tomato pasta sauce with everything!

[TempusFuckit]

Hello,

I'm after suggestions for kid-friendly meals which feature a basic tomato sauce (like pasta sauce, not ketchup), preferably to be added at the final stages.

The context is that we do a childcare swap with a family whose two kids are really fussy eaters, and pasta with tomato sauce is one of only two things they'll eat (the other being hotdogs in a bun).

I'm getting a bit bored of making this. So, I am thinking of doing pasta with tomato sauce most weeks for the fussy ones, and using the tomato sauce as the base for an alternative that my kids might also eat. They're much wider eaters - although if they've got something basic on offer, they will generally choose that, so nothing too exotic like shakshuka or stuffed courgettes . . .

So what are your family favourites that start, or are smothered in tomato sauce?

Tbh, I think I'd just make up a vat of pasta sauce and freeze it in small tubs then you can do whatever you want for yourselves and just whack the pasta sauce in the microwave while the pot boils.

Don't know if this helps (maybe they need a smoother more saucy sauce) but I often do a 'sauce' that is basically garlic and roasted cherry tomatoes over pasta (or fish or anything really). I just chop a clove or two, put in a pan under a single layer of cherry toms, add a glug of olive oil and grill until soft and a bit juicy. I like them with brown/burnt bits. If there is too much liquid you can reduce on the hob until thickened. A glug of balsamic is nice. It's really quick.

You can add bacon before they go under the grill, or a bit of anchovy paste, a dash of wine etc. I made my dinner tonight by adding finely sliced runner beans to the pasta water halfway through, draining when finished cooking, then adding the bacony tomatoes and a bit of cheese.

Mince meat any type lamb,beef etc.

Chicken

Sausages

Roasted ved

Chicken breast with tomato sauce over, maybe with some cheese grilled on top?

Pizza
Add veg, bacon and top with cheese and breadcrumbs for a pasta bake.
Add veg, kidney beans and chilli for a veggie chilli
Add spinach and top with mozzarella for cannelloni.

Add sausages and veg for a sausage casserole (well kind of!)

Sorry, thought I'd said thanks last night! Thanks all for some great suggestions :)

The pasta sauce on a baked potato with grated cheese on top and a salad

Lasagna made with veggies like large thin slices of butternut squash acting as the pasta

Cannelloni filled with spinach and ricotta covered in pasta sauce and baked

Now I'm hungry

have you tried the sausages In with the pasta and sauce.its yum
saute down some chorizo or salami with peppers.and toms.and mix through the tom sauce.serve with potatos.rice.pasta.couscous etc.
roast some veg stir through rice,grain,pasta.and ur sauce
oour over a meat.pork chops.chicken.sausages.
make a stew of sorts with veggies,sauce,meat. top with dumpling or a savoury crumble.or slices of potato or bagueete and bake as a lovely casserole dish of yum.
bag of doritos.lay on plate.then withsauce make either a chili with mince or veggies then top onto doritos,sprinkle with cheese.grill to melted.ooooooo yes
meatballs