Hidden Veggie Spaghetti Sauce is loaded with simple, everyday vegetables hidden in plain sight. This tomato-ey, hearty vegetarian spaghetti sauce is from our easy vegan recipe collection made for stove or Instant Pot...also made for family dinners.
Hidden Veggie Spaghetti Sauce is a delicious, meatless spaghetti sauce with everyday vegetables like mushrooms, carrots, and celery and includes Instant Pot and stove instructions. Sometimes the secret to getting finicky eaters to eat vegetables is all about how you hide the vegetables. This homemade marinara sauce uses a food processor or box grater to mince (not puree) the veggies that are cooked into the sauce. It's full of hearty flavor, plant-based nutrients, and no weird ingredients.
Hidden veggie spaghetti sauce ingredients
- extra virgin olive oil (or any cooking oil)
- onion
- garlic
- carrots
- celery
- mushrooms
- canned tomato sauce
- tomato paste
- Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper
- (optional) crushed red pepper flakes
- vegetable broth (or water)
Instant Pot Instructions for Hidden Veggie Spaghetti Sauce
- shred veggies in food processor
- saute with oil in the Instant Pot on "saute" setting
- Stir in remaining ingredients
- Close lid, close pressure valve, and pressure cook for 2 minutes with 10 minute natural pressure release.
- Open pressure valve to release any steam, open lid, stir sauce, and serve over pasta.
Stove Instructions for Hidden Veggie Spaghetti Sauce
- shred veggies in food processor
- sauté the veggies in a sauce pot over medium heat on the stove
- add pantry ingredients and simmer until thickened (10-15 min)
- serve over your favorite pasta
I know, I know. Sounds too simple...but it really is that simple! Once you make this recipe, you'll be a pro and wonder why you haven't been making vegan / vegetarian spaghetti sauce with hidden veggies all these years!
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Hidden Veggie Spaghetti Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil, or any cooking oil
- ¼ medium Onion, coarsely chopped
- 1 large Carrot, coarsely chopped
- 1 rib Celery, coarsely chopped
- 3 cloves Garlic, coarsely chopped
- 1 cup Mushrooms, coarsely chopped (¼ lb.)
- 2 (15 oz cans) Tomato Sauce
- 3 oz Tomato Paste
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
- ½ tsp Sea Salt
- ⅛ tsp Black Pepper
- ⅛ tsp Red Pepper Flakes, optional
- ⅓ cup Vegetable Broth, or water
Equipment
- box grater (if no food processor)
- 3 quart soup pot (if using stove method)
Instructions
Prep veggies
- Place ONION, CARROT, CELERY, GARLIC, and MUSHROOMS in a food processor with the chopping blade in place. Note: you can grate everything by hand with a box grater.
- Pulse the veggies into coarse crumbles (avoid "blending" vegetables into a puree).
Instructions for stove method
- Heat OIL in a 3 quart saucepan on medium-high heat.
- Add chopped veggies and sauté until fragrant (about 3 minutes), stirring as needed.
- Add TOMATO SAUCE, TOMATO PASTE, ITALIAN SEASONING, SALT, BLACK PEPPER, (optional) RED PEPPER FLAKES, and BROTH (or water). Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer 10-15 minutes, stirring as needed.
Instructions for Instant Pot method
- Press the “Sauté” button and add OIL to the pot.
- When the display reads "Hot", add chopped veggies and sauté until fragrant (about 3 minutes), stirring as needed.
- Add TOMATO SAUCE, TOMATO PASTE, ITALIAN SEASONING, SALT, BLACK PEPPER, (optional) RED PEPPER FLAKES, and BROTH (or water). Stir to combine.
- Secure lid, turn pressure valve to "Sealing", and select "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" on HIGH for 2 minutes.
- When cook cycle completes, allow cooker to sit undisturbed for a 10-minute natural pressure release (NPR).
- Once depressurized, flip pressure valve to "Venting" to release any remaining steam. Press "Cancel", open the lid, and stir ingredients.
Serving and storage
- Serve spaghetti sauce over your favorite pasta and (optional) garnish with Parmesan cheese.
- To store, allow sauce to cool and refrigerate up to 5 days or freeze up to 90 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition data provided as courtesy estimates using unbranded ingredients from a nutrition database. Please consult preferred resource for precise data.
J Allen says
Man I was skeptical about how the texture would turn out on this one. Then we made it. Delicious! Looking forward lunch leftovers today. The only thing missing was your homemade French bread 😉
The Kitchen Girl says
Lol, yep! This pasta sauce totally wants to be mopped up with my French bread I'm so glad you love this recipe!!
