Hearty Black Bean Pasta Sauce (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Pasta
01 -
250 g penne, fusilli, or preferred pasta
→ Sauce Base
02 -
1 tablespoon olive oil
03 -
1 red onion, diced
04 -
1 carrot, diced
05 -
1 celery stalk, diced
→ Aromatics & Seasoning
06 -
2 cloves garlic, minced
07 -
1 teaspoon dried oregano
08 -
0.5 teaspoon red chili flakes
09 -
1 sprig fresh rosemary
10 -
2 bay leaves
11 -
1 tablespoon tomato paste
→ Bean-Tomato Blend
12 -
400 g black beans, rinsed and drained
13 -
400 g diced tomatoes
14 -
80 ml red wine
15 -
0.5 teaspoon salt
16 -
0.25 teaspoon black pepper
→ Garnish
17 -
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
18 -
Grated Parmesan or vegan alternative, for serving (optional)
# Instructions:
01 -
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 60 ml pasta water, then drain.
02 -
Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté gently for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened.
03 -
Stir in minced garlic, dried oregano, red chili flakes, rosemary sprig, and bay leaves. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 -
Add tomato paste; stir to coat vegetables evenly. Pour in red wine, scraping any browned bits from the pot. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until alcohol aroma subsides.
05 -
Incorporate black beans, diced tomatoes, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer, lower the heat, cover, and cook for 20 minutes.
06 -
Using the back of a wooden spoon or potato masher, gently crush some beans against the pot’s side to thicken the sauce. Remove rosemary sprig and bay leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
07 -
Add drained pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat thoroughly. If desired, use reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and vegan or traditional Parmesan, as preferred.
# Notes:
01 -
Smashing the beans creates a thick, creamy sauce that adheres well to pasta. For enhanced depth, extend the sauce simmer by an additional 10 minutes if time permits.