Description
This homemade Spaghettios recipe offers a comforting, quick, and nutritious twist on the classic canned pasta. Made from scratch with a flavorful tomato sauce, small pasta rings, and optional plant-based protein additions, it’s a creamy, vegan-friendly meal perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Spaghettios Base
- 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
- 1 cup small pasta rings (or ditalini)
Optional Protein
- 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 Tomato Base and Seasonings: Stir in tomato sauce, water, tomato paste, nutritional yeast (if using), salt, optional sugar, onion powder, and garlic powder. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to develop the flavors.
- Cook Pasta: Add the small pasta rings or ditalini into the simmering sauce. Stir to combine, and cook uncovered while stirring occasionally. Continue simmering for about 10-12 minutes until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Enrich the Sauce: Stir in unsweetened dairy-free milk or cream to the pot to make the sauce creamy and smooth. Mix well to incorporate evenly.
- Add Protein (Optional): If using cooked lentils or vegan meat crumbles, add them into the pot now and heat through for a few minutes to warm.
- Adjust and Serve: Taste the Spaghettios and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve warm for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Use small pasta shapes like ditalini or small rings for an authentic Spaghettios feel.
- The nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor but can be omitted for a more classic tomato taste.
- Adjust the sugar depending on the acidity of your tomato sauce to balance flavors.
- Dairy-free milk or cream enhances creaminess without dairy; substitute with regular cream if preferred.
- Adding cooked lentils or vegan crumbles boosts protein, making it more filling and nutritious.
- Stir frequently during pasta cooking to prevent sticking.
