Nicole's Easy Meatless Mushroom Marinara

Transform weeknight dinners with "Nicole's Easy Meatless Mushroom Marinara," a hearty, vegetarian pasta sauce bursting with rich, savory flavors. Perfectly balancing simplicity and depth, this recipe combines tender sautéed mushrooms, aromatic garlic, and a medley of classic Italian spices like oregano and basil, all simmered to perfection in a base of robust crushed tomatoes. Ready in under an hour and featuring easy-to-find pantry staples, this marinara is a versatile gem—ideal for serving over pasta, spiralized zucchini, or as a base for casseroles. With optional red pepper flakes for a subtle kick and a touch of sugar to balance the acidity, you can customize it to suit your taste. Whether you're a meatless Monday enthusiast or simply craving a comforting, plant-based sauce, this easy mushroom marinara is a must-try!

Nutriscore Rating: 79/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 16 ounces cremini or white button mushrooms, finely chopped
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (canned)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan or saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced yellow onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn.

Step 4

Add the finely chopped mushrooms to the pan. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms release their moisture and begin to brown.

Step 5

Stir in the tomato paste, cooking for 1-2 minutes to deepen the flavor.

Step 6

Pour in the canned crushed tomatoes and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Step 7

Add the dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, black pepper, and sugar (if needed). Stir well.

Step 8

Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and flavorful.

Step 9

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Add more salt, pepper, or a pinch of sugar to balance flavors.

Step 10

Remove from heat and serve over your favorite cooked pasta, zucchini noodles, or use in any dish that calls for marinara sauce.

Step 11

Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1457.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	655.3

Total Fat 31.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3388.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 85.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.8g	0%
Total Sugars 49.5g
Protein 24.3g	0%

Vitamin D 31.8IU	0%
Calcium 242.6mg	0%
Iron 9.5mg	0%
Potassium 3672.1mg	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: 39.1%

Protein: 13.5%

Carbs: 47.4%