Veggie Spaghetti Sauce

In the mood for Italian tonight? Veg out with this homemade spaghetti sauce that’s prepared with fresh produce. It’s the perfect recipe for meatless Mondays. You’ll get a flavorful bang for fewer bucks.

Course Pasta, Pasta, Rice & Grains, Salsa
Cuisine Continental

Servings 6 servings
Calories 3419.74 kcal

Ingredients

  

  • 2 teaspoon(s) dried basil leaves
  • 1 teaspoon(s) dried oregano leaves
  • 1 teaspoon(s) anise or fennel seeds, crushed
  • 2 large bay leaves
  • 2 tablespoon(s) extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 large onions, finely minced
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and finely minced
  • 8 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 2 (6-oz.) cans tomato paste
  • 1 large red or green bell pepper, finely minced
  • 2 large celery ribs, finely chopped
  • 6 small zucchini, finely minced
  • 28 ounce(s) can crushed Roma tomatoes, undrained
  • 3 cup(s) water
  • 1 tablespoon(s) worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon(s) soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon(s) dried parsley
  • 2 teaspoon(s) kosher or coarse salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon(s) freshly ground pepper, or to taste
  • 12 ounce(s) fresh mushrooms, sliced or use canned mushrooms
  • 1 Premium Spaghetti pasta (Cook the pasta al dente according to package directions)
  • 1 Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for sprinkling (optional)

Instructions

 

  • In small bowl combine the basil leaves, oregano leaves, anise or fennel seeds and bay leaf; set aside.
  • Prepare the garlic, onion, carrot, bell pepper, celery and zucchini; Set aside.
  • (If you have a food processor, using it will speed things up and be easier.
  • Be careful not to over-process).
  • In a large cooking pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat and add onions.
  • Cook onions until they begin to soften, then reduce heat to a low simmer and cook for at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally, to caramelize the onions.
  • This is one of the most important elements of this sauce, it’s the source of its rich flavour.
  • Caramelizing onions correctly requires patience, rushing it produces an inferior bitter taste.
  • After 1 hour cooking time, add the carrots and caramelize them together with the onions.
  • Add the garlic and cook over medium heat for one minute, stirring constantly, then add the reserved spice mixture, cooking and stirring for 30 seconds.
  • Add the tomato paste and cook about 2 minutes while stirring constantly.
  • Add the remaining prepared vegetables and continue to cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Add the crushed tomatoes, water, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, salt, pepper and the parsley leaves.
  • Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for at least 3 to 4 hours.
  • Add the sliced mushrooms to the sauce about 10 minutes before the end of the cooking time, or if you prefer your mushrooms cooked limp, add during the last 2 hours cooking time.
  • To serve, ladle the sauce over hot cooked pasta and top with a sprinkling with the Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 3419.74kcalCarbohydrates: 684gProtein: 176.1gFat: 60.57gSaturated Fat: 10.91gCholesterol: 24.3mgSodium: 17618.64mgFiber: 165.32gSugar: 385.74g

Keyword Dinner Parties, Kosher, Tomato
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