Dairy-Free Traditional Italian Sugo

Discover the rich, authentic flavors of this Dairy-Free Traditional Italian Sugo, a versatile tomato-based sauce that's perfect for pasta, lasagna, or as a dip for crusty bread. Made with simple, wholesome ingredients like carrots, celery, and garlic, it's gently simmered with canned whole peeled tomatoes, aromatic dried herbs, and a hint of olive oil to unlock its deep, savory essence. This recipe is completely dairy-free, making it ideal for vegan or dairy-free diets, while still offering the hearty, comforting taste of a classic Italian sugo. Whether left chunky for rustic charm or blended for velvety smoothness, this sauce brings homemade authenticity to your table. Plus, it's easy to make ahead, freezer-friendly, and ready to elevate any meal with pure Italian tradition!

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium carrot, finely grated
• 1 celery stalk, finely diced
• 28 ounces canned whole peeled tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to taste)
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 leaves fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic, grated carrot, and diced celery. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the vegetables soften.

Step 4

Pour in the canned whole peeled tomatoes with their juices. Break the tomatoes up using a wooden spoon or potato masher.

Step 5

Mix in the tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, and bay leaf.

Step 6

Season with salt and black pepper. If the tomatoes are too acidic, stir in a teaspoon of sugar for balance.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot partially with a lid, and simmer the sauce for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Let the sauce thicken and the flavors deepen.

Step 8

Remove the bay leaf and use an immersion blender if you prefer a smoother consistency. Leave it chunky if you'd like more texture.

Step 9

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately over pasta or as desired, garnished with fresh basil leaves if using.

Step 10

The sugo can also be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1156.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	708.1

Total Fat 44.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2313.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 80.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.7g	0%
Total Sugars 50.1g
Protein 11.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 272.3mg	0%
Iron 7.6mg	0%
Potassium 2316.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 52.1%

Protein: 6.0%

Carbs: 41.9%