Vegetarian Traditional Italian Sugo

Indulge in the comforting flavors of Italy with this Vegetarian Traditional Italian Sugo, a timeless homemade pasta sauce brimming with rustic charm. This authentic recipe incorporates a medley of finely chopped vegetables—garlic, onion, carrot, and celery—sautéed in extra virgin olive oil to create a rich, aromatic base. The addition of hand-crushed whole peeled tomatoes, a hint of dried oregano, and fresh basil leaves ensures a deep, herbaceous flavor that perfectly complements any pasta dish. Simmered low and slow for 45 minutes, this sugo develops an irresistibly velvety texture and balanced taste, with an optional touch of sugar to reduce acidity. Quick to prepare and naturally vegetarian, this versatile Italian classic is perfect for weeknight dinners or as a foundation for culinary creativity.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
• 3 pieces Garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 medium Yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 medium Carrot, finely grated
• 1 medium Celery stalk, finely chopped
• 800 grams Canned whole peeled tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper, freshly ground
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 6 pieces Fresh basil leaves, roughly torn
• 0.5 teaspoons Granulated sugar (optional, for balancing acidity)

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Add the garlic, onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 8–10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are soft and fragrant.

Step 3

Pour the canned whole peeled tomatoes into a bowl and crush them with your hands or using a potato masher.

Step 4

Add the crushed tomatoes, along with their juices, to the saucepan. Stir well to combine with the sautéed vegetables.

Step 5

Season with salt, black pepper, and oregano. Stir thoroughly.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 35–40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and the flavors have melded together.

Step 7

Taste the sauce and add the sugar if it’s too acidic. Adjust salt and pepper as needed.

Step 8

Remove the pan from heat and stir in the torn basil leaves.

Step 9

Let the sauce cool slightly before serving. Toss it with cooked pasta and garnish with additional fresh basil if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1127.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	669.0

Total Fat 44.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3480.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 71.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.2g	0%
Total Sugars 44.2g
Protein 9.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 251.1mg	0%
Iron 6.4mg	0%
Potassium 1978.8mg	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: 55.1%

Protein: 5.5%

Carbs: 39.4%