Growing up in California, my mother always makes pasta sauce with brown sugar and a splash of vinegar to put off season-purchased tomatoes. She didn’t do that in midsummer when lavish tomatoes from the garden are available, which don’t need any added sugar or acid.
Adding brown sugar to tomato sauce is a technique to eliminate the metallic flavours that occur when acidic items like tomatoes are canned for long periods. It has nothing to do with ethnic origins; it’s just a culinary method that evolved in restaurants and kitchens that valued fresh flavours more than processed ones.
Let's learn to make pasta sauce with brown sugar without any further ado.
How to cook pasta sauce with brown sugar?
Generally, traditional pasta sauce is made with vegetables, ground meat or sausages. But my mother used to simmer up jarred tomato sauce with ground beef meat and some herbs.
Not too much preparation is needed and the process of layering flavors with simple yet readily available seasonings resulted in an exceptional dish. This recipe is a great place to start -prepared and served on the table in just 20 minutes!
If you need clarification regarding meat selection. Worry not; you can seek help about “which meat goes well with pasta sauce” on this website. Take a moment to read this blog.
Pasta sauce Ingredients:
My this pasta sauce with brown sugar recipe is unique, tasty, and the best! It’s made from scratch with fresh, simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry and fridge, and it will make your mouth water!
| Ingredients | Quantity |
| Vegetable oil | 2 tablespoons |
| Bell pepper | 1 chopped |
| Onion | 1 chopped |
| Ground meat | ½ pound (any meat) |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon (according to taste) |
| Black pepper | ½ teaspoon (freshly crushed) |
| Garlic powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Brown sugar | 2 tablespoon |
| Tomato purée | 1 can(8 OZ) |
| Dried Italian herbs | 1 tablespoon |
Directions:
1. Heat a medium pot with 2 tablespoons of oil.
2. Add onions and bell pepper (any type according to availability) and sauté for about 3 minutes.
3. Add ground meat (I am using beef meat) in sauce, mix, and carefully scrape up meat bits on the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Allow the meat to cook for 12 to 15 minutes over medium to low heat. Stir continuously. If meat is sticking to the pan, you can sprinkle some water.
4. Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, brown sugar, dried Italian herbs and fresh basil leaves (optional) to the meat and mix well.
5. Pour tomato purée and stir in; simmer the sauce until flavours combine, 10 to 15 minutes.
Finally, sweet and slightly caramelized meat-based pasta sauce with brown sugar is ready. This sauce tastes heavenly when paired up with freshly boiled al dente spaghetti.
Secret tips to make pasta sauce more delicious:
Here are professional chef’s tips to keep in mind, which can make this recipe more effortless and more delicious!
Prefer fresh tomatoes: always opt for fresh ripe tomatoes; they will turn out better and more flavourful.
Natural sweetener option: adding grated carrot to the sauce is a Health-friendly sweetening choice instead of brown sugar. The carrot absorbs the bitterness of some tomatoes and adds a bit of sweetness.
Use Parmesan cheese crusts for a rich and savoury taste during the sauce simmering process.
Monitor sugar levels because sauce sweetness becomes more inherent as it simmers.
Balance the acidity in the sauce by adding a pinch of baking soda and taste to ensure the acidity is balanced.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use brown sugar in pasta sauce?
Yes, You can use white or brown sugar according to taste or availability. The final touch is sprinkling a pinch of sugar, added just before allowing the sauce to simmer and thicken on the stovetop.
Do Italians put brown sugar in spaghetti sauce?
Commonly no. But putting a little brown sugar in tomato-based sauces is a technique to eliminate the metallic flavours that occur when acidic items like tomatoes are canned for long periods.
What can I use instead of sugar in pasta sauce?
Adding grated carrot to the sauce is a healthy sweetener instead of brown sugar. The carrot absorbs the bitterness of some tomatoes and adds a bit of sweetness.
