Vegetarian Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Beef

Elevate your pasta night with this hearty and flavorful Vegetarian Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Beef—a plant-based twist on a classic comfort food. This rich and savory sauce combines the robust flavors of crushed tomatoes, aromatic garlic, and sautéed onions with perfectly seasoned plant-based ground “beef,” making it a satisfying option for vegetarians and meat lovers alike. Infused with Italian herbs like oregano and basil, and a touch of sweetness from granulated sugar, this sauce achieves the perfect balance of flavor in just 30 minutes. Serve it over your favorite spaghetti or pasta for an easy, wholesome, and crowd-pleasing meal that's both nutritious and delicious. Perfect for weeknights or meal prep, this recipe is a must-try for anyone craving a hearty vegan- or vegetarian-friendly pasta dish!

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 medium Yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 12 ounces Plant-based ground 'beef'
• 28 ounces Canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground paprika
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 cup Water or vegetable broth

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Add the finely chopped yellow onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes until translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

Step 4

Add the plant-based ground 'beef' to the pan. Cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it up into small crumbles using a wooden spoon, until it is browned and cooked through.

Step 5

Pour in the canned crushed tomatoes, then stir in the tomato paste to thicken the sauce slightly.

Step 6

Add the dried oregano, dried basil, ground paprika, salt, black pepper, and granulated sugar. Stir to incorporate the spices evenly.

Step 7

Pour in the water or vegetable broth to adjust the consistency of the sauce. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Step 8

Lower the heat and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. This allows the flavors to meld together.

Step 9

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. Add more salt or pepper to suit your preference.

Step 10

Remove the saucepan from heat and garnish the sauce with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

Step 11

Serve over cooked spaghetti or your favorite pasta. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1575.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1330.9

Total Fat 85.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 22.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 5498.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 102.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 24.6g	0%
Total Sugars 47.2g
Protein 71.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 425.7mg	0%
Iron 21.8mg	0%
Potassium 4304.3mg	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: 52.3%

Protein: 19.6%

Carbs: 28.1%