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Vegetarian Mamma

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You are here: Home / Recipes / Main Dishes / Vegetarian Spaghetti Sauce

September 24, 2019 by Cindy Gordon

Vegetarian Spaghetti Sauce

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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.

Vegetarian Spaghetti Sauce served on a white plate aside the skillet full of pasta and 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. 

Vegetarian Spaghetti Sauce on white plate with white background

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. 

Vegetarian Spaghetti Sauce - pictured in the spaghetti we used

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.

Do you want to be part of the #PastaPioneerChallenge? Now through November 30, 2019 you can submit your own delicious and nutritious Italian recipes on social media by using the hashtag #PastaPioneerChallenge  Explore Cuisine will be selecting ONE grand prize winner to take a trip to Italy (for two!). Explore Cuisine will also be randomly selecting monthly winners as part of the recipe contest. Monthly winners get something special too! Monthly winners will get a special prize pack sent directly to them, containing pioneering kitchen gadgets and some amazing Explore Cuisine Products. If you’d like more details you can visit https://www.explorecuisine.com/

Vegetarian spaghetti sauce collage of step by step directions

How to make vegetarian spaghetti sauce:

  1. Prepare your pasta per the directions on the box.
  2. 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.
  3. Once sauce is done simmering, pour the sauce into a high speed blender and blend until smooth.
  4. Top cooked spaghetti noodles with sauce.
  5. Garnish with fresh basil, parmesan (vegan or dairy).
  6. ENJOY!

Vegetarian Spaghetti Sauce being twirled on a fork.

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.

Vegetarian Spaghetti Sauce picture of sauce in skillet with cooked pasta on top, unmixed.

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:

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Get your Vegetarian Spaghetti Recipe here:

Vegetarian Spaghetti Sauce being twirled on a fork.
Print Recipe
5 from 4 votes

Vegetarian Spaghetti Sauce

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.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time10 mins
Total Time15 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Vegan Spaghetti Sauce, Vegetarian Spaghetti Sauce
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 280kcal
Author: Cindy Gordon | Vegetarian Mamma

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

Calories: 280kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 75mg | Potassium: 419mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 3mg


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?

Filed Under: Main Dishes, Recipes, Vegan Recipes Tagged With: Dairy Free, Egg Free, Gluten Free, Nut Free, Quick Meals, Vegan, Vegetarian

About Cindy Gordon

This is Cindy Gordon’s website. You might also know her as Vegetarian Mamma. Cindy is an author, recipe developer, social media and content marketer. In addition to her digital roles, Cindy’s interests are gluten-free vegetarian foods, food allergies, gluten-free travel and wellness. Want to know more? Click the ABOUT tab at the top of your screen!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jessica Robinson says

    September 24, 2019 at 1:00 pm

    5 stars
    Sounds like a delicious option for a gluten-free pasta night! Looks so yummy!

    Reply
    • Cindy Gordon says

      September 24, 2019 at 4:19 pm

      You got it! I hope that you enjoyed!

      Reply
  2. Kristine says

    September 24, 2019 at 1:03 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • Cindy Gordon says

      September 24, 2019 at 4:19 pm

      So glad you loved the Vegetarian Spaghetti Sauce, Kristine! So great to hear!

      Reply
  3. Gloria says

    September 24, 2019 at 1:05 pm

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
    • Cindy Gordon says

      September 24, 2019 at 4:19 pm

      100% agree with that Gloria!

      Reply
  4. Lisa Bryan says

    September 24, 2019 at 2:32 pm

    I love a good spaghetti, especially if it’s made from chickpeas! Great idea.

    Reply
    • Cindy Gordon says

      September 24, 2019 at 4:19 pm

      Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy the chickpea pasta and vegetarian spaghetti sauce as much as we do!

      Reply
  5. Romina says

    September 24, 2019 at 2:48 pm

    5 stars
    This looks super tasty! I’ve never had chickpea pasta before!

    Reply
    • Cindy Gordon says

      September 24, 2019 at 4:18 pm

      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!

      Reply

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