Vegetarian Marinara Sauce with Ground Beef

Savor the hearty flavors of this Vegetarian Marinara Sauce with Ground Beef, a plant-based twist on a classic Italian favorite. This wholesome recipe swaps traditional beef for a flavorful vegetarian ground beef substitute, creating a dish that's perfect for both vegetarians and meat-lovers alike. Packed with aromatics like garlic, onion, and celery, and enriched with grated carrot for natural sweetness, this sauce achieves a depth of flavor with pantry staples like crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and dried herbs. A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a subtle kick, while fresh basil leaves stirred in at the end provide a burst of freshness. Simple to prepare in under an hour, this versatile sauce pairs beautifully with pasta, zoodles, or as a rich filling for vegetarian lasagna. Comfort food has never been more satisfying—or more plant-friendly!

Nutriscore Rating: 81/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium carrot, finely grated
• 1 stalk celery stalk, finely chopped
• 12 ounces vegetarian ground beef substitute
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add chopped onion, and cook until it's soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic, grated carrot, and chopped celery, cooking for another 3 minutes until the vegetables are slightly tender.

Step 4

Add the vegetarian ground beef substitute to the saucepan and cook for 5 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon as it browns.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, ensuring they are well combined with the other ingredients.

Step 6

Add the dried oregano, dried basil, sugar, red pepper flakes, bay leaf, salt, and pepper to the saucepan.

Step 7

Bring the mixture to a simmer, reduce the heat to low, and let it cook uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 8

Remove the bay leaf from the sauce before serving.

Step 9

Stir in the fresh basil leaves just before serving to enhance the flavor.

Step 10

Serve over your favorite pasta or as a sauce for vegetarian lasagna.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1426.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1073.5

Total Fat 47.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3880.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 100.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 27.1g	0%
Total Sugars 42.6g
Protein 62.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 426.2mg	0%
Iron 16.4mg	0%
Potassium 3546.8mg	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: 39.6%

Protein: 23.1%

Carbs: 37.2%