Description
This Homemade Spaghettios recipe offers a comforting, nostalgic meal made from scratch using simple pantry ingredients. Featuring a rich tomato sauce with a creamy finish and tender small pasta rings, it’s a delightful vegan take on the classic canned favorite. This recipe is quick to prepare, making it perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner with optional protein additions like lentils or vegan crumbles.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup finely diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast (optional, for cheesy flavor)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar (optional, to taste)
- 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 cup unsweetened dairy-free milk or cream
Pasta
- 1 cup small pasta rings (or ditalini)
Optional Protein Add-ins
- 1/2 cup cooked lentils or vegan meat crumbles for added protein
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a medium pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until it becomes softened and translucent. Then add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add Tomato Base and Seasonings: Stir in the tomato sauce, water, tomato paste, nutritional yeast if using, salt, sugar if using, onion powder, and garlic powder. Mix thoroughly and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Cook Pasta: Add the small pasta rings to the simmering sauce and stir well to combine. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for about 10-12 minutes or until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened to your liking.
- Add Creaminess: Stir in the unsweetened dairy-free milk or cream to enrich the sauce, making it creamy and smooth.
- Incorporate Optional Proteins: If using, add the cooked lentils or vegan meat crumbles now and cook for a few more minutes to heat them through evenly.
- Season and Serve: Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with extra salt or spices if needed. Serve the homemade Spaghettios warm for a comforting meal.
Notes
- You can use any small pasta shape similar to ditalini if rings are unavailable.
- The nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor but can be omitted for a simpler tomato taste.
- For a non-vegan version, substitute dairy-free milk with regular cream or milk as preferred.
- Add cooked lentils or vegan crumbles for extra protein and heartiness.
- Adjust the thickness of the sauce by varying the simmering time to your preference.
