Vegan Pasta Sauce
This easy vegan pasta sauce simmers crushed tomatoes with onion, garlic and toasted tomato paste for 20 to 25 minutes, then finishes with fresh basil and a little nutritional yeast for a savory, cheese-like depth. It is dairy-free, takes 35 minutes and makes about 4 cups.
Quick answer
Cook 1 diced onion in 3 tbsp olive oil for 5 minutes, add 4 cloves garlic for 1 minute, then toast 3 tbsp tomato paste for 2 minutes. Add 2 cans (28 oz) crushed tomatoes and ½ tsp oregano and simmer uncovered 20 to 25 minutes. Stir in 2 tbsp nutritional yeast and torn basil, and season.
Vegan Pasta Sauce
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Vegan Pasta Sauce Ingredients
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 (28 oz) cans crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, torn
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- Optional: 1/2 tsp sugar, only if the tomatoes taste sharp
How to Make Vegan Pasta Sauce
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook about 5 minutes, stirring now and then, until soft and translucent.
- Add the garlic and cook 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook 2 minutes, until it darkens slightly.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, oregano and red pepper flakes, if using. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Lower the heat and simmer uncovered 20 to 25 minutes, stirring now and then, until thickened.
- Taste. If it is sharp or acidic, stir in the sugar.
- Off the heat, stir in the nutritional yeast and basil. Season with salt and pepper and toss with hot pasta.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (1 of 4, about 1 cup sauce, without pasta) (estimated)
- Calories: 250
- Total fat: 11 g
- Saturated fat: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Sugar: 20 g
- Protein: 8 g
Estimated from USDA FoodData Central values: SR Legacy for the tomatoes, oil and vegetables, and USDA Branded Foods (FDC 2676401) for nutritional yeast. The optional pepper flakes and sugar, and salt to taste, are not included. The sugar is the tomatoes’ own. Actual values vary with brands.
What Makes Vegan Pasta Sauce Taste Rich Without Cheese
Three steps build flavor. Cooking the onion until soft gives sweetness, toasting the tomato paste deepens it, and a 20-minute simmer takes the raw edge off the tomatoes. Nutritional yeast adds the savory, slightly nutty note that parmesan usually brings.
| Ingredient | Why it is there | Swap |
|---|---|---|
| Crushed tomatoes | Thick, smooth base | Whole peeled tomatoes, crushed by hand |
| Toasted tomato paste | Deeper, rounder flavor | Skip it and simmer 10 minutes longer |
| Nutritional yeast | Savory, cheese-like taste | A spoonful of white miso |
| Fresh basil | Fresh, sweet herb finish | 1 tsp dried basil, added with the oregano |
Homemade vs. Jarred Marinara
Half a cup of ready-to-serve marinara has about 66 calories and 580 mg sodium, according to USDA FoodData Central. The same amount of this sauce has about 125 calories, mostly from the olive oil, and about 375 mg sodium before you add salt, so you control how salty it ends up. Most jarred marinara is dairy-free too, but read the label for cheese.
| ½ cup | Calories | Sodium | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|
| This recipe (before salt) | about 125 | about 375 mg | about 4.5 g |
| Jarred marinara (FDC 171192) | 66 | 577 mg | 2.4 g |
Ways to Use Vegan Pasta Sauce
Toss it with spaghetti or penne, spread it on our thin-crust pizza base, or use it in baked pasta. For a creamier sauce, stir in a few spoonfuls of the pasta cooking water or a splash of unsweetened oat milk. If you are mincing a lot of garlic, our guide on how to chop garlic makes it quick.
Storing and Freezing Vegan Pasta Sauce
Cool the sauce and refrigerate it in a covered container within 2 hours. Use it within 3 to 4 days, the FoodSafety.gov window for cooked soups and stews, or freeze it in portions for 2 to 3 months. Reheat until it bubbles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is regular pasta sauce vegan?
Many jarred tomato sauces are, but some contain cheese or other dairy. Check the ingredient list, or make this one so you know exactly what is in it.
What can I use instead of nutritional yeast?
A teaspoon of white miso stirred in at the end gives a similar savory depth. You can also leave it out; the sauce will be slightly lighter.
How do I make the sauce less acidic?
Simmer it longer, toast the tomato paste well, and add the optional ½ teaspoon of sugar only if it still tastes sharp.
Can I make vegan pasta sauce with fresh tomatoes?
Yes. Use about 4 lb of ripe plum tomatoes, peeled and chopped, and simmer 35 to 45 minutes until thick.
Is vegan pasta sauce gluten-free?
The sauce itself contains no gluten. Check the nutritional yeast label and serve it with gluten-free pasta if needed.
Sources
Featured photo: Unsplash
