Vegan Pasta Sauce has a nice new twist. It has pizza sauce flavors mixed in a traditional homemade pasta sauce and plant based crumbles. Simply made from scratch with a blend of vegetables for a Pizza Pasta Sauce!
Pizza Pasta Sauce is just like it sounds. It’s a blend of the flavors of red spaghetti sauce and tomato pizza sauce.
Made from scratch, it’s a very simple recipe. Meatless ground beef crumbles are added for texture, bulk and nutrition.
There will be extra sauce after tossing with the pasta. This was done on purpose so you can freeze it for a future meal. Or you can make a pizza.
I’m sure this would be great on pizza dough or on flatbread. Just add your favorite toppings, bake and you’re done.
In fact, if you’d like to make some pizza dough that you can freeze for the future then check out this Vegan Pizza Dough recipe. But wait! I’m getting ahead of myself.
Back to this downhome Italian dinner. Sure! Italians can be downhome. They just probably call it cibo di conforto but you don’t have to be even an itty bit of Italian to enjoy their food inspirations.
I’ve made this dinner many times and I have even taken its photo many times. I think that’s called ‘FBD’ or food bloggers disease. Taking pictures of food.
Here’s a picture I took back in 2012. Served with a fresh green salad and garlic bread really completed the meal.
How to make
- You start with simple ingredients and it’s all easy from start to finish.
- Meatless ground beef – I used frozen crumbles but you can use fresh such as Lightlife. They both need to be cooked first but fresh will take a little longer.
- Extra virgin olive oil – is used for sautéing and the chopped veggies and the meatless crumbles.
- Green bell pepper – adds a nice contrast to the acidic tomatoes.
- Yellow onion – holds it’s shape better and has a sweeter taste after sautéd.
- Crushed fire-roasted tomatoes – comes in a can and adds a lot of extra smoky flavor to the sauce.14 ounces pizza sauce
- Tomato paste – gives the deep rich taste and complex flavor that a pizza sauce has.
- Water – helps to thin out the tomato paste.
- Vegetable juice – continues to thin the sauce while keeping its flavors intact.
- Pasta of your choice. I choose rigatoni but it will go great with any of your favorites.
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet that has a lid. Hope this one is still on sale.
- If you bought fresh meatless ground beef start to sauté that first and add the onion and bell pepper after about 5 minutes then continue to sauté for about 10 more minutes.
- If you have frozen ground crumbles then wait until after the onion and bells are sautéd for about 10 minutes.
- Add the onion and green bell pepper and saute for 10 minutes.
- Next, add the frozen meatless ground beef and cook on medium heat for 5 minutes.
- Add the remainder of the ingredients and bring to a boil.
- Cover and turn down the heat to medium-low. Cook on high-simmer for one hour, stirring occasionally. If the sauce cooks down, add a little water at a time.
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and toss with the Pizza Pasta Sauce.
How long is pasta sauce good in the fridge
- This is a common question so let me give you the official rulings on this and also on freezing pasta sauce.
- I only keep homemade sauce in my refrigerator for 3 days. I’m just super careful. The official ruling is 3 to 4 days and that is tightly covered and stored properly. Not just open in a bowl.
- For freezing, store the sauce in a freezer-safe container or bag that is also airtight.
- That will keep 4 to 6 months with the best quality even though it will be safe to eat after that.
A variety of pasta sauce recipes
- Broccoli Pasta Casserole actually has a red and white sauce in layers along with pasta and broccoli.
- Your favorite store-bought pasta sauce can be used with this Tuscan Pasta and Beans recipe. I love Paul Newman’s organic marinara.
- Chili Pasta starts with fresh Roma tomatoes for its sauce and then it has spicy spices added such as chili powder.
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If you take a photo of your comforting comfort food I would love to see it. Follow me over on Instagram and tag me on your photo @vegan_in_the_freezer.
Your opinion means a lot to me and if you’d like to leave a comment and possibly a star rating I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Vegan Pizza Pasta Sauce
Ingredients
- 12 ounces meatless ground beef - you can use up to 16 ounces
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup green bell pepper - diced
- 1/2 onion - diced, small yellow onion
- 28 ounces crushed fire roasted tomatoes
- 14 ounces pizza sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup vegetable juice
- 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet. If you bought fresh meatless ground beef start to sauté that first and add the onion and bell pepper after about 5 minutes then continue to sauté for about 10 more minutes.
- If you have frozen ground crumbles add the onion and green bell pepper first and saute for 10 minutes. Next, add the frozen meatless ground beef and cook on medium heat for 5 minutes.
- Add the remainder of the ingredients and bring to a boil.
- Cover and turn down the heat to medium-low. Cook on high-simmer for one hour, stirring occasionally. If the sauce cooks down, add a little water at a time.
- Cook the rigatoni according to package directions. Drain and toss with the Pizza Pasta Sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
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Ginny McMeans
Thanks so much for your kind words Nancy! It isn’t absolutely important so you can use diced tomatoes. If you add about 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke that would give it the smoky flavor. Or you can roast your tomatoes. Chop up some Roma tomatoes. Drizzle them with olive oil. Spread them evenly on a cookie sheet and sprinkle some salt and pepper over them. Roast at 400°F for 30 to 40 minutes. Thank you again!
Nancy
Hi, absolutely IN LOVE with your recipes, so thank you! But, I can’t find Fire Roasted Tomatoes in Ireland…. how important is that for the flavor would you say? I CAN order them from Amazon but they’re VERY expensive that way.
Suzy
Loved this! I’m always looking for a new pasta dish and the rigatoni and pizza flavors are so delicious. Thanks so much!
Ginny McMeans
That sounds good Rach! Especially the garlic powder 🙂
Rach's Recipes
This looks delish! I’dd add oregano, garlic powder, and chili flakes when I make it, let you know how it turns out. Thanks for sharing.
Ginny McMeans
ha! Thanks Archana!
Archana
I want to eat that whole thing right now, these look so good!