Vegetable Spaghetti Sauce
Description
This vibrant vegetable spaghetti sauce transforms simple garden produce into a deeply flavorful, rustic Italian-inspired dish. By slowly simmering carrots, peppers, cauliflower, and broccoli with garlic and fresh herbs, the vegetables break down into a thick, hearty consistency that coats pasta beautifully. The addition of red wine and tomato paste adds depth and a savory umami kick, balancing the natural sweetness of the carrots and onions. It is a satisfying, plant-based meal perfect for cozy weeknight dinners or batch cooking for the week ahead.Ingredients
Directions
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Prepare all vegetables by chopping carrots, red pepper, green pepper, cauliflower, celery, onion, and broccoli into small, uniform pieces.
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Mince the garlic cloves finely.
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In a large pot, heat about 1/2 cup of dry red wine over medium-high heat until boiling.
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Add the sliced carrots to the boiling wine and stir vigorously until the liquid evaporates and the bottom of the pot becomes slightly dry.
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Deglaze the pan with a small amount of red wine, scraping up any browned bits, and repeat this process until the carrots begin to soften.
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Add the chopped onion, celery, red pepper, green pepper, cauliflower, and broccoli to the pot.
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Continue to sauté, adding small splashes of red wine as needed to prevent burning, keeping the vegetables moving and stirring constantly.
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Once the vegetables are slightly softened, add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
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Stir in the ground tomatoes and tomato paste.
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Rinse the tomato cans with the remaining red wine and pour the rinses into the pot to capture all the flavor.
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Add the fresh basil, crushed rosemary, oregano, cilantro (or parsley), chicken base (or vegetable bouillon), black pepper, and hot red pepper flakes.
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Stir everything together thoroughly, cover the pot, and reduce the heat to low so the sauce simmers gently.
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Cook uncovered for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until all vegetables are very tender and the sauce has thickened.
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Pass the sauce through a food mill or blend with an immersion blender to achieve a smooth puree.
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Return the pureed sauce to the pot, bring to a gentle boil, adjust seasonings with salt and pepper if needed.
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Cover and let simmer for an additional 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
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Serve hot over cooked spaghetti.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 2 cups
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 82.2kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 0.7g2%
- Saturated Fat 0.0g0%
- Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
- Sodium 84.3mg4%
- Total Carbohydrate 18.2g7%
- Dietary Fiber 6.1g25%
- Sugars 7.5g
- Protein 4.2g9%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.