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    Home » Recipes » Dinner

    Meat Sauce with Hidden Vegetables for Picky Eaters

    Modified: Jun 17, 2025 · Published: Mar 4, 2020 by Katy McAvoy

    This post contains affiliate links (paid links). Advertisements displayed on this website do not reflect endorsements or recommendations made by Mitten Girl LLC.

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    Hidden Veggie Meat Sauce.

    This vegetable-filled meat sauce is a great way to get more veggies into your day or into your kids! It makes a large amount that freezes well, making it an excellent choice for meal prep.

    Hidden Veggie Meat Sauce

    Hidden Veggie Meat Sauce is especially helpful when trying to please a picky young eater but still feed them something healthy.

    Ingredients

    • Olive oil
    • Onions
    • Garlic
    • Carrots
    • Ground beef or turkey
    • Dried basil
    • Garlic powder
    • Dried oregano
    • Onion powder
    • Salt
    • Black pepper
    • Marinara sauce

    How to Make Meat Sauce with Hidden Veggies

    In a large, high sided skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.

    Add chopped onions. Cook for 2-3 minutes.

    Add minced garlic and grated carrots. Stir and cook for another 5 minutes.

    Remove from pan and place in a large bowl. 

    Place pan back on stove. Add remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and heat over medium heat.

    Add ground beef or turkey, basil, garlic powder, oregano, onion powder, salt and pepper.

    Cook, stirring to break up ground meat, until meat is cooked through and spices are well incorporated.

    Remove from pan and add to bowl with veggies. 

    Add the 2 jars of marinara sauce to the bowl of cooked meat and veggies.

    Mix thoroughly to combine. 

    The sauce is ready to enjoy or store!

    Tips on Hidden Veggie Meat Sauce

    • To Store: You can scoop it into containers/zip-top bags for freezing or store in the fridge for immediate use.
    • Meal Prep/Freezing: Unless you’re feeding a big crowd, this recipe makes enough for multiple meals, making it perfect for meal prep. Just thaw and warm the sauce, then toss it with hot, cooked pasta. 
    • Finely diced red, orange or yellow bell peppers also go well in this sauce.
    • Use your food processor to chop the veggies if you want them extra small or are trying to hide them from a picky eater!
    • Any ground meat can be used in this recipe - ground beef, chicken, pork, or turkey all work great.

    Print the Recipe Card

    Hiden Veggie Meat Sauce

    Hidden Veggies Pasta Sauce

    Katy McAvoy
    This Hidden Veggies Pasta Sauce is a great way to get more veggies into your day or sneak some in for your picky eaters. There's also lots of meat to make it a protein packed, hearty meal.
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    Print Recipe SaveSaved! Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Servings 10

    Equipment

    • Chef's Knife
    • Extra Virgin Olive Oil

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 tablespoon olive oil divided
    • 2 medium onions chopped
    • 3-4 cloves garlic minced
    • 3 large carrots peeled and grated
    • 2 lbs ground beef or turkey
    • 2 tablespoon dried basil
    • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
    • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
    • 2 teaspoon onion powder
    • 2 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon pepper
    • 48 oz marinara sauce 2 - 24 ounce jars

    Instructions
     

    • In a large, high sided skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
      2 tablespoon olive oil
    • Add chopped onions. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
      2 medium onions
    • Add minced garlic and grated carrots. Stir and cook for another 5 minutes.
      3-4 cloves garlic, 3 large carrots
    • Remove from pan and place in a large bowl. 
    • Place pan back on stove. Add remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and heat over medium heat.
    • Add ground beef or turkey, basil, garlic powder, oregano, onion powder, salt and pepper.
      2 lbs ground beef, 2 tablespoon dried basil, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 2 teaspoon onion powder, 2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper
    • Cook, stirring to break up ground meat, until meat is cooked through and spices are well incorporated.
    • Remove from pan and add to bowl with veggies. 
    • Add the 2 jars of marinara sauce to the bowl of cooked meat and veggies.
      48 oz marinara sauce
    • Mix thoroughly to combine. 
    • The sauce is ready to enjoy or store!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.5cupCalories: 279kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 19gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 1188mgPotassium: 820mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 4214IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 76mgIron: 4mg
    Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

    About Katy McAvoy

    Katy is the author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, and Michigander behind MittenGirl.com and Homemade Happy Hour. Since 2017, she's been crafting recipes for easy-to-make cocktails and delicious snacks while sharing her love of all things Michigan (a.k.a. The Mitten)!

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    Katy McAvoy, mixologist and photographer

    Hi! I’m Katy (she/her). I’m an author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, Michigander, and lover of all things food and drink. I never turn down a good happy hour and believe that everyone deserves a delicious drink. Follow me on Instagram to check out what I’m working on next!

    More about me →

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