My Meatless Pasta Sauce
A flavorful, hearty meatless pasta sauce packed with vegetables and herbs, perfect for a quick, healthy, and versatile meal suitable for vegetarians and everyone alike.
Ingredients
- 28 oz. can pastene kitchen ready tomatoes
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped fine ⓘ
- 1/2 cup green pepper, chopped fine ⓘ
- 1/2 cup celery, chopped fine ⓘ
- 1/2 cup carrot, chopped fine
- 4 oz. can mushroom stems and pieces ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon fennel ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon basil ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons sugar ⓘ
- salt to taste ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large saucepan or kettle, combine the kitchen ready tomatoes, chopped onion, green pepper, celery, carrot, mushrooms, fennel, dried parsley, basil, and sugar.
- Add one can of water from the tomato can to the mixture.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
- Reduce the heat and simmer until the sauce reaches your desired thickness.
Tips & Substitutions
For a deeper flavor, consider sautéing the onion, green pepper, celery, and carrot in olive oil before adding them to the sauce. If you don't have fennel, try using a pinch of anise seed or dill as a substitute. To enhance the richness, add a splash of red wine or a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar. This sauce is versatile and can be used for dishes like Pasta With Italian Sauce.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this meatless pasta sauce over your favorite pasta, such as spaghetti or penne, for a hearty meal. It pairs wonderfully with a side of garlic bread or a fresh salad. For an Italian-inspired dinner, consider serving it alongside Easy And Quick Pizza Dough for a delightful combination.
Storage & Reheating
Allow the sauce to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, gently warm it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, or microwave in short intervals until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of My Meatless Pasta Sauce contains roughly 132 calories, with 3g protein, 22g carbohydrates, and 5g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (27% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 713mg per serving (31% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Yes, you can use fresh tomatoes! For this recipe, about 2-3 pounds of fresh, ripe tomatoes should be peeled and chopped. You may need to adjust the cooking time to ensure the sauce thickens properly.
How can I make this sauce spicier?
To add heat to your sauce, incorporate red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to taste during cooking. You can also include diced jalapeños or other spicy peppers for a fresh kick.
Is it possible to make this sauce in advance?
Absolutely! This sauce can be made a day or two ahead to allow the flavors to meld. Just follow the storage instructions to keep it fresh, and reheat gently when ready to serve.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).