out for my family. Looks so good!

  • oh wow how delicious is this tomato sauce, I love making my own at home and like you said you know whats going into it.

  • Now this sounds like a great meal. The tomato sauce sounds delicious and I like all of the zucchini.

  • Travel Blogger 9 years ago

    This looks so good! My husband loves pasta, and I think he would really enjoy this. We don’t make stuff with zucchini very often. This a great reason to buy some.

  • Jelli 9 years ago

    Mmm! I could just finish off a bowl of this now, and it’s still breakfast time! Love me some Italian food and zucchini in it too!

  • valmg 9 years ago

    My husband really likes zucchini, so I’m guessing he’d enjoy this. He doesn’t get to eat it often as I don’t like it so I won’t make it.

  • I LOVE zucchini. It’s like my new best friend. I just bought some so that I could finally test out my Vegezetti (or whatever it’s called). This recipe looks appetizing!

  • CourtneyLynne Storms 9 years ago

    Omg this looks absolutely delicious!!! I so need to give your recipe a try!!!! Too yummy 🙂

  • Ickle Pickle 9 years ago

    This looks so yummy – I love pasta and we have it a lot. Great recipe, thank you. Kaz

  • The Perfect Storm 9 years ago

    Oh man this looks so good! Ill have to remember this when I have fresh garden zucchini again 🙂

  • I love cooking with zucchini. Never made tomato sauce with it though. Got to try because it looks delicious!

  • Well now that looks so delicious, I’m going to print out your recipe. I can’t wait to try this for the grand kids this weekend.

  • Rebecca Swenor 9 years ago

    This actually looks so delicious. Yummy!!! I have never made my own homemade tomato sauce with zucchini before so I will love trying this recipe. Thanks for sharing it.

  • Stephanie Pass 9 years ago

    Oh yum, I love zucchini. I’m going to have to make this sauce myself.

  • Taty Pradilla 9 years ago

    That sauce would be great for so many things! I really like this recipe, thanks for creating it for us

  • Danielle DeVane Wells 9 years ago

    This looks really delicious! And your pictures are amazing! They make me want to make this RIGHT NOW :!

  • Tori Gabriel 9 years ago

    This sounds amazing and something even my children will eat. I must confess I had to Google zucchini as I was a bit baffled by it. Turns out they are courgettes for any other British readers.

  • It looks amazing Lisa! I love that I have the option of blending it up and hiding it in there…more so from my husband than my kids. My kids actually like Zuchini, but my husband is a baby about it. 😉

  • Pam W 9 years ago

    This does look really good! My kids like zucchini and squash sauteed together, but I know they would love zucchini prepared this ways!

  • J-Man and MillerBug 9 years ago

    This looks delicious and I love all the veggies in the sauce. I think I have all the ingredients now and it’s snowing here so I might whip this up this afternoon.

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