Spaghetti Sauce Without Meat

In the same way you labor over a bolognese, might we recommend taking the same approach to a spaghetti sauce without meat? Using fresh tomatoes from your garden or the farmer’s market is an incredible place to start. We toss fresh tomatoes, seasonings, aromatics, herbs and brown sugar in a Dutch oven and let it simmer until it all breaks down. Then you can store the sauce in jars and keep it in your fridge whenever you need a delicious marinara.

Spaghetti Sauce Without Meat Ingredients

• Vegetables: To create the base of this sauce, we stew together tomatoes, onions and garlic and you can add fresh basil if you like.
• Seasonings: To upgrade the flavor of this sauce, we sprinkle in bay leaves, salt, oregano, pepper and dried basil.
• Tomato paste: We add a scoop of tomato paste to enhance the flavor and thicken the consistency of this sauce.
• Brown sugar: To balance the tomatoes’ tart flavors, we add some brown sugar.

Directions

Step 1: Saute the onions

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In a Dutch oven, saute the onions in oil until tender.

Step 2: Begin to assemble 

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Next, add the tomatoes, garlic, bay leaves, salt, oregano, pepper and dried basil. Bring everything to a boil. Then, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for two hours. Stir occasionally.

Step 3: Finish the stew the sauce

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Next, add the tomato paste and brown sugar and simmer uncovered for one hour. Discard the bay leaves. Serve with pasta and, if desired, minced fresh basil.

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Spaghetti Sauce Without Meat Recipe Variations

• Add meat: While this sauce tastes delicious on its own, feel free to add ground beef, turkey or sausage while cooking.
• Use canned tomatoes: You can certainly use canned crushed tomatoes in this recipe instead of fresh tomatoes.
• Add some wine: Pour in some day-old red wine to upgrade the flavor of this sauce.

How to Store Spaghetti Sauce Without Meat

First, allow your sauce to come to room temperature. Then, divide it into smaller portions and store it in an airtight container. Refrigerate the leftovers for three to four days.

Can you make this recipe for spaghetti sauce without meat ahead of time?

You can prepare a batch of this sauce in advance to get a head start on meal prep. That way, you can add it to all kinds of meals. Follow the recipe and then store it in the refrigerator for three to four days and easily warm it up for a quick and delicious meal.

Can you freeze this spaghetti sauce without meat?

We love this recipe because you can freeze it for two to three months. Consider freezing the sauce in large silicone ice trays to simplify the reheating process. This way, you can easily pop out the cubes and melt them in a saucepan when it’s time to eat.

How long does this recipe for spaghetti sauce without meat last?

You can store this sauce in the refrigerator for three to four days or in the freezer for two to three months. To ensure the freshest taste, do not exceed these storage times.

Spaghetti Sauce Without Meat Tips

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What type of tomatoes do you recommend for this recipe?

There are all kinds of tomatoes and you can use practically any type for this recipe. We recommend Roma or San Marzano because they stew deliciously into a hearty sauce.

Can you cook this spaghetti sauce in a crockpot?

You can make a delicious spaghetti sauce using a slow cooker. Follow the recipe instructions and once it’s ready switch the slow cooker to the keep-warm setting to avoid overcooking it.

What can I serve this spaghetti sauce without meat with?

Once you have a batch of this spaghetti sauce you can pour it into all kinds of meals. You can mix it into a bolognese, lasagna or arrabbiata pasta. Or lather it on a chicken or eggplant Parmesan. It’ll also shine on a meatball sub or grilled cheese made with mozzarella.