This Mediterranean Sauce for Pasta is a vibrant and hearty tomato-based sauce infused with bold flavors from red wine, balsamic vinegar, fresh vegetables, and herbs. Bursting with ingredients like mushrooms, garlic, red peppers, and Kalamata olives, it's a celebration of the bold, rustic tastes typical of Mediterranean coastal cuisine. Finished with fresh Roma tomatoes and stewed tomatoes, this sauce simmers down into a rich, aromatic blend that pairs perfectly with pasta and is traditionally served topped with feta cheese. It's perfect for feeding a crowd or freezing for later.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 onions (diced)
- ½ lb mushrooms (halved)
- 4 garlic cloves (chopped)
- 2 red bell peppers (diced)
- 2 cups red wine (dry white wine may be substituted)
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup sugar
- ½ cup basil leaves (chopped )
- ½ cup Kalamata olives
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 10 Roma tomatoes (chopped)
- 2 cups stewed tomatoes
- salt (to taste)
- pepper (to taste)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
Instructions
Step 1: Sauté Aromatics
- Heat olive oil in a large pot.
- Add diced onions, halved mushrooms, chopped garlic, and diced red peppers.
- Sauté until vegetables are soft and fragrant, about 10 minutes.
Step 2: Add Flavor Base
- Stir in red wine, balsamic vinegar, sugar, basil, olives, and oregano.
Step 3: Add Tomatoes
- Add chopped Roma tomatoes and stewed tomatoes.
- Bring to a simmer.
Step 4: Simmer
- Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 5: Optional Thickening
- For a thicker sauce, mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water and stir into sauce during the final 5 minutes.
Step 6: Serve
- Serve hot over pasta.
- Top with crumbled feta cheese if desired.
Tips
- Add crushed red pepper flakes for a spicier Mediterranean-style sauce.
- Replace red wine with white wine (as suggested on the card).
- Add capers for additional briny flavor alongside the Kalamata olives.
- Stir in fresh spinach during the last 5 minutes of simmering for added nutrients.
- Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas for a more protein-rich dish.
- Substitute Roma tomatoes with canned San Marzano tomatoes when out of season.
- Blend part of the sauce for a smoother texture.
- Finish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.
- Add feta cheese (as noted) for an authentic Mediterranean finish.
Nutrition
Calories: 143kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 2gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 189mgPotassium: 408mgFiber: 2gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 1208IUVitamin C: 38mgCalcium: 43mgIron: 1mg
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