Vegetarian spaghetti sauce is a delicious minimalist approach to meatless spaghetti sauce. Using minimal fresh ingredients brings out the robust taste in this vegan spaghetti sauce.
If you google the term “vegetarian spaghetti sauce” you will get a variety of recipes. You will get some vegetarian spaghetti sauce recipes that are stock full of veggies, lentils and more. Those meatless spaghetti sauce recipes are truly delicious.
Today, we are taking a turn at simplicity with our vegetarian spaghetti sauce. Our meatless sauce has just a handful of common, simple ingredients that in the end will make your mouth water for a second serving. You might want to serve up some roasted potatoes and brussel sprouts or a zucchini bake casserole with your vegetarian spaghetti.
Spaghetti is a very common dish when it comes to meal time. Whether you are making your vegetarian spaghetti using sauce from a jar or perhaps you are making your own vegan spaghetti sauce from scratch.
My family loves spaghetti. It seems like it is almost a right of passage meal. I mean, we all probably have comforting memories of eating spaghetti growing up. I remember my mom would make huge pots of homemade spaghetti sauce and freeze the sauce for future meals. It was such a fun process and the kitchen smelled amazing.
Consider this vegetarian spaghetti sauce with a minimalist approach. Check out the simple ingredients:
- Spaghetti
- Fresh tomatoes
- Avocado Oil
- Onion
- Worcestershire (gf + vegan)
- Water
- Seasonings
We are taking this minimalist approach to our vegetarian spaghetti sauce because we want to focus on letting the simple ingredients do the talking. Not only does this meatless spaghetti sauce pack the flavor but so does the pasta we use.
Calling all pasta pioneers, we want to share with you a smarter way to “pasta.” I’ve been dishing and sharing about Explore Cuisine pastas for years. You can catch all my recipes that use Explore Cuisine Pasta in our recipe index. We are huge fans of this pasta brand because they focus on organic and gluten-free pastas that are filled with the goodness of beans, lentils, rice and chickpeas. Who can resist a pasta that is packed with protein and fiber. For this specific recipe we used Explore Cuisine’s Chickpea Spaghetti. It is made with: Organic chickpea flour, organic brown rice flour, organic tapioca starch, organic pea protein powder.
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How to make vegetarian spaghetti sauce:
- Prepare your pasta per the directions on the box.
- Dice onion. In a medium skillet over medium heat, warm the avocado oil and then saute the onion until soft. While onion is sauteing, dice the fresh tomatoes. Once the onions are soft put the tomatoes in the skillet along with the Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar (optional), water, red pepper flakes and dried oregano. Bring sauce to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes.
- Once sauce is done simmering, pour the sauce into a high speed blender and blend until smooth.
- Top cooked spaghetti noodles with sauce.
- Garnish with fresh basil, parmesan (vegan or dairy).
- ENJOY!
Tips and Variations for Vegetarian Spaghetti Sauce
- Add more fresh or dried herbs to the meatless spaghetti sauce to further enhance the flavor.
- Add finely chopped vegetables to the sauce such as carrots and celery. You can make the sauce thicker by doing this.
- Add in some vegetarian protein such as a meat substitute or lentils to make the sauce more hearty.
What is marinara sauce?
Marinara sauce is a tomato sauce that is made by combining tomatoes, onions and herbs. It has a wide range of variations to the basic recipe. The Marinara sauce is frequently used in American and Italian Cuisines.
Is marinara sauce vegan?
Yes, in its basic form, marinara sauce is vegan. It is a combination of tomatoes, onions and herbs.
Can you freeze this vegetarian spaghetti sauce?
Yes, this meatless spaghetti sauce freezes well. I often make a double batch when all my garden tomatoes ripen at the same time!
Can I use canned tomatoes?
Yes, while I like to use fresh tomatoes with this recipe you can use a canned variety of tomatoes to make this vegetarian spaghetti sauce. Some varieties of canned tomatoes might make the sauce taste bitter. If that happens you can add a ¼ of a teaspoon of baking powder to the sauce. That should take away the bitter flavor.
What about tomato skins?
Some vegan spaghetti recipes that use fresh tomatoes, remove the skins. That is not necessary with this recipe, as we are using a high powered blender to blend our meatless spaghetti sauce. If you do not have access to a high powered blender you can boil the tomatoes first to remove their skins.
