Fooled Ya Spaghetti Sauce

Get ready to fool your taste buds with this irresistibly hearty and wholesome "Fooled Ya Spaghetti Sauce" – a vegan twist on classic Bolognese that’s brimming with rich, savory flavors. Packed with a medley of finely chopped vegetables like mushrooms, carrots, and celery, and enhanced with ground walnuts for a meaty texture, this sauce delivers all the comforting depth you crave without a trace of meat. A blend of aromatic seasonings, including smoked paprika and Italian herbs, pairs perfectly with a base of crushed tomatoes and a touch of soy sauce for an umami boost. Quick to prepare in just under an hour, this versatile sauce is perfect for serving over your favorite pasta, making it ideal for weeknight dinners or meal prep. Garnish with fresh parsley for a finishing touch, and watch as everyone around the table wonders if it’s the real deal! Perfect for vegans, vegetarians, and anyone looking to reduce meat consumption, this recipe is a must-try for plant-based comfort food enthusiasts.

Nutriscore Rating: 80/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium carrots, finely grated
• 2 stalks celery, finely diced
• 8 ounces mushrooms, finely chopped
• 1 cup walnuts, finely chopped or ground
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the garlic, grated carrots, and diced celery. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

Step 4

Add the finely chopped mushrooms and cook for 7-8 minutes, allowing them to release their moisture and become golden brown.

Step 5

Stir in the ground walnuts and tomato paste. Cook for 2 minutes, ensuring the tomato paste is evenly mixed and begins to caramelize.

Step 6

Pour in the crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, and soy sauce. Stir well to combine.

Step 7

Sprinkle in the oregano, basil, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper.

Step 8

Bring the mixture to a simmer and reduce the heat to low. Cover and let the sauce cook for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 9

Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of vegetable broth or water to reach your desired consistency.

Step 10

Serve the sauce over your favorite cooked spaghetti or pasta. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1819.8 grams (1819.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1521

Total Fat 107.60g	138%
Saturated Fat 12.00g	60%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.40g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4093mg	178%
Total Carbohydrate 125.10g	45%
Dietary Fiber 36.30g	130%
Total Sugars 61.30g
Protein 47.20g	94%

Vitamin D 16IU	80%
Calcium 542mg	42%
Iron 17mg	92%
Potassium 5738mg	122%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 58.4%

Protein: 11.4%

Carbs: 30.2%