This Veggie Packed Pasta Sauce is a staple in our menu. Made regularly and a super simple way to create a hearty sauce that the entire family will love.
I made this easy pasta sauce for my sister once. She refuses to not talk about it whenever we get together. And that is saying a lot because, truth be told, she is a better cook than me.
But I dominate when it comes to baking. So I feel like it’s ok to admit this one tiny flaw.
This sauce uses a spicy Italian sausage, tomatoes, and a mountain of vegetables to get it’s bold flavor. The slow cook simmer gives it time for all of the flavors to blend together into perfection. It’s dinner gold.
veggie pasta sauce
vegetable pasta sauce
spaghetti recipe with vegetables
Recipe Features:
- Freezer Friendly: Make it in advance and keep it in the freezer for a quick weekday dinner idea!
- Slow-Cooker Meal: Yes! You can make this in the slow cooker!
- Easy to Customize: Swap the sausage for beef or even ground chicken!
What You Need:
We love to use Italian sausage (sweet mild if the babe is going to be eating and spicy if it’s just for me and my hubby) but really you can even use regular hamburger. Once you have chosen your meat it’s time to get things rolling.
Here’s what you need for this chunky vegetable pasta sauce:
- Beef: Your choice here!
- Onions and garlic
- Tomatoes: Canned and a little sauce
- Veggies of your choice. Our favorites are listed in the recipe card below.
Looking for another quick and easy dinner idea? Try my Vegetable Lo Mein!
Step by Step Instructions:
Making a vegetable pasta sauce is actually fairly simple. Most of the work will come with chopping or dicing the vegetables. Once that is done you only have to worry about browning the beef!
- Heat the oil in a large sauce pan over medium heat. Add the sausage, onions, and garlic. Cook until the meat is browned, roughly 5 minutes.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, zucchini, carrots, sugar, baking soda, salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook on low heat for at least one hour or until the veggies are soft.
- Optional: Use an immersion blender to get a smoother finished sauce.
Tips and FAQs:
This is honestly the easiest tomato sauce with fresh vegetables. I am all about getting dinner together in a reasonable amount of time so that I can focus on other things. Here are a few tips to help you along your cooking journey:
Do I have to let this Veggie Packed Pasta Sauce simmer for a full hour?
Yes. This helps to cook the vegetables and allows the sauce to cook down and condense the flavor.
How to freeze pasta sauce:
- Allow the cooked sauce to cool completely.
- Transfer to quart sized zip top bags.
- Label and freeze solid.
This sauce will last up to 6 months if frozen properly!
Related Recipes:
- Cajun Chicken Pasta
- Homemade Alfredo
- Simple Lasagna
- Spaghetti Meat Sauce
- Ranch Chicken Stuffed Shells
Veggie Packed Pasta Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 small onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 28 oz can diced tomatoes
- 16 oz tomato sauce
- 1 zucchini diced
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large sauce pan over medium heat. Add the sausage, onions, and garlic. Cook until the meat is browned, roughly 5 minutes.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, zucchini, carrots, sugar, baking soda, salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook on low heat for at least one hour or until the veggies are soft.
- Optional: Use an immersion blender to get a smoother finished sauce.
Notes
How to freeze pasta sauce:
- Allow the cooked sauce to cool completely.
- Transfer to quart sized zip top bags.
- Label and freeze solid.
Nutrition
Equipment
Did You Make This Recipe?
Share it with me on Instagram @1sweetappetite and follow pinterest for more!
Reader Interactions
Find even more recipes!
Be sure to share it in the comments below and follow me on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram for even more delicious recipes.
Comments & Reviews
Christiane ~ Taking On Magazines says
Your Le Creuset pan is absolutely amazing and what you made in it even more so. The sauce is perfect for these cold, snowy days.
amy @ one artsy mama says
Yum! That looks so tasty!
JoDell says
This look so delicious! I love that it has so many vegetables in it! Can’t wait to try it out!
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes says
A great way to sneak some veggies in. Love the gorgeous Le Creuset pan. I’ve had my eye on the Caribbean blue one.
Sylvie | Gourmande in the Kitchen says
Now I’ve got to pull out my le creuset pot and make a batch of sauce!
Kara says
That looks so good! I’ve had a Le Creuset pan on my wish list for awhile now. Heard so many good things about them!
Erin @ DIY on the Cheap says
This looks delicious! I’ve been wanting a dutch oven. I’ll have to keep this one in mind.
Shelley @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
This is just gorgeous, and I love all those healthy veggies jammed in there! So yummy to use Italian sausage instead of ground beef, too – such an easy way to really amp up big flavor! Yum!!!
Cheri Villanueva says
The Le Creuset Dutch Oven is on my list of “must haves” would love to own one. Will be trying the recipe very soon. Looks wonderful.
Steph @ Steph in Thyme says
What a gorgeous Le Creuset! I adore mine and use it for just about everything, especially in the winter. Perfect for sauces like this one!
Kami @ sweet Charli says
this looks delicious!! I have been a sucker for pasta lately so I will for sure be trying this!
Amy | The Happy Scraps says
This sauce looks like it is to die for!
Aimee @ Like mother like daughter says
I’ve dreamed of the day when I’ll be able to have a Le Creuset pot or dish. And this sauce looks gorgeous! The perfect way to sneak veggies into your meal!
Becky @ lovetobeinthekitchen says
I LOVE Le Creuset! Every time I use mine I can’t believe I’m cooking in something so beautiful. And this pasta looks amazing! I always think pasta sauce is best when packed with veggies. I’m so going to make this soon!
Candy says
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this cookware, I’ve had my set for over 20 years and it still performs beautifully! Will never used anything else. The recipe sounds delicious, I’m going to try it!
Sydney @ Tastefully Frugal says
This looks and sounds so yummy! I love when I can sneak veggies into my kids’ favorite foods. I will definitely be making this soon.
Yvonne [Tried and Tasty] says
It’s gorgeous!!!! And this recipe look TASTY!!!! Definitely going to give it a try!