Description
Homemade Spaghettios is a quick and comforting pasta dish featuring small pasta rings simmered in a rich, creamy tomato sauce. This recipe offers a delightful blend of classic flavors with a vegan twist, using dairy-free cream and optional plant-based protein additions for a wholesome meal ready in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Sauce 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 Additions
- 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 soft and translucent. Then add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Stir in the tomato sauce, water, tomato paste, nutritional yeast, salt, sugar, onion powder, and garlic powder. Mix well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to combine the flavors.
- Cook Pasta in Sauce: Add the small pasta rings to the pot and stir thoroughly to combine them with the sauce. Allow the pasta to simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally. Cook for about 10-12 minutes until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
- Create Creamy Texture: Stir in the unsweetened dairy-free milk or cream to enrich the sauce, making it creamy and smooth.
- Add Protein (Optional): If using, fold in the cooked lentils or vegan meat crumbles and heat them through completely to incorporate additional protein into the dish.
- Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste your homemade Spaghettios and adjust the seasoning if needed. Once satisfied, serve the dish warm and enjoy your comforting meal.
Notes
- Nutritional yeast is optional but adds a delicious cheesy flavor and extra nutrients.
- Using small pasta rings or ditalini best mimics classic Spaghettios texture and appearance.
- For a non-vegan version, you can substitute the dairy-free milk or cream with regular cream or milk.
- Add cooked lentils or vegan crumbles for a protein boost to make the dish more filling.
- Adjust the sugar according to the acidity of the tomato sauce; omit if you prefer less sweetness.