Pin this vegetarian spaghetti sauce for later:
Get your Vegetarian Spaghetti Recipe here:
Vegetarian Spaghetti Sauce
Ingredients
- 8 oz Explore Cuisine's Chickpea Spaghetti
- 2 T Oil
- 2.5 c diced tomato fresh tomatoes
- 1 T Worcestershire
- 1 T Brown Sugar optional
- 1/2 c water optional if sauce is too thick
- pinch red pepper flakes
- 1 t oregano dried
Instructions
- Prepare your pasta per the directions on the box.Dice onion.
- In a medium skillet over medium heat, warm the avocado oil and then saute the onion until soft. While onion is sauteing, dice the fresh tomatoes.
- Once the onions are soft put the tomatoes in the skillet along with the Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar (optional), water, red pepper flakes and dried oregano.
- Bring sauce to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes. Once sauce is done simmering, pour the sauce into a high speed blender and blend until smooth.
- Top cooked spaghetti noodles with sauce.Garnish with fresh basil, parmesan (vegan or dairy).ENJOY!
Notes
Tips and Variations for Vegetarian Spaghetti Sauce
- Add more fresh or dried herbs to the meatless spaghetti sauce to further enhance the flavor.
- Add finely chopped vegetables to the sauce such as carrots and celery. You can make the sauce thicker by doing this.
- Add in some vegetarian protein such as a meat substitute or lentils to make the sauce more hearty.
What is marinara sauce?
Marinara sauce is a tomato sauce that is made by combining tomatoes, onions and herbs. It has a wide range of variations to the basic recipe. The Marinara sauce is frequently used in American and Italian Cuisines.Is marinara sauce vegan?
Yes, in its basic form, marinara sauce is vegan. It is a combination of tomatoes, onions and herbs.Can you freeze this vegetarian spaghetti sauce?
Yes, this meatless spaghetti sauce freezes well. I often make a double batch when all my garden tomatoes ripen at the same time!Can I use canned tomatoes?
Yes, while I like to use fresh tomatoes with this recipe you can use a canned variety of tomatoes to make this vegetarian spaghetti sauce. Some varieties of canned tomatoes might make the sauce taste bitter. If that happens you can add a ¼ of a teaspoon of baking powder to the sauce. That should take away the bitter flavor.What about tomato skins?
Some vegan spaghetti recipes that use fresh tomatoes, remove the skins. That is not necessary with this recipe, as we are using a high powered blender to blend our meatless spaghetti sauce. If you do not have access to a high powered blender you can boil the tomatoes first to remove their skins.Nutrition
All though this website attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, the information should only be considered an estimate. Varying factors such as different product types, different brands, etc. can change nutritional information. It is your responsibility as a consumer to read all labels to make sure the ingredients fit your dietary needs as well as calculate your own nutritional information as a double check.
Let’s talk! Drop me a comment below telling me if you have ever made your own spaghetti sauce! Did you use fresh tomatoes? I’d love to know if you have ever tried Explore Cuisine’s Chickpea Spaghetti?
Jessica Robinson says
Sounds like a delicious option for a gluten-free pasta night! Looks so yummy!
Cindy Gordon says
You got it! I hope that you enjoyed!
Kristine says
We love, love, loved this recipe – so flavorful. It was the perfect way to top the chickpea spaghetti. I will definitely make this one again, thank you!
Cindy Gordon says
So glad you loved the Vegetarian Spaghetti Sauce, Kristine! So great to hear!
Gloria says
I think even a meat lover could not resist this sauce. Homemade sauce is the best. I would enjoy this for dinner any night of the week.
Cindy Gordon says
100% agree with that Gloria!
Lisa Bryan says
I love a good spaghetti, especially if it’s made from chickpeas! Great idea.
Cindy Gordon says
Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy the chickpea pasta and vegetarian spaghetti sauce as much as we do!
Romina says
This looks super tasty! I’ve never had chickpea pasta before!
Cindy Gordon says
Thank you so much! I think you’ll love this vegetarian spaghetti sauce with chickpea pasta! We love that added bonus of protein the chickpea pasta brings to the dinner table!