Meat Less Tomato Sauce Sicilian Style

Dive into the rich, bold flavors of Sicily with this hearty and vibrant Meatless Tomato Sauce Sicilian Style. This sauce is a celebration of Mediterranean ingredients, featuring sweet San Marzano tomatoes, briny capers, and tangy Kalamata olives, all brought together with the warmth of garlic, fresh basil, and dried oregano. A touch of red chili flakes adds a gentle kick, while a hint of sugar balances the natural acidity of the tomatoes. Perfectly simmered to create a thick, flavor-packed sauce, this is an ideal vegan-friendly option for pasta night or as a topping for roasted vegetables and crusty bread. Quick to prepare yet deep in flavor, this recipe is a must-try if you're craving a taste of Sicily in under an hour.

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons Extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium Yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 Garlic cloves, minced
• 28 ounces Crushed tomatoes (preferably San Marzano)
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons Capers, rinsed and drained
• 0.5 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and roughly chopped
• 0.25 cup Fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon Red chili flakes (optional for spice)
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
• 0.5 cup Water or vegetable broth

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Add the chopped yellow onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning.

Step 4

Add the tomato paste to the pan and stir well, allowing it to cook and deepen in flavor for about 2 minutes.

Step 5

Pour in the crushed tomatoes and the water or vegetable broth, stirring to combine.

Step 6

Add the capers, chopped Kalamata olives, dried oregano, and red chili flakes (if using). Stir well.

Step 7

Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and sugar (if needed to balance the acidity).

Step 8

Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and let the sauce cook uncovered for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Adjust seasoning if necessary.

Step 9

Once the sauce has thickened slightly and the flavors have melded together, stir in the chopped basil leaves and cook for an additional 2 minutes.

Step 10

Remove from heat and serve immediately over your choice of pasta, or let cool and store in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1313.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	923.0

Total Fat 62.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 8.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 5031.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 79.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.1g	0%
Total Sugars 43.2g
Protein 13.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 389.9mg	0%
Iron 12.0mg	0%
Potassium 2195.8mg	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: 60.3%

Protein: 5.8%

Carbs: 33.9%