Name: Tomato Sauce with Hidden Veggies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil; ½ medium yellow onion, finely diced; 2 bell peppers, diced; 3 stalks of celery, diced; 4-5 large carrots, diced; 4 cloves of garlic, minced; 1 tbsp Italian seasonings; ½ tsp sea salt, plus more to taste; ¼ tsp black pepper; ¼ tsp red pepper flakes; 3 tbsp tomato paste; ½ cup dry red wine (optional); 2 (28 oz) cans whole peeled tomatoes and their juices; ¼ cup raw cashews; 2 tbsp hemp seeds; 1.5 tbsp nutritional yeast; ½ tsp sea salt; ⅛ tsp garlic powder

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Introduction

This Tomato Sauce with Hidden Veggies is a flavorful and nutritious twist on a classic favorite. Packed with a variety of diced vegetables and enriched with a creamy vegan parmesan, it’s perfect for adding extra goodness to your pasta nights. It’s smooth, rich, and sure to please the whole family.

A white plate filled with rigatoni pasta covered in a thick, bright orange-red tomato sauce. The pasta tubes are well coated, and there is a sprinkle of grated cheese on top, giving a slightly grainy texture to the surface. A silver fork is placed inside the plate, partially covered by the rigatoni with sauce on it. The plate rests on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
½ medium yellow onion, finely diced
2 bell peppers, diced
3 stalks of celery, diced
4-5 large carrots, diced
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tbsp Italian seasonings
½ tsp sea salt, plus more to taste
¼ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp red pepper flakes
3 tbsp tomato paste
½ cup dry red wine (optional, but adds some extra flavor)
2 (28 oz) cans whole peeled tomatoes and their juices
¼ cup raw cashews
2 tbsp hemp seeds
1.5 tbsp nutritional yeast
½ tsp sea salt
⅛ tsp garlic powder

Instructions

Step 1: Heat a large pan with high sides over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, stir in the onion, bell peppers, celery, carrots, and garlic. Add the Italian seasonings, ½ tsp sea salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes until the vegetables are soft.
Step 2: Stir in the tomato paste and cook down for 3 minutes. Pour in the red wine if using, and allow to cook for another 3-4 minutes to reduce slightly.
Step 3: Add the whole peeled tomatoes with their juices to the pan, gently breaking up the tomatoes with a spoon. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for at least 40 minutes to deepen the flavors.
Step 4: While the sauce simmers, prepare the vegan parmesan by adding the cashews, hemp seeds, nutritional yeast, ½ tsp sea salt, and garlic powder to a blender. Pulse until a fine crumb forms, taking care not to blend into a paste. Set aside.
Step 5: Carefully transfer the simmered sauce to a high-speed blender in batches if necessary and blend until very smooth.
Step 6: Return the blended sauce to the pan to keep warm. Cook your pasta according to package instructions, then toss with the sauce. Serve topped with the vegan parmesan or alongside your choice of protein, vegetables, or spaghetti squash.

Tips & Variations

Omit the red wine for a simpler sauce or replace it with vegetable broth for extra moisture without alcohol.
For a nuttier flavor, lightly toast the raw cashews before blending the parmesan.
Try adding fresh basil or oregano at the end of simmering for a brighter herbal note.
This sauce freezes well; portion it out to freeze for quick meals later on.

Storage

Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring occasionally. The sauce also freezes well for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

A close-up image of a white plate filled with rigatoni pasta covered in a thick, bright orange-red tomato sauce. The pasta pieces are arranged in layers, all evenly coated with the sauce, which has a smooth and slightly chunky texture. Some grated cheese is sprinkled on top, adding a light dusting of white over the pasta. A silver fork lies on the plate, partly inserted into the pasta, with a woman’s hand holding it from the side. The plate is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other vegetables in this sauce?

Yes! Feel free to substitute or add vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach depending on your preference and what you have on hand.

Is the vegan parmesan necessary?

No, the vegan parmesan is optional but adds a lovely cheesy flavor and texture without dairy. You can skip it or use a store-bought vegan cheese alternative if preferred.