Veggie Deluxe Spaghetti Sauce

This Veggie Deluxe Spaghetti Sauce is a creative twist on traditional marinara, using mashed tofu to create a rich, meaty texture without the animal products. The sauce is loaded with aromatic herbs like basil and thyme, earthy sunflower seeds, and a colorful medley of carrots, broccoli, zucchini, and mushrooms. It offers a robust, savory flavor profile that stands up beautifully to hearty whole grain pasta. Perfect for weeknight dinners, this dish is quick to prepare and delivers a comforting, home-style experience. It's an excellent option for vegetarians, vegans, or anyone looking to incorporate more vegetables into their diet. Serve it hot over spaghetti or penne for a complete, satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy.

Cooking Method: Boiling, Stewing, Stir Frying

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Courses: Sauces & Condiments

Difficulty: Intermediate

Servings: 6

Calories: 154.5

Dietary: Vegan, Vegetarian

Description

This Veggie Deluxe Spaghetti Sauce is a creative twist on traditional marinara, using mashed tofu to create a rich, meaty texture without the animal products. The sauce is loaded with aromatic herbs like basil and thyme, earthy sunflower seeds, and a colorful medley of carrots, broccoli, zucchini, and mushrooms. It offers a robust, savory flavor profile that stands up beautifully to hearty whole grain pasta. Perfect for weeknight dinners, this dish is quick to prepare and delivers a comforting, home-style experience. It's an excellent option for vegetarians, vegans, or anyone looking to incorporate more vegetables into their diet. Serve it hot over spaghetti or penne for a complete, satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy.

Directions

1
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Drop the mashed tofu into the boiling water.
2
Cook the tofu for 1 minute, then drain into a colander lined with a clean dishtowel.
3
Run cold water over the tofu briefly to cool it, then twist the towel and press firmly to squeeze out excess water until the tofu has a firm, ground-beef-like texture.
4
Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy kettle or Dutch oven over medium heat.
5
Add the chopped onions, thinly sliced carrots, and broccoli florets. Stir-fry for about 5 minutes until slightly softened.
6
Add the sliced zucchini, sliced mushrooms, minced garlic, basil, thyme, oregano, celery seed, and ground cloves.
7
Stir for a couple of minutes to combine flavors, then cover the kettle and cook over medium heat until the vegetables are tender but still crisp, stirring occasionally.
8
Add the pressed tofu, coarsely ground sunflower seeds, and tamari to the vegetables. Stir for 1 minute over medium heat.
9
Stir in the canned tomatoes, tomato paste, and maple or rice syrup. Simmer uncovered for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
10
Serve the sauce hot over whole grain pasta.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 6 servings

Amount Per Serving
Calories 154.5kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 11.6g18%
Saturated Fat 1.6g8%
Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
Sodium 62.2mg3%
Total Carbohydrate 12.5g5%
Dietary Fiber 3.7g15%
Sugars 4.9g
Protein 2.5g5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/veggie-deluxe-spaghetti-sauce/