Veggie Marinara Sauce
This hearty and wholesome Veggie Marinara Sauce is a vibrant blend of fresh vegetables and rich tomato flavors, perfect for elevating your favorite pasta dinners. Featuring a medley of diced zucchini, red bell pepper, carrot, celery, and aromatic onions and garlic, this sauce is simmered to perfection with crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and classic Italian seasonings like oregano and basil. With just 15 minutes of prep and a quick 30-minute cook time, this versatile sauce is not only packed with nutrients but also incredibly easy to make. Serve it over spaghetti, use it as a pizza base, or pair it with crusty bread for a satisfying meal. Whether you’re looking for a plant-based alternative or a way to sneak more veggies into dinner, this homemade marinara is a flavorful and healthy option the whole family will love!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium carrot, finely diced
- 1 celery stalk, finely diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or basil (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan or skillet over medium heat.
Add the diced onions and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the finely diced carrot, celery, red bell pepper, and zucchini to the pan. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, and dried basil. Mix well to combine.
Lower the heat to a simmer and add the sugar (if using), salt, and black pepper. Stir to incorporate.
Cover the saucepan and let the sauce simmer gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld together and the vegetables to tenderize completely.
Taste test and adjust the seasoning as needed with additional salt or pepper.
Serve the sauce over your favorite pasta, as a pizza base, or alongside breadsticks. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or basil, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
654 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 31.3 g | 40% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.7 g | 24% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 3431 mg | 149% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 91.0 g | 33% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 23.4 g | 84% | |
| Total Sugars | 57.2 g | ||
| Protein | 17.8 g | 36% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 351 mg | 27% | |
| Iron | 10.3 mg | 57% | |
| Potassium | 4162 mg | 89% | |
*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.
