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    Home » recipes » entree » pasta » Chunky Veggie Pasta Sauce

    by Kathy Patalsky · updated: May 5, 2020 · published: Jul 19, 2019 · About 5 minutes to read this article. Leave a Comment

    Chunky Veggie Pasta Sauce

    Jump to Recipe
    vegan chunky marinara pasta entree

    If you follow me on Instagram stories, you may have noticed that I have been on a pasta kick the past month. My go-to dinner being pasta – all fluffy and tender with rich yummy tomato sauce coating every pasta-y crevice – vegan Parm on top and served in my fave cozy bowl. And on the side, some sort of veggie or giant salad. I will sometimes add veggie meatballs or sausage to my pasta too. So today, my Chunky Veggie Pasta Sauce recipe..

    Homemade Sauce.

    And on those super busy nights, a bottle of pre-made marinara sauce is easy and great. But when I have the time, like anything, I much prefer to make my sauce from scratch. And today’s Chunky Summer Veggie Pasta Sauce is my go-to tomato sauce when I want a chunky texture and a few veggies in every bite.

    vegan pasta dinner

    For this marinara sauce recipe, I am using in-season zucchini as my veggie, but you could easily swap with mushrooms, carrots, bell pepper or whatever veggies you have on hand.

    So boil some pasta and simmer this sauce for a one-bowl meal worth turning on the stove for…

    ..dishes by East Fork.

    jar of homemade sauce

    It’s all in the sauce…

    I seriously need a pasta sauce that I can eat by the spoonful because it is my favorite part of pasta night. This marinara sauce is just that! Chunky and totally spoonable.

    There are three vegan cheeses that I like on pasta. The Follow Your Heart shreds. The Galaxy vegan Parm crumbles. Or my DIY walnut-nooch cheese. Or go cheese free. Some fresh basil or toasted pumpkin seeds would also be nice on top. A few fresh capers adds a pop of color and brininess.

    So what about these ingredients?

    • – capers: I love the salty, punchy flavor a few capers add to sauce. I also love them on pizza! They have this fragrant briny flavor that I just adore.
    • – olives: similar to the capers, salty and punch of flavor – you could use just one or the other too.
    • – zucchini: seasonal veggie. You could sub with mushrooms or pepper or even kale or spinach. Carrots or even corn also work! add veggies that add texture and some color too.
    • – EVOO: the dreamy ingredient to bring some smooth body and richness to your sauce. You can start with just three tablespoons and add more as you crave it. Many store-bought sauces are heavy handed on the oil and salt, so if you want to achieve that sort of oomph, don’t be shy with those two ingredients. But if you want something lighter, stay light on the EVOO.
    • – bay leaf: I always add a bay leaf to my sauce or soup. It adds a zingy depth of flavor that I can only really describe as a hum of flavor.
    • – spices: I used a dry seasoning blend. It included oregano, marjoram, thyme, basil, rosemary and sage.
    • – tomatoes: I prefer San Marzano for their rich red color and flavor, but you can use any organic tomatoes you’d like.
    • – vegan sausage: This is optional, but I love the flavor and ‘meatiness’ that a Field Roast sausage adds to my sauce. It really makes it feel more like a meal. You could also play around with adding lentils or beans.
    • – garlic: Always add more garlic if you are a garlic-lover like me! I used six large chunks, but could’ve easily added six more. Yes, I love garlic that much.
    • – nutritional yeast: totally optional, but it adds a cheesy depth of flavor and a few added nutrients like B vitamins.

    You could call this a marinara sauce if you’d like because it’s all veggies and a tomato base. Pasta sauce, marinara sauce, your call.

    chunky marinara sauce

    Really, this sauce tastes even better the next day because all the flavors marinate just a bit more and the sauce reduces a bit. Yummy on day one, extra yummy on day two. And if you have leftovers, you can chill for a few days or freezer for next week.

    chunky tomato sauce in pot

    I used Rigatoni pasta with my chunky pasta sauce because I think it just looks so pretty in giant floppy shapes, the sauce wiggling into the noodles. But any pasta will work!

    marinara sauce chunky

    Chunky Veggie Pasta

    This chunky, colorful, veggie-filled marinara sauce is perfect on your fave pasta for an easy, delicious plant-based meal.
    4.98 from 76 votes
    click the stars to rate
    Print Pin
    Prep: 5 mins
    Cook: 30 mins
    Total: 35 mins
    Servings: 6

    Ingredients

    • 6 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
    • 6 cloves garlic, chopped
    • 1 cup zucchini, chopped
    • 2 oz black olives, sliced
    • 2 tablespoon capers
    • 1 vegan sausage, chopped – I used Field Roast Italian flavor — optional
    • 2 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning blend, salt-free
    • 2-4 tablespoon nutritional yeast, optional
    • 28 oz can of diced tomatoes, San Marzano used
    • 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes, San Marzano used
    • 1 bay leaf
    • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
    • start with a ½ teaspoon salt and add more to taste
    • optional: splash of white wine
    • optional: 1 small onion, diced

    Instructions

    • Add the oil and garlic to a large sauce pot over medium heat. Cook for two minutes. Then add in the zucchini and optional onion. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender.
    • Add in all the remaining ingredients and bring to a slow boil. Then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for at least twenty minutes. The longer you simmer, the more developed and bold the flavors will become.
    • Do a taste test and add more salt to taste if desired. You can also add more red pepper flakes or nutritional yeast to taste.
    • Boil pasta and drain. Toss with sauce. Add some vegan Parm to serve. This pasta is delicious same day, but the sauce is even better the next day! Leftover sauce will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days. Or you can freeze leftovers for about a month for best flavor.

    Equipment

    • large pot
    recipe author: Kathy Patalsky

    nutrition estimate | per serving

    Calories: 160kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 236mg | Potassium: 122mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 78IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg
    Main Course, Side Dish
    Italian
    italian, pasta, sauce, tomato, vegan
    Did you make this?Snap a pic + tag me! @KathyPatalsky

    Pin this recipe for later…

    pasta with chunky marinara
    cheeseless version


    More pasta

    • Rustic White Bean Tomato Sauce
    • Ridiculously Creamy Vegan Fettuccine Alfredo
    • Pesto & Parm Pasta e Fagioli
    • Vegan Baked Mac ‘n Cheese

    About Kathy Patalsky

    Hey there! I'm Kathy, lover of kitty cats, weekend baking, 90's movies, travel, beach fog and foamy lattes. Since 2007, I have been sharing my vegan recipes and photos. My goal is to make your cooking life a little easier, delicious - and plant-loaded - while sharing some LIFE and conversation along the way.

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