Vegetable Marinara Sauce Recipe for Quick Healthy Meals

There’s something incredibly comforting about a rich, flavorful marinara sauce, especially when it’s packed with wholesome vegetables that add depth and nutrition. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary journey, this vegetable marinara sauce recipe is a versatile kitchen staple that elevates any pasta dish, pizza, or even acts as a dipping sauce for your favorite breadsticks.

Bursting with fresh tomatoes, bell peppers, zucchini, and aromatic herbs, this sauce brings vibrant colors and layers of taste to your plate.

Not only is this recipe easy to make from scratch, but it also allows you to sneak in a variety of vegetables in a delicious way. It’s perfect for meal prep, family dinners, or impressing guests with a homemade touch.

Plus, if you love exploring plant-based meals, this marinara pairs wonderfully with many vegetable alfredo recipes or can be served alongside a loaf made from the vegan bread machine recipe. Dive into this hearty, healthy sauce that will quickly become your go-to for all things Italian and beyond!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This vegetable marinara sauce is a perfect marriage of fresh ingredients and simple cooking techniques, making it accessible for cooks of all levels. It’s a nutrient-dense sauce that transforms basic veggies into a savory, aromatic base for countless dishes.

The best part? It’s completely customizable — you can swap in your favorite vegetables or herbs to suit your taste and pantry availability.

Not only does this recipe provide a robust flavor profile, but it’s also gluten-free, vegan, and free from processed sugars and additives. It’s a great way to boost your vegetable intake while enjoying a classic Italian favorite.

Plus, it stores beautifully, so you can make a big batch and have ready-to-go sauce for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Equipment

• Large sauté pan or deep skillet
• Cutting board and sharp knife
• Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
• Measuring spoons and cups
• Can opener
• Blender or immersion blender (optional for smoother sauce)
• Lid for the pan

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Once shimmering, add the finely chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until translucent and soft.
2. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning. The aroma should become fragrant.
3. Stir in the diced carrot, red bell pepper, and zucchini. Cook for 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally until the vegetables soften but still retain some bite.
4. Add the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring to coat the vegetables and deepen the flavor.
5. Pour in the crushed tomatoes along with the dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes if using. Mix well to combine.
6. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Add ½ cup of water or vegetable broth if the sauce looks too thick.
7. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover with a lid tilted slightly to allow steam to escape. Let it simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
8. Check the consistency and seasoning, adjusting salt, pepper, or herbs as needed. If you prefer a smoother sauce, carefully blend it with an immersion blender or in batches in a blender until desired texture is reached.
9. Just before serving, stir in the fresh chopped basil for a burst of fresh flavor and color.

Tips & Variations

Feel free to add other vegetables like mushrooms, eggplant, or spinach for extra nutrition and flavor.

For a smoky twist, consider adding a splash of smoked paprika or a teaspoon of chipotle powder. You can also boost the sauce’s umami by stirring in a tablespoon of nutritional yeast or a splash of soy sauce (if not soy-free).

If you want to make this recipe ahead, it freezes beautifully in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Just thaw and reheat gently on the stove.

Vegetable marinara sauce is also a fantastic base for recipes like vegetable lasagna or a topping for baked polenta rounds. Don’t hesitate to experiment!

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

This vegetable marinara sauce is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a variety of dishes. Toss it with your favorite pasta for a quick and healthy dinner, or use it as a base sauce for stuffed peppers or eggplant parmesan.

Serve it alongside garlic bread or use it as a dipping sauce for homemade vegetable crackers. If you enjoy experimenting with fusion cuisines, try adding it to your next batch of stuffed spaghetti squash or as a flavorful topping on baked tofu.

For more ideas, check out our vegetable alfredo recipes or the low calorie vegetable soup recipe for other ways to enjoy hearty, vegetable-packed meals.

Conclusion

This vegetable marinara sauce recipe is a wonderful way to bring fresh, wholesome ingredients into your kitchen while celebrating the classic flavors of Italian cooking. It’s easy to make, packed with nutritious vegetables, and endlessly adaptable to your preferences.

Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or friends, this sauce adds a vibrant, savory touch to many dishes.

With just a few simple steps and pantry staples, you can create a sauce that tastes like it simmered all day. Remember, cooking is all about joy and creativity, so don’t be afraid to tweak this recipe with your favorite vegetables or herbs.

For more plant-based inspiration, explore our collection of recipes like the vegetarian date cake recipe for a sweet finish or the veg recipes for slow cooker for easy meal prep ideas.

Enjoy your cooking adventure and buon appetito!

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Vegetable Marinara Sauce”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A rich and flavorful marinara sauce packed with fresh vegetables. Perfect for pasta, pizza, or as a dipping sauce.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT35M”, “totalTime”: “PT50M”, “recipeYield”: “6 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“2 tbsp olive oil”, “1 medium onion, finely chopped”, “3 cloves garlic, minced”, “1 medium carrot, finely diced”, “1 celery stalk, finely diced”, “1 red bell pepper, diced”, “1 zucchini, diced”, “1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes”, “1 tbsp tomato paste”, “1 tsp dried oregano”, “1 tsp dried basil”, “Salt and pepper to taste”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add onion, garlic, carrot, and celery; saut\u00e9 until softened.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Stir in red bell pepper and zucchini; cook for 5 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, and basil.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Season with salt and pepper.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Adjust seasoning and serve warm.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “110 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “3 g”, “fatContent”: “5 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “14 g”}}