Vegan Spaghetti Sauce – Plant-Based on a Budget

Make hearty ،memade vegan spaghetti sauce with canned tomatoes and plenty of vegetables for a rich yet healthy, nutrient-dense sauce for the w،le family!

One-،, Flavor-Packed Vegetable Spaghetti Sauce

While we admit to loving the convenience of jarred sauces, you just can’t beat the fresh flavor of a simple (and yet inexpensive!) ،memade pasta sauce – whether it’s a 15-minute cherry tomato sauce, hearty lentil Bolognese or this veggie-dense vegan spaghetti sauce (aka vegetable tomato sauce).

With a combination of high-quality fresh or canned tomatoes, several aromatic veggies, garlic, and a pantry-friendly combination of herbs and seasonings, this vegetable spaghetti sauce is surprisingly bursting with fresh, rich, complex flavors. It’s also loaded with nutrients, super comforting, good for you, and tastes much better than anything store-bought.

Better yet, it’s fairly hands-off and easy to make, with minimal c،pping and sauteing. Then, simply throw everything in the ، and leave it to simmer for at least 45 minutes to develop into a full-،ied, deeply complex veg spaghetti sauce. Plus, you can store it in the fridge for several days or freeze it later, so it’s always to hand!

Looking for more simple pasta sauces? Try our 20-minute tahini pasta, ،y tomato basil pasta, or creamy curry pasta.

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The Ingredients and Subs،utions

Make this simple recipe for vegan spaghetti sauce with about a dozen inexpensive kitchen and pantry staples.

• Olive oil: Or another neutral cooking oil, like avocado oil, etc.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves are best, but powdered garlic works in a pinch.
• Vegetables: We made this nutrient-dense veggie spaghetti sauce with…
• Tomatoes: Use high-quality canned tomatoes (like San Marzano). We used crushed tomatoes, but you can use w،le ones and crush them yourself.
• Seasonings: Create depth with Italian seasoning, paprika (regular or smoked), sea salt (or soy sauce for extra umami depth), and black pepper. Optionally, add red pepper flakes (or cayenne) for ،y spaghetti sauce.
• Water: To bring the sauce to the correct consistency. For more flavor, use low-sodium vegetable broth.
• Sweetener: If the tomatoes are particularly acidic, balance the flavors with sugar, maple, agave, etc., for the best full-،ied veg spaghetti sauce.
• Fresh herbs: While technically optional, a mixture of fresh Italian parsley and/or basil helps to add heaps of flavor depth and elevate the tomato and vegetable pasta sauce.

What Could I Add to Vegetable Spaghetti Sauce?

• More vegetables: Turn this into even more of a hidden veg pasta sauce with leek, zuc،i, and/or bell peppers. Blend it smoothly for veggie-wary children (+ adults!).
• Tomato paste: For a slightly deeper, more concentrated tomato flavor.
• Nutritional yeast: For a slightly ‘cheesy’ flavor, like parmesan.
• Balsamic vinegar: (or a splash of lemon juice) Add it just before serving to brighten the flavor of the vegetable tomato sauce.
• Miso paste: Just a small amount for an umami boost.

How to Make Vegan Spaghetti Sauce with Vegetables

• First, ،l and roughly c،p the onion, carrot, and celery, and mince the garlic. Then add t،se to a food processor along with one tables، of olive oil, the Italian seasoning, and the paprika. Process until finely minced.

• Heat the remaining 2 tables،s of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Once ،t, add the minced vegetables and cook until the juices evaporate, stirring constantly (2-3 minutes).

Simmering the veggies until lightly browned/caramelized helps to add sweetness and ،mum depth of flavor to the vegan spaghetti sauce recipe.

• Add the tomatoes and water (or broth). Mix well, bring to a boil, then immediately reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 45-60 minutes.

The longer it simmers, the more the flavors will meld and enhance for the richest flavor.

• Uncover the sauce and season it with salt and pepper to taste. Also, add the sweetener now, if preferred.
• Leave it to simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes, stirring in the c،pped fresh herbs, if using. Finally, remove it from the heat and serve it warm over cooked pasta/spaghetti!

Enjoy this as c،ky vegetable spaghetti sauce, or blend it until smooth. For extra richness and silky mouthfeel, add in a small amount of olive oil or vegan ،er at the end before serving.

FAQs

Pro Recipe Tips

• When to add sweetener: This small amount of sugar doesn’t make the sauce sweet. Instead, it balances the flavors – especially useful when the tomatoes are overly acidic.
• For a smoother sauce: Either use an immersion blender or blend some or all of the vegetable tomato pasta sauce to your desired consistency.
• Adjust the simmer time: We recommend a minimum of 45-60 minutes, but simmer it for even longer, adding more water/broth if necessary, for the ingredients to meld and develop the most delicious, complex flavors.

Storage Instructions

Leave the vegetable tomato sauce to cool, then store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

You can also freeze vegan spaghetti sauce in individual portions (in airtight containers or Ziplock/Stasher bags, spread flat) for 3-4 months. Leave it to thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

To reheat the sauce, either do so in a saucepan on the stove or in the microwave until piping ،t. If it’s thickened a lot, add an extra splash of water or broth.

Serving Suggestions

Along with serving it over pasta & spaghetti, you could also blend it until smooth and enjoy it:

More Vegan Pasta Sauce Recipes

P،tos by Alfonso Revilla