Hearty Vegetable Spaghetti Sauce
This vibrant Hearty Vegetable Spaghetti Sauce is a perfect way to savor garden-fresh flavors while using up your abundant tomatoes. Brimming with a medley of sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, carrots, and bell peppers, this robust sauce is simmered to perfection, allowing each ingredient to release its natural flavors. The absence of meat makes it a wholesome option for vegetarians, and without any cheese, it remains a versatile base for any dish. Cook it in batches to freeze and enjoy a taste of summer all year round, just toss it with your favorite cooked spaghetti for a quick and satisfying meal.
N/A
Servings
253
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
Fresh mushrooms
4 cups (sliced)
Medium carrots
3 (coarsely chopped)
Celery
1 cup (chopped)
Onion
1 cup (chopped)
Green pepper
1/2 cup (chopped)
Sweet red pepper
1/2 cup (chopped)
Garlic cloves
4 (minced)
Vegetable oil
1/4 cup (for sautéing)
Crushed tomatoes
56 ounces (canned)
Tomato sauce
30 ounces (canned)
Tomato paste
12 ounces (canned)
Beef broth
1 cup (or vegetable broth for vegetarian version)
Dried basil
2 teaspoons (dried)
Dried oregano
2 teaspoons (dried)
Brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons (for sweetness)
Salt
1 teaspoon (for seasoning)
Pepper
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
Parmesan cheese
1 cup (grated (optional, can be omitted))
Cooked spaghetti
as needed (for serving)
Instructions
1
In a large Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms, chopped carrots, chopped celery, chopped onion, green and sweet red peppers, and minced garlic.
2
Sauté the vegetables for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are softened and fragrant.
3
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and beef broth.
4
Add the dried basil, dried oregano, brown sugar, salt, and pepper to the pot. Mix well to combine all ingredients.
5
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot.
6
Let the sauce simmer for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to allow the flavors to meld.
7
Serve the sauce hot over a bed of freshly cooked spaghetti.
Nutrition Information
8
Fat
45
Carbs
3.2
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Vegetable Spaghetti Sauce?
It is a vibrant, meatless sauce filled with sautéed mushrooms, carrots, and bell peppers, simmered with tomatoes and herbs.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, it can be vegetarian if you use vegetable broth instead of beef broth as suggested in the ingredients.
How many calories are in Hearty Vegetable Spaghetti Sauce?
There are 253 calories per serving.
Can I freeze this spaghetti sauce?
Yes, it is designed to be cooked in batches and frozen so you can enjoy garden-fresh flavors all year round.
What vegetables are used in this recipe?
The sauce includes fresh mushrooms, carrots, celery, onion, green peppers, and sweet red peppers.
How long should I sauté the vegetables?
You should sauté the vegetables for about 10 minutes until they are softened and fragrant.
How long does the sauce need to simmer?
The sauce should simmer for approximately 1 hour on low heat to allow the flavors to meld.
What is the fat content of this sauce?
The recipe contains 8 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 45 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Is there any protein in this vegetable sauce?
Yes, it contains 3.2 grams of protein per serving.
What types of tomato products are required?
You will need 56 ounces of crushed tomatoes, 30 ounces of tomato sauce, and 12 ounces of tomato paste.
Can I use beef broth in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe calls for 1 cup of beef broth, or vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
How much garlic is needed?
The recipe requires 4 minced garlic cloves.
What dried herbs are used for seasoning?
The sauce is seasoned with 2 teaspoons of dried basil and 2 teaspoons of dried oregano.
Why is brown sugar added to the sauce?
Brown sugar is added to provide a touch of sweetness that balances the acidity of the tomatoes.
Is cheese mandatory for this recipe?
No, 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese is optional and can be omitted if you prefer a dairy-free sauce.
How many mushrooms should I use?
The recipe calls for 4 cups of sliced fresh mushrooms.
What is the best way to serve this sauce?
Serve the sauce hot over a bed of freshly cooked spaghetti.
What equipment do I need to cook this?
A large Dutch oven is recommended for sautéing the vegetables and simmering the sauce.
How many ingredients are in the Hearty Vegetable Spaghetti Sauce?
There are 19 ingredients in total, including optional items like Parmesan cheese.
Does this recipe contain meat?
No, the absence of meat makes it a wholesome option for vegetarians.
What kind of oil should I use for sautéing?
The recipe recommends 1/4 cup of vegetable oil.
How many carrots are needed?
You will need 3 medium carrots, coarsely chopped.
Can I use garden-fresh tomatoes?
Yes, the description highlights this recipe as a perfect way to use up abundant garden-fresh tomatoes.
Is this recipe easy to make?
Yes, it is categorized as an easy recipe that is quick and satisfying when tossed with spaghetti.
How do I prevent the sauce from sticking to the pot?
Simmer the sauce on low heat and stir occasionally while it is covered.
How much celery is required?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of chopped celery.
What type of peppers should I add?
Use 1/2 cup of chopped green pepper and 1/2 cup of chopped sweet red pepper.
Is this recipe suitable for batch cooking?
Yes, it is recommended to cook it in batches to freeze for later use.
What is the primary flavor profile of this sauce?
It is a robust and savory sauce with natural sweetness from carrots and brown sugar, accented by garlic and Italian herbs.