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OIL FREE ITALIAN PEPERONATA SAUCE

Healthy, fresh, and utter delicious, this oil Free Italian Peperonata Sauce recipe is a delightful Italian sauce perfect for pasta drenching.
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 50 mins
Total Time 1 hr
Course Main Course
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 16 oz. gluten free pasta

Base Ingredients:

  • 1 medium yellow onion fine dice
  • 1 red bell pepper diced into ¾-inch squares
  • 1 orange bell pepper diced into ¾-inch squares
  • 1 yellow bell pepper diced into ¾-inch squares
  • 2 Tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1 lb. 8 oz. plump tomatoes quartered *
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ cup pasta water

Herb/Spice Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • ¼ to 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • Pinch red pepper flakes

Optional Toppings:

  • Fresh chopped basil
  • Vegan Parmesan Cheese see link in Notes to make your own or try Violife brand

Instructions
 

  • Cook pasta according to instructions, drain, shake well, set aside. Save 1 cup of pasta water to add to the sauce. You may only use ¼ cup of pasta water for this recipe; however, you may need a little extra, so we are reserving extra pasta water at this time.
  • Place all the Herb/Spice Ingredients (except the red pepper flakes) into a small bowl, mix well. Set aside.
  • In a large ceramic/enamel lined skillet, Dutch oven, or non-stick skillet, add the diced onions and bell peppers, sauté over medium-high heat for 7 to 9 minutes to soften.
  • Add the finely minced garlic, sauté for 30 seconds, then add the quartered tomatoes and the Herb/Spice Mix, stir well to incorporate, then simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Add the baking soda and stirring constantly for one minute, then simmer for 30 minutes (or longer) largely dependent upon how soft you enjoy the peppers. Stir occasionally.
  • After 30 minutes, the tomatoes should have broken down and released their juices and pretty much created a nice sauce, evaluate the amount of sauce. Add ¼ cup of pasta water, if needed.
  • Add the red pepper flakes at the end, stir, allow to simmer for several minutes.
  • Serve over your favorite pasta with freshly chopped basil and/or Vegan Parmesan Cheese.