Yummy Tomato and Cream Cheese pasta sauce (Rice & Pasta Dishes)

Member Name: evelyndunton

Product:	Rice & Pasta Dishes
Date:	29/05/09 (128 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Inexpensive and nutritious

Disadvantages: Can't think of any

During this credit crunch it is good to have a few inexpensive but nutritious recipe ideas.

Here is one that we have done regularly for several years that the entire family enjoys enormously.

Tomato and Cream Cheese Pasta Sauce

Serves 4
Preparation and cooking time 15 minutes

1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
1 tin of chopped tomatoes
Large pinch of mixed herbs
2 oz soft cream cheese
Salt (if desired)
Black pepper
Olive oil for frying

Fry the chopped onion and crushed garlic in a little olive oil until soft, add the tomatoes, herbs and salt (if using) and black pepper.

Stir and simmer gently for about 10 minutes.

Pour into a liquidiser and wiz until smooth and then add the cream cheese and wiz again.

Return to the pan and heat gently.

If you do not have a liquidiser or blender this sauce can be served without liquidising in its "chunky" form.

If not blending add the cheese to the pan of hot tomato sauce and heat through gently until cheese has melted.

Serve with freshly cooked pasta of any shape, crusty bread and a salad for a very inexpensive and nutritious main meal for four.

Cooks notes

We use the Tesco Value brand of tomatoes and cream cheese for this, however, for a special occasion mascarpone cheese can be used.

Mixed herbs can be substituted with basil or any other herb that you wish.

A splash of red wine can also be added for extra flavour at the simmering stage.

Please experiment and enjoy this easy recipe.

Summary: An excellent easy to prepare, inexpensive, nutritious sauce