Hearty Vegetable Tomato Sauce
This Hearty Vegetable Tomato Sauce is a delightful powerhouse of flavor and nutrition, packed with a variety of colorful vegetables that even the most discerning palates will enjoy. Rich and thick, this sauce mimics the texture of a traditional meat sauce, making it a perfect alternative for those looking to incorporate more plant-based meals into their diets. Your family won’t even notice they are eating their veggies! Ideal for tossing with your favorite pasta, adding to stews, layering on pizzas, or stirring into soups, this versatile sauce can also be frozen in portions for easy weeknight dinners. A delicious way to add freshness and variety to your meals, it’s sure to become a family favorite!
N/A
Servings
40
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
3-4 tablespoons (none)
onion
1 (diced)
carrot
1 (diced)
garlic cloves
6 (minced)
celery
1 stalk (diced)
pepper
1 (diced)
eggplant
1 large (peeled and diced)
portabella mushroom
1 large (gills removed and diced)
crushed tomatoes
3 (28 ounce) cans (none)
dried Italian herb seasoning
2 tablespoons (none)
sugar
1 tablespoon (none)
salt
1 teaspoon (none)
pepper
1 teaspoon (none)
fresh basil leaves
4 (roughly torn)
fresh parsley
1 tablespoon (roughly torn)
Instructions
1
In a large, deep, heavy-bottomed pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
2
Add the diced onion, carrot, minced garlic, diced celery, and diced pepper, and sauté for about 5 minutes until slightly softened.
3
Stir in the diced eggplant and portabella mushroom, cooking for an additional 5 minutes until all vegetables are tender and aromatic.
4
Transfer the sautéed vegetables to a large crockpot. Pour in the crushed tomatoes followed by the dried Italian herb seasoning, sugar, salt, and pepper.
5
Stir well to combine all the ingredients. Set the crockpot to high and cook for 5-6 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. If you’re not around to stir, you can cook on low until reaching the desired thickness.
6
In the last 15 minutes of cooking, add the roughly torn fresh basil and parsley, stirring them in to infuse the sauce with fresh brightness.
7
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary before serving.
Nutrition Information
2.25
Fat
4.25
Carbs
0.75
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Vegetable Tomato Sauce?
It is a flavorful and nutritious sauce packed with colorful vegetables that mimics the thick texture of a traditional meat sauce.
Is this recipe vegetarian and gluten-free?
Yes, this Hearty Vegetable Tomato Sauce is both vegetarian and gluten-free.
How many calories are in a serving of this sauce?
Each serving contains 40 calories.
Can I freeze this vegetable tomato sauce?
Yes, this sauce is freezer-friendly and can be frozen in portions for easy future meals.
What vegetables are included in the recipe?
The sauce includes onion, carrot, garlic, celery, pepper, eggplant, and portabella mushrooms.
How long does the sauce cook in the crockpot?
The sauce should be cooked on the high setting for 5 to 6 hours.
Can I cook this sauce on low heat instead?
Yes, if you cannot stir it occasionally, you can cook it on low until it reaches your desired thickness.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe calls for 6 minced garlic cloves.
What type of mushrooms should I use?
The recipe specifies one large portabella mushroom with the gills removed and diced.
Why is sugar added to the sauce?
One tablespoon of sugar is added to help balance the acidity of the crushed tomatoes.
What should I do with the eggplant before cooking?
The eggplant should be peeled and diced before being added to the sauce.
When do I add the fresh herbs like basil and parsley?
Add the fresh basil and parsley in the last 15 minutes of cooking to infuse the sauce with brightness.
How much fat is in this sauce?
There are 2.25 grams of fat per serving.
What is the protein content?
The sauce contains 0.75 grams of protein per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 4.25 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What can I serve with this sauce?
It is ideal for pasta, stews, pizzas, or stirring into soups.
What type of tomatoes are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses three 28-ounce cans of crushed tomatoes.
Do I need to sauté the vegetables before putting them in the crockpot?
Yes, sauté the onion, carrot, garlic, celery, and pepper for 5 minutes, then add eggplant and mushrooms for another 5 minutes before transferring to the crockpot.
How much olive oil is required?
You will need 3 to 4 tablespoons of olive oil for sautéing.
What seasoning provides the Italian flavor?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of dried Italian herb seasoning.
How many servings does this recipe make?
While the specific serving count isn't listed, it uses 84 ounces of crushed tomatoes plus various vegetables, making a large batch.
Is this sauce kid-friendly?
Yes, it is designed so that even discerning palates will enjoy the veggies hidden in the thick texture.
What type of pepper is used in the vegetable mix?
The recipe calls for one diced pepper; you can use any color you prefer.
Does the sauce require fresh or dried herbs?
The recipe uses both: dried Italian herb seasoning for the slow cook and fresh basil and parsley for the finish.
How much salt and pepper should I add?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper, plus more to taste.
How do I prepare the portabella mushroom?
You should remove the gills and then dice the mushroom.
What size pot should I use for the initial sauté?
A large, deep, heavy-bottomed pot is recommended.
What is the primary texture of this sauce?
It is rich and thick, mimicking a traditional meat sauce.
Can I use this sauce for meal prep?
Yes, its versatility and ability to be frozen make it excellent for weeknight meal prep.
Is there any cholesterol in this recipe?
The nutritional data indicates no cholesterol is present in this plant-based sauce.