Loaded Veggie Tomato Sauce

5 from 2 votes

This Loaded Veggie Tomato Sauce is packed with zucchini, carrots, bell peppers, celery and onions all simmered and blended together for the most delicious marinara that can be used with pasta, meatballs, on top of pizza, as a dipping sauce and so much more!

Prep Time10

Cook Time1

Total Time1 10

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Keyword: Veggie Tomato Sauce

Servings:

Ingredients

2 Tbsp olive oil
2 medium onions finely chopped
2 carrots peeled and finely chopped
6 cloves garlic minced
3 celery stalks finely chopped
2 red bell peppers finely chopped
1 medium zucchini finely chopped
2 Tbsp Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp crushed red chili flakes optional if you want spice
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 cup tomato paste
2 (28 oz) cans whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes
2 cups vegetable broth or water
Optional: fresh chopped basil

Instructions

Drizzle olive oil in a large saucepan, or Dutch oven, over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, sauté onions and carrots first for about 2 minutes, until softened, then add garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds.
Next add in the celery, bell peppers, zucchini, Italian seasoning, crushed red chili flakes (optional), salt and pepper, and continue cooking the vegetables until soft, about 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, making sure they don't burn.
Mix in the tomato paste with the vegetable mixture and continue cooking about 2 minutes, then add in the tomatoes and vegetable broth.
Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for about 45 minutes to an hour to really get the best flavor.
Using an immersian blender, or you could transfer the sauce in batches to a regular blender, purée the sauce until smooth. Serve immediately while warm and top with fresh chopped basil, if desired.
If storing for later, let the sauce cool completely, then tranfer to jars, containers or large Ziplock bags. This sauce will last for about 5 days in the fridge and will freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition