If you're looking for the best vegetable pasta sauce, this is it! Stocked full of healthy veggies and filled with flavor, this one stop meal will be a family favorite!
This post was originally published on April 9, 2015.
I love creating veggie filled pasta dinners, like my vegetable bolognese and my vegetable pasta fagioli. This new veggie pasta sauce is the perfect addition to my collection!
You can also use this in other recipes like my vegetable lasagna or my vegan pesto and sausage lasagna to up the nutrition even more!
How to Make Vegetable Pasta Sauce
As if getting the family to eat loads of veggies wasn't a win enough, this recipe is also amazing because it's ready in 35 minutes! Perfect for throwing together any time you need to use up a bunch of produce.
Ingredients
- Carrots
- Celery
- Cauliflower
- Garlic
- White cooking wine
- Fresh tomatoes
- Veggie broth
- Seasonings
Step by Step Instructions
- Sauté chopped veggies.
- Add tomatoes, veggie broth, and all spices.
- Mix well and simmer.
Serving Suggestions
Spoon this sauce over your favorite pasta and top with Vegan Parmesan for added flavor! Since there's so many veggies you can enjoy this as a complete meal. However, it would also be great with these side dishes:
- Caesar Salad
- Lemon Kale Salad
- Asparagus Fries
- Baked Eggplant Fries
- Or serve this sauce over homemade gnocchi!
Preparation Tips
- I love using fresh tomatoes but if pressed for time the jarred work as well. Fresh make more of a chunky sauce, where jarred is more of a thick saucy sauce.
- You may use more veggie broth if using fresh tomatoes, depending on how “saucy” you want it.
- The amount of veggie broth made depends on how much liquid cooks off. The more you allow it to simmer, the more liquid cooks off.
- If you really don't want to use the wine, just add more broth, but the flavor will not be as tasty.
- Fresh or dried herbs may be used, you will need more fresh since dried has a stronger flavor.
- Add in chickpeas for added protein.
Prepping Ahead Tips
By doing a little work in advance you can save some time when you're ready to finish the sauce.
- Wash and chop carrots, celery, cauliflower and garlic. Place in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days in advance.
- If you are using fresh tomatoes purée them and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
- You can also chop and refrigerate the fresh herbs if you're using them.
Storing Tips
- Place leftover vegetable pasta sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.
- You can also seal it in a freezer-safe container or ziptop bag and freeze it for up to 3 months.
- Reheating on the stovetop is recommended, but you can also quickly microwave it.
Common Questions
Use them up in recipes like this pasta sauce! It's easy to sneak veggies into yummy recipes like vegan taquitos, healthy hamburger helper, and even nacho cheese sauce!
There are so many sauces you can use to add flavor to your favorite pasta including pesto, cheese sauce, bechamel, bolognese, or alfredo.
Sprinkle in fresh herbs for a punch of flavor. Add in extra veggies, spinach and zucchini mix in well without much affect on taste. Wine or balsamic vinegar are also nice flavor boosters.
More Vegan Pasta Sauce Recipes
Pasta is an excellent family friendly meal that's easy to put together. Here are more veggie packed plant based sauces to dress up your favorite noodles:
The Best Vegetable Pasta Sauce
Equipment
- Blender , as another option
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups finely chopped carrots , about 3 medium sized carrots
- 1 cup finely chopped celery , about 2 sticks of celery
- 1 ¼ cups finely chopped cauliflower
- 4-6 cloves fresh garlic , adjust for your preference
- ½ cup white cooking wine , or sub with veggie broth
- 8 large fresh tomatoes , or 18 ounces jarred or boxed crushed tomatoes
- ½ - 1 cup veggie broth , low sodium if needed (may need more if using fresh tomatoes)
- 2 teaspoons dried basil , or 2 tablespoons fresh
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper , optional
Additional protein option:
- 1 ½ cups chickpeas , rinsed and drained (about one 15 ounce can)
To serve:
Instructions
- Chop carrots, celery and cauliflower in a food processor until chunky but not pasty. It’s best to chop separately. Put into a large bowl and set aside. If using chickpeas, chop those too.
- If using fresh tomatoes, chop them in the food processor.
- Chop garlic and add to a sauté pan with the white wine. Saute until garlic is browned well.
- Add other chopped veggies (add chickpeas if using) to the pan and sauté for a few minutes.
- Add tomatoes, veggie broth, and all spices. Mix well and bring to a simmer.
- Cover and simmer for about 20-30 minutes. Add more broth as it cooks if too much liquid evaporates and you prefer it saucier. You can simmer for longer to get deeper flavor.
- Serve with your favorite pasta! Top with Grateable Parmesan.
Notes
- You can clean out the veggies in your fridge by using what you have on hand. Just make sure it is about the same amount total of veggies. The recipe is very forgiving so taste and adjust as needed.
- I love using fresh tomatoes but jarred work as well. Fresh make more of a chunky sauce, where jarred is more of a thick saucy sauce.
- You may use more veggie broth if using fresh tomatoes, depending on how “saucy” you want it. Fresh or dried herbs may be used, you will need more fresh since dried has a stronger flavor.
- The amount of veggie broth made depends on how much liquid cooks off. The more you allow it to simmer, the more liquid cooks off.
- If you really don't want to use the wine, just add more broth, but the flavor will not be as tasty.
- This recipe makes a little over 7 cups, serving size 1 ¼ cup.
- Wash and chop carrots, celery, cauliflower and garlic. Puree fresh tomatoes and chop fresh herbs if using.
- Make sure to chop into a finer grain size. Cook well. Serve over anything! Make sure younger babies are read for tomato.
Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.
Nutrition
Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.
Katie
I was really impressed with this! I am doing the weekly vegan meal plan and was least excited about this thinking it would be plain or boring but the sauce just blew me and my husband away! We have so much left over sauce because there are just 2 of us and I was having a hard time adjusting the recipes for 2. Is this still as tasty after being frozen? Is it OK to freeze and defrost and then use only a portion and refreeze the rest? LOVE THIS SAUCE!!! I'm running out of small tupperware lol
veggiesdontbite
That's awesome to hear!! So happy you guys liked it. Funny enough it was an accidental creation that turned out really good. I would definitely freeze some, it should freeze like regular pasta sauce. Defrost it on the counter them slowly warm it in a pot to reduce as it may have extra water since it is all veggies. Thank you so much for letting me know!
Kym
Where can I find a spoon like that? Awesome
veggiesdontbite
Thank you! I had it custom made for my blog by For Such a Time Designs.
Amber
This looks fantastic! And, definitely going to have to try the hemp almond parmesan! 🙂
veggiesdontbite
Thank you so much Amber! The sauce is an awesome way to get veggies in! And the hemp almond parmesan is SOOOO good!!! I also have another parmesan on my blog that's good too. I make a big bowl and keep it in the fridge for use any time. Let me know if you try and thanks so much for being here!
Rebecca M
I havent had pasta in so long, but this recipe is making me want to make some for dinner! Yumm thank you 😀
veggiesdontbite
Thanks so much Rebecca! It's full of veggies so a great choice for having pasta again!
Michele
Wow! I was looking for a new pasta sauce recipe just yesterday! This one looks delicious, can't wait to give it a try!
veggiesdontbite
Thank you so much Michele! I can't wait for you to try it!! It's really easy and tastes so good. Let me know when you make it, I love hearing from you and how things turn out!!
Kelly F
Yum!! This looks delicious...I have been looking for a new pasta sauce recipe! Thanks for sharing this-can't wait to try!! 🙂
veggiesdontbite
Thank you Kelly!! It's pretty easy to make too. Let me know how it turns out! I love hearing reader feedback!
Natalie @ Feasting on Fruit
Wow I can't imagine trying to talk someone else through making the jibber jabber recipe ideas in my head! Awesome husband for sure!!
I just sent this recipe to my mom because she used to love bolognese/meat sauce and has missed it since going veg. Plus cauliflower is her favorite vegetable, so it's kinda perfect 🙂
veggiesdontbite
Ha Natalie! Right?! It was a challenge for sure. Lol. Thanks so much for the sweet comment. Let me know how your mom likes the recipe!
Natalie @ Feasting on Fruit
My mom just made this sauce last night and LOVED it!! She said she was skeptical as to whether the cauliflower would soften enough and lose that cruciferous crunch, but it did and totally reminded her of meat sauce! Now I just have to get her to make it again while I'm home over the summer 😉
veggiesdontbite
Oh yay!!!!! That totally made my day! So happy she liked it. And really hope she'll make it again for you!!! Thanks so much for letting me know!
Jenn
YUM!!!! I can't wait to try this!!
veggiesdontbite
Thank you so much Jenn! Let me know when you do. I love to hear what people think!
Lucie
Yum! I love the addition of cailiflower - I would never have thought of that! Also the hemp parmesan souns amazing, I always just use sunflower or pumpkin seeds so this would be a perfect way to mix things up 🙂
veggiesdontbite
Thank you so much Lucie! Yes, the cauliflower gives it a great texture. I have another parmesan that uses pumpkin seeds as well but the hemp seeds are one of my favorites! Thanks so much for following!
Bianca @ ElephantasticVegan
It looks so good! Simply perfect! Wonderful photos and it's amazing how you balance family & blogging! Truly inspirational 🙂
veggiesdontbite
Thank you so much Bianca! I try to balance the two. It's hard at times but I love the blogging so I make it work. I definitely want to take it much further one day and make it a true career but for me at this point baby steps is what works. Thanks for following!
Kayse
Ohhhhh, this looks so wonderful. I think I'll try it out this week!!
veggiesdontbite
Thanks so much Kayse! Let me know how it turns out!
The Vegan 8
Looks so incredibly delicious Sophia! Love that it is all made with veggies and not beans! Looks so flavorful and satisfying at the same time. I think after I finish off my latest recipe post of my fat-free mac 'n' cheese, I need to make this!! I have been living off of it the past few days, lol. This looks awesome and healthy...
veggiesdontbite
Thank you Brandi! Lol. Yes, first time I got an awesome consistency without the beans! It was all such an accidental discovery, but so yummy! And it doesn't taste like cauliflower at all. The tomato is the main taste, the veggies just give it the great consistency. My kids love it and I love that they are getting all those veggies in! I definitely need to try your new cheese sauce!
Jenn
Yum!! I make a similar vegan bolognese, but don't use cauliflower, which is silly because I LOVE cauliflower. I will be trying this!
veggiesdontbite
Thanks so much Jenn!! Yes, I have done many bolognese recipes before but this was the first time I got that great consistency without beans. The cauliflower really gives that meaty texture and is awesome in the sauce! Definitely give it a try and let me know what you think!
Ana @ Ana's Rocket Ship
We don't need to make this pasta dish to tell you how awesome it's going to be... we can just tell!
veggiesdontbite
Thanks so much! If you give it a try let me know!
Audrey @ Unconventional Baker
Oh, wow. It's so much simpler than I thought it would be! What a gorgeous recipe too -- adding this to my now ever long list of yumminess to try out 🙂
veggiesdontbite
Thank you so much Audrey! Yes, it's a super simple recipe. We love it and I usually even chop the veggies beforehand so when I make it, it's even quicker! Let me know if you give it a try...I totally get the long list of yumminess. lol!