Veggie Loaded Tomato Sauce Recipe

Introduction

This Veggie Loaded Tomato Sauce is a flavorful, nutritious twist on classic marinara. Packed with fresh vegetables and herbs, it’s perfect for adding depth to your pasta dishes while sneaking in extra veggies.

Ingredients

• 1 medium carrot, peeled and chopped (approximately 6.5 inches long)
• 1 small zucchini, chopped (about 5 ounces)
• 1 bell pepper (red or orange), seeded and chopped (about 150 grams)
• 1 small onion, chopped (approximately 4 ounces)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 celery stalk, chopped (about 40 grams)
• 2 cans (14 ounces each) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
• Pinch of red pepper flakes (for heat)
• Fresh basil, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion, carrot, celery, zucchini, and bell pepper. Sauté for 8 to 10 minutes until softened.
2. Step 2: Add minced garlic and cook for one minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in tomato paste and cook for one minute to deepen the flavor.
4. Step 4: Add crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, sugar (if using), and red pepper flakes. Bring to a gentle simmer.
5. Step 5: Cover and cook for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are very tender.
6. Step 6: Remove from heat. Use an immersion blender or transfer sauce in batches to a countertop blender and purée until completely smooth.
7. Step 7: Return puréed sauce to low heat and simmer uncovered for 5 to 10 minutes. Adjust seasoning as needed.
8. Step 8: Serve hot over your preferred pasta, garnished with fresh basil if desired.

Tips & Variations

• For a chunkier sauce, blend only half the cooked mixture and stir back in the rest of the vegetables.
• Add a splash of red wine during simmering for deeper flavor.
• Use fresh herbs instead of dried if available—add them towards the end of cooking for brightness.
• Substitute bell pepper with mushrooms for a different texture and earthiness.

Storage

Store cooled sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze in portions for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this sauce ahead of time?

Yes, this sauce actually tastes better after sitting for a day as the flavors meld. Prepare in advance and refrigerate or freeze as needed.

What pasta pairs best with this sauce?

This smooth, veggie-packed tomato sauce works well with any pasta shape—try it with spaghetti, penne, or even stuffed pastas like ravioli for a delicious meal.

Veggie Loaded Tomato Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 364 reviews

This Veggie Loaded Tomato Sauce is a flavorful and nutritious tomato sauce packed with a variety of fresh vegetables. Perfectly seasoned and simmered to tender perfection, then blended smooth for a rich, vibrant sauce. It pairs wonderfully with pasta, offering a wholesome and delicious meal option.

• Author: Bella
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: About 4 to 6 servings 1x
• Category: Sauce
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables

• 1 medium carrot, peeled and chopped (approximately 6.5 inches long)
• 1 small zucchini, chopped (about 5 ounces)
• 1 bell pepper (red or orange), seeded and chopped (about 150 grams)
• 1 small onion, chopped (approximately 4 ounces)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 celery stalk, chopped (about 40 grams)

Tomato Base & Seasonings

• 2 cans (14 ounces each) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
• Pinch of red pepper flakes (for heat)
• Fresh basil, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

1. Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion, carrot, celery, zucchini, and bell pepper. Sauté gently for 8 to 10 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
2. Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one minute, allowing its aroma to develop without burning.
3. Incorporate Tomato Paste: Mix in the tomato paste and cook for an additional minute. This step helps deepen the tomato flavor and adds richness to the sauce.
4. Combine Tomato Base and Seasonings: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and add the dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, sugar (if using), and red pepper flakes. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
5. Simmer Sauce: Cover the saucepan and let the sauce cook for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. The vegetables will become very tender, and the flavors will meld beautifully.
6. Puree the Sauce: Remove the sauce from heat. Using an immersion blender directly in the pot, or transferring the sauce in batches to a countertop blender, puree until completely smooth and silky.
7. Final Simmer and Seasoning: Return the pureed sauce to low heat and simmer uncovered for 5 to 10 minutes to thicken slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
8. Serve: Serve the hot sauce over your preferred pasta, garnished with fresh chopped basil for a bright, fresh finish.

Notes

• Adjust the amount of sugar based on the acidity of the tomatoes used to balance the flavor.
• Use an immersion blender for easier pureeing directly in the pot, but a countertop blender works as well.
• This sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
• Add red pepper flakes according to your heat preference or omit for a milder sauce.
• For a chunkier sauce, blend half the sauce and mix it back in instead of pureeing fully.

Keywords: tomato sauce, vegetarian sauce, veggie loaded sauce, Italian sauce, homemade pasta sauce, healthy tomato sauce