A classic tomato pasta sauce can be made richer and more flavoursome with the addition of an unexpected ingredient: caster sugar. The tip comes from The Groovy Food Company, which has created a range of child-friendly recipes suitable for keeping children occupied during the summer holidays.
The Secret Ingredient
Caster sugar helps to balance the sauce's richness while enhancing its overall flavour, according to the recipe published by the Express. The dish remains affordable, quick to make, and adaptable to different dietary needs, including vegetarian and vegan preferences.
How to Make Fresh Tomato Pasta
The recipe serves as a hearty family meal. To prepare, preheat the oven to 190°C (gas mark 5). Quarter large tomatoes and arrange all tomatoes in a single layer in a roasting tin, cut sides up. Sprinkle with one tablespoon of caster sugar, two teaspoons of sea salt flakes, four tablespoons of olive oil spray, and half a teaspoon of red wine vinegar. Tuck six flattened garlic cloves into the gaps and roast for 40 minutes.
Push six basil sprigs and the stems from four more sprigs into the liquid in the tin. Roast for an additional 30 minutes until the tomatoes are sunken and intensely flavoured. Turn off the oven but leave the tin inside.
Cook 400g of orecchiette or any pasta shape according to pack instructions, reserving a mug of pasta water before draining. Meanwhile, blend 50g of Parmigiano Reggiano with the reserved basil leaves until a coarse green crumb forms.
Once the pasta is cooked, remove the basil sprigs from the tomatoes and stir the tomato mixture into the pasta, breaking up the garlic. Add a quarter of the cheese mixture along with three to four tablespoons of pasta water and combine gently. Serve topped with the remaining cheese mixture and fresh basil leaves.