Jenny says
Hi! I was looking for an easy pasta sauce recipes with lots of veggies to make for my family. I’m a vegetarian, but my children and husband are not, so I needed one that would make everyone happy.
I’ve attempted to make my own pasta sauce before and it was a failure so I’ve been buying the organic veggie chunky kind at the supermarket.
I tried this recipe today and just had to come here to tell you that you are so correct about everything you claim this sauce to be! It is delicious, it is veggie packed, it is SO EASY!
I topped the pasta with freshly grated Parmesan. I made a cucumber, tomato, red onion salad to go with it and had a delicious French bread with pats of butter. Along with a glass of red wine.
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. It is most definitely a keeper. It was so delicious. X
Traci Antonovich says
Jenny, I literally have goose bumps reading your comment. I just love when someone takes my word, makes my recipe, and LOVES it as much as I do. Thanks for taking the time to let me know...I really appreciate it! PS, I want this entire meal now + wine! 🙂 xoxox
Jaimee says
Traci, this is going to be served to about 40 tween choristers b4 mass...thanks for helping me find a vegetarian option that doesnt lack in flavor!!!
Traci Antonovich says
So glad to hear it, Jaimee! Let me know if you have any questions at all. Feel free to ask them here in the comments and I'll answer 🙂
Annissa says
That sauce looks so filling and hearty! Love the texture!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks so much Annissa! Hope you give it a try 🙂
Lauren Vavala @ DeliciousLittleBites says
My fiance makes a sauce kind of like this, but he doesn't hide his veggies and my son won't eat it lol. Definitely giving this recipe a try next time!
Traci Antonovich says
That's too cute Lauren. If you guys try this, I hope the kids devour it! 🙂
Rae says
You had me at vodka. This marinara sauce is absolute perfection and I am making it this week.
Traci Antonovich says
Haha yes this sauce is really good with vodka in it 🙂 and yay! so glad to hear it. Thanks Rae...hope you love it like I do!
Lisa Bynum says
I am just imaging all the flavor that must come from adding all those veggies. And my kids won't even know they are in there!
Traci Antonovich says
Haha yep, hope you love it like we do! Thanks Lisa!
Mary Bostow says
Wow and wow, this is so delicious and it makes my mouth watering.
My whole family would go crazy for these!
THANK YOU!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Mary! Love your enthusiasm...hope you love it!
Emily says
This sounds incredible, can't wait to try it!!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks so much, Emily! Hope you do get the chance...you'll love it! 🙂
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine says
This sauce looks SO good! Love how finely you chop up the veggies -- what a great texture!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks so much Michelle! Love it that you noticed that...I love the texture!
Helene D'Souza says
That's such a cool idea with the vodka! I haven't thought of making a drunken marinara sauce before, but I can see how tasty it must be. Gorgeous flavors!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Helene! You're so right...the flavors are gorgeous. Hope you try it sometime! 🙂
Mairi says
Wow this looks great! Vodka in pasta sauce? I've got to try this some time 🙂
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Mairi! Yes, hope you do get to try it 🙂
Natalie says
I love marinara sauce! There are so many things you can do with it! Such a great idea to add vodka - it sounds delicious and I just have to try this version.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks so much, Natalie! Yeah, the vodka adds another layer of flavor...and so easy too! Hope you get to try it out 🙂
Jeni @ Biscuits & Booze says
I love a good vodka based sauce. And packing this one full of veggies is a great idea! It makes me want to eat it nooooowwww! 🙂
Traci Antonovich says
Yay Jeni, happy to hear it! Cmon over...there's plenty! 🙂
Jenn says
This looks delicious. I love mincing veggies into tomato sauce, too, but I've never added vodka. Sounds like the perfect Valentine's Day dish.
Traci Antonovich says
You're so right, Jenn. This is a good V day dish 🙂 Thanks for weighing in!
Britt | Sweet Tea & Thyme says
I've been looking for a new pasta sauce recipe, this looks PERFECT! *scribbles down in meal plan* thanks, girl!
Traci Antonovich says
Haha Britt, you're making my day over here. Thank you!!! Hope you love it like I do 🙂
Dannii says
Booze and comfort food? I am so in! What a great way to end dry January.
Traci Antonovich says
Oh Dannii, thanks! You make me LOL. And you're so right...never thought of it that way 🙂
Ben Myhre says
This looks like a super tasty pasta sauce. Yum.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks so much, Ben! The vodka must be speaking to you 🙂
Jess says
YUMMO!!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Jess! You flatter me so. I'm making it today...just because 😉