Tomato Mince Sauce

There are some recipes in life that you can’t quite pin point the origin of. How they came to be, where they came from, who inspired them, what inspired them; it can all feel a little unknown. Yet somehow it is often those very recipes that become a part of your weekly menu and are added to your family recipe book.

Tomato mince sauce is a staple item in our home, often used with pasta dishes, most specifically lasagne. It’s a favourite with the children and adults alike and honestly that’s about the biggest win I can hope for.

It is a two part recipe that involves the mince (beef or chicken) and the vegetable sauce with a heavy tomato base. While it does take a minute to put it together it is one of those from scratch dishes that you simply don’t regret.

Check out the recipe below with notes to follow.

Ingredients for Mince:

• 330g mince (chicken or beef)
• 2 tbsp cooking oil
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 medium onion sliced
• 2 tsp garlic paste
• 1 tsp ginger paste
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper pwd
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp cumin pwd
• 1 tsp coriander pwd
• 1/2 tsp chilli flakes
• 2 tbsp fresh cut coriander

Method for Mince:

• In a saucepan melt butter on medium heat. Add oil and heat through.
• Add sliced onions and fry until golden brown.
• Once onions brown add ginger and garlic paste and stir fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
• Add mince and stir fry until it changes colour and the meaty smell evaporates. Reduce any excess water.
• Add all spices as well as the fresh cut coriander and stir fry well.
• Add 1 cup boiling water, cover and leave on low flame for 30 mins.
• Uncover and completely cook down any excess water.
• Remove from flame and set aside.

Ingredients for Vegetable Sauce:

• 1 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp garlic paste
• 1 medium onion cut into cubes
• 2-3 stalks of spring onion sliced
• 1 green bell pepper cut into cubes
• 1 carrot cut into chunks
• 1 potato cut into cubes
• 6-8 medium tomatoes cut into chunks
• 4-5 tbsp fresh cut corainder
• 2 tsp kecthup
• 1.5 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper pwd
• 1/2 tsp chilli flakes
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp coriander pwd
• 1 tsp cumin pwd

Method for Vegetable Sauce:

• In a large saucepan melt butter and add oil. Heat through on a medium flame.
• Add onions, spring onions and bell peppers, along with garlic paste. Stir fry until fragrant.
• When the onions begin changing colour add carrots and potatoes, and stir fry 30-45 seconds.
• Add tomatoes, and coriander, mix well.
• Add the spices and ketchup and stir fry until the spices cook through.
• Add 1 cup boiling water, cover and leave on low heat to simmer for approx 45 mins. Do keep an eye out and stir in between.
• Uncover and evaporate any excess water; you don’t want the sauce to be too runny.
• Remove from heat and using an immersion blender grind until the veggies are broken down. If you don’t have an immersion blender you can cool down the mixture and add it to a blender jug or food processor.
• Add the cooked mince and your sauce is ready. Serve with pastas, rice or use as a bread filling and enjoy!

Notes:

• I blend my vegetables because we prefer a smoother sauce, you can also dice them finely and serve a chunkier version without blending.
• This usually makes enough for one large lasagne dish (serving 8-10 people), or a full packet of pasta or spaghetti.
• The sauce also freezes well and can stay in the fridge for up to three days.

What recipe do you make on repeat for your home? Let me know! Also tag me on instagram if you give this one a try; @mumsthewordpk89