Vegetarian Tomato Meat Sauce
Bursting with rich, savory flavors, this Vegetarian Tomato Meat Sauce is a plant-based twist on the classic comfort food staple. Featuring hearty plant-based ground meat and a medley of finely chopped vegetables like onion, carrot, and celery, the sauce is perfectly balanced with aromatic garlic, dried herbs, and a hint of sweetness from sugar. Simmered in crushed tomatoes and tomato paste until thickened, this easy-to-make sauce is ideal for pasta dishes, lasagnas, or as a versatile topping for roasted vegetables. Ready in under an hour, it delivers bold flavor without the meat, making it a crowd-pleasing option for vegetarians and beyond. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a wholesome family favorite, this recipe is sure to become a go-to for your kitchen repertoire!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 medium carrot, finely diced
- 1 celery stalk, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 12 ounces plant-based ground meat
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (canned)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 0.25 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- salt, to taste
- ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan or skillet over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion, carrot, and celery to the pan. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and fragrant.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, being careful not to burn the garlic.
Add the plant-based ground meat to the pan. Cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until it is browned and cooked through.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes to slightly caramelize it.
Add the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, crushed red pepper flakes, and sugar to the pan. Stir well to combine.
Lower the heat to a simmer and let the sauce cook for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken.
Season the sauce with salt and ground black pepper to taste towards the end of cooking.
Optional: Garnish the sauce with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Serve the sauce over your favorite pasta, use it in a lasagna, or enjoy it as a topping for roasted vegetables.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
221 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 14.0 g | 18% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.8 g | 19% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 443 mg | 19% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 17.6 g | 6% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.3 g | 15% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.8 g | ||
| Protein | 11.9 g | 24% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 63 mg | 5% | |
| Iron | 3.3 mg | 18% | |
| Potassium | 558 mg | 12% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
