Different regions of Italy are famous for different kinds of pasta sauces. In northern Italy, cold temperatures, mountainous terrain, and a preference for gamey meats mean that the region is home to meaty sauces. In contrast, ingredients like tomatoes, eggplants, and olives grow in abundance thanks to the warm climate of southern Italy. Southern Italy also tends to use more pepper than the north, and the region’s coastline makes seafood a popular ingredient.
Interestingly, some of the most common pasta dishes — like spaghetti and meatballs or fettuccine alfredo — were actually invented in America. An influx of Italian immigrants in the U.S. has given rise to an entire cuisine known as Italian-American. As a result, there are a ton of pasta sauces today, each of which serves a saucy purpose of its own.
In this recipe we let you choose your favorite jar of marinara sauce, and we add the extras to give the recipe that home style meal.
How to make Blended Pasta Sauce
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound mushrooms (such as white button, crimini or portabella), finely chopped
- 1 pound 80% lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
- cooked pasta
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- grated Parmesan cheese
Directions:
- In large pot over medium heat, add oil and cook onions, stirring occasionally, until just soft, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
- Add mushrooms and cook 5 minutes, or until mushrooms are soft and reduced in size.
- Add ground beef, Italian seasoning and salt; cook until browned throughout, about 6 minutes, stirring and breaking up lumps. Skim off fat, leaving about 2 tablespoons.
- Stir in marinara sauce and reduce heat to low. Cook 10 minutes.
- Serve over cooked pasta, season with salt and pepper, to taste, and top with grated Parmesan.
Pasta choice:
- Penne pairs especially well with marinara sauce because its shape holds onto the sauce better than other types of pasta.
- Spaghetti is an excellent choice for marinara sauce because the strands are able to hold onto the sauce better than other types of pasta.
- Cavatappi has ridges on the outside and a hollow center that helps it hold onto sauces and other ingredients. Cavatappi is an ideal choice for marinara sauce because its shape allows it to capture all the flavors of the sauce in each bite.
Recipe courtesy of the Mushroom Council
