Description
This homemade Spaghettios recipe offers a quick and comforting meal featuring tender pasta rings simmered in a creamy, flavorful tomato sauce. Enhanced with aromatic spices and optional plant-based protein, it’s a delightful and easy-to-make dish perfect for cozy lunches or dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce
- 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 and Protein
- 1 cup small pasta rings (or ditalini)
- Optional: 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 softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Stir in the tomato sauce, water, tomato paste, nutritional yeast, salt, sugar, onion powder, and garlic powder into the pot. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to meld the flavors.
- Cook Pasta: Add the small pasta rings to the pot and stir to combine. Let it simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the sauce thickens, about 10-12 minutes.
- Finish Sauce: Stir in the unsweetened dairy-free milk or cream to enrich the sauce, making it creamy and smooth.
- Add Protein (Optional): If using, add cooked lentils or vegan meat crumbles to the pot and heat through for additional protein and texture.
- Season and Serve: Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve warm for a hearty, comforting meal.
Notes
- You can substitute small pasta rings with ditalini or other small-shaped pasta suitable for soups.
- Nutritional yeast is optional but adds a nice cheesy flavor that enhances the dish.
- For a richer sauce, use unsweetened dairy-free cream instead of milk.
- Adding lentils or vegan crumbles boosts protein, making the dish more filling.
- Adjust salt and sugar according to your taste preference and dietary needs.
- This recipe is vegan and gluten-free if gluten-free pasta rings are used.
