Veggie Sauce for Pasta
Elevate your pasta night with this hearty and nutritious Veggie Sauce for Pasta! Bursting with vibrant flavors and loaded with wholesome vegetables like zucchini, red bell pepper, and carrots, this recipe is a delicious way to pack more plant-based goodness into your meals. Simmered to perfection with aromatic garlic, dried herbs, and rich crushed tomatoes, this sauce offers a comforting, homemade taste that beats anything from a jar. Quick and easy to prepare in under an hour, it’s perfect for busy weeknights yet special enough for a weekend dinner. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and optional Parmesan cheese for a delightful touch. Whether you're catering to vegetarians or simply looking for a healthier pasta sauce alternative, this veggie-packed recipe will quickly become a family favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium carrot, diced
- 1 medium celery stalk, diced
- 1 large red bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Add the diced carrot, celery, and red bell pepper to the pan, cooking for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
Mix in the zucchini and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and add the tomato paste, stirring well to combine.
Season the sauce with dried oregano, dried basil, sugar, salt, and black pepper.
Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Once the vegetables are tender and the sauce has thickened, stir in the fresh parsley.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Serve the veggie sauce over your favorite cooked pasta and top with grated Parmesan cheese (optional).
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
176 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 7.9 g | 10% | |
| Saturated Fat | 1.1 g | 6% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 550 mg | 24% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 25.6 g | 9% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 6.0 g | 22% | |
| Total Sugars | 15.8 g | ||
| Protein | 5.3 g | 11% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 86 mg | 7% | |
| Iron | 1.9 mg | 10% | |
| Potassium | 1030 mg | 22% | |
*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.
