Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 ounces dry spaghetti pasta
Vegetable Sauce
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (divided)
- 1 cup chopped red onion
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped into ½-inch pieces
- 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped into ½-inch pieces
- 1 medium carrot, diced
- 6 cremini mushrooms, chopped
- 2 cups broccoli florets, chopped into bite-size pieces
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 15 ounces crushed tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Optional Toppings
- Grated or shredded Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the dry spaghetti pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and do not rinse it to preserve its starchiness for better sauce adherence.
- Sauté Vegetables: While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a Dutch oven or a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped red onion, red and yellow bell peppers, diced carrot, chopped cremini mushrooms, and broccoli florets. Sauté the vegetables for 5-7 minutes, stirring often, until they become crisp-tender. If the pan gets too hot, reduce the heat to medium to prevent burning.
- Add Garlic and Simmer Sauce: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Then add the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Lower the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the vegetables to soften.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained spaghetti and the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the sauce. Toss everything together gently to fully coat the pasta with the vegetable sauce. Serve warm, topped with grated or shredded Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- For a vegan option, omit the Parmesan cheese or use a plant-based cheese substitute.
- Feel free to substitute or add your favorite vegetables like zucchini, spinach, or eggplant.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and pepper, depending on your preference.
- Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining to loosen the sauce if needed.
- Using fresh herbs instead of dried can enhance the flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
