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Vegetarian Meatless Spaghetti Sauce Recipe

Meatless spaghetti sauce is easy to make and perfect for everyday cooking. This heart vegetarian spaghetti sauce recipe is full of flavor and so satisfying. Learn how to make delicious spaghetti sauce with no meat!

vegan spaghetti sauce over white spaghetti noodles in a bowl

Meatless Spaghetti Sauce

Spaghetti is a staple in our house, and we eat it at least once or twice a month.

This recipe is my go to for easy meatless spaghetti sauce.

This recipe is both vegan and vegetarian!

It occurred to me recently that not everyone knows just how easy it is to make spaghetti both meatless and delicious.

Whether you are vegetarian, or just looking for a meatless monday recipe, this spaghetti is for you!

Meatless spaghetti sauce is not only delicious but packed full of veggies.

vegetarian mushroom spaghetti sauce over white spaghetti noodles in a white bowl

I’m a big fan of mushrooms, and they are perfect for getting that “meaty” texture in spaghetti sauce.

This recipe is mushroom based for that reason!

Mushrooms are just incredible for substituting meat in recipes.

They are also one of the key ingredients in my vegetarian bolognese recipe.

And a must have when making vegetarian baked spaghetti.

So easy to cook and delicious every time!

chopped onion and minced garlic in a skillet

How to make spaghetti sauce with no meat

The flavor of fresh garlic and onion add a ton of depth to this recipe, so I start with that as a base.

Add your fresh diced garlic and onion to a large skillet or jumbo cooker.

The pan pictured is called a “jumbo cooker” and I purchased mine from walmart.

It is by far my most used and loved kitchen tool, and I have been buying them for close to 10 years!

If you’re looking for a great all purpose pan that will hold just about any recipe, I highly suggest getting one.

baby bella mushrooms, chopped onion, and minced garlic in a red skillet

Mushrooms to use for meatless pasta sauce

Next, add in your sliced baby bella mushrooms.

These are small and the texture is perfect for meatless substitutes.

sliced baby bella mushrooms

I also use chopped up portobello mushrooms (see below.)

Just buy the caps and dice them up into pieces.

sliced baby bella mushrooms and chopped portobello mushrooms

The combination of both mushrooms makes for a super chunky and flavorful sauce.

Texture is everything!

the mushrooms, garlic, and onion cooked down

Once your garlic, onions, and mushrooms cook down, they will look like this.

Browned and delicious.

That means they are perfect!

the mushrooms, garlic, and onion browned after cooking

Basically, we are looking for two things: the onion to be caramelized, and the mushrooms to have released and cooked out all of their liquid.

The pan should not have a lot of excess liquid left over.

pasta sauce being poured into the skillet with the mushrooms

After this is done, pour in a jar of your favorite pasta sauce (I use mushroom flavor because I just love it so much!)

Any flavor of your favorite pasta sauce will work fine.

pasta sauce on top of the cooked mushrooms

Stir for a few minutes to heat, and it’s ready to serve!

We love whole wheat noodles around here, but sometimes go for the traditional white.

Either way you cannot go wrong!

hearty vegetarian spaghetti sauce over white spaghetti noodles in a bowl

This mushroom spaghetti sauce is already vegan, or you can add cheese if you are not vegan.

Freshly grated parmesan cheese will take the flavor to the next level!

chunky mushroom pasta sauce over noodles

My favorite toppings are shredded mozzarella, freshly grated parmesan, and red pepper flakes for a bit of spice.

If you like a little spiciness, red pepper flakes are so good in this dish!

meatless spaghetti sauce over pasta in a white bowl

This makes a huge batch and easily serves 5 – 6 adults.

Perfect for leftovers!

Some people don’t like leftovers, but I will always love leftover spaghetti.

It is always so yummy!

meatless spaghetti sauce over pasta in a white bowl

We usually eat this leftover two or three times as a family of 3.

The next night I will mix the sauce and noodles and bake it with cheese to make baked spaghetti.

Crispy cheesy edges are the best part of baked spaghetti!

And speaking of baked pasta dishes, this Veggie Lover’s Baked Rigatoni is always a hit too.

up close texture of the meatless mushroom pasta sauce

This is our new go to spaghetti sauce recipe! We use it in baked spaghetti too! So delicious!

spaghetti in a bowl sprinkled with shredded mozzarella cheese

If you love pasta recipes, be sure to check out this reader favorites crock pot baked ziti and vegetarian baked ziti.

meatless spaghetti sauce over pasta in a white bowl

Are you making this recipe? I want to see! Don’t forget to tag me on instagram @buildyourbite and hashtag #buildyourbite with your recipe creations!

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Easy meatless spaghetti sauce recipe made with mushrooms, garlic, and onions. A delicious “meaty” vegetarian spaghetti recipe. #meatless #spaghetti #vegetarian #meatlessspaghetti

Did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave a star rating below!

Meatless Spaghetti Sauce Recipe

Easy meatless spaghetti sauce recipe made with mushrooms, garlic, and onions. A delicious “meaty” vegetarian spaghetti recipe. #meatless #spaghetti #vegetarian #meatlessspaghetti

Vegetarian Meatless Spaghetti Sauce Recipe

Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Meatless spaghetti sauce is easy to make and perfect for everyday cooking. This heart vegetarian spaghetti sauce recipe is full of flavor and so satisfying. The best way to make delicious spaghetti sauce with no meat!

Ingredients

  • 16 oz sliced baby bella mushrooms
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • ⅓ cup minced garlic (around 15 cloves)
  • 8 oz portobello mushrooms, diced
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 2 teaspoons oregano
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 25 oz pasta sauce
  • 1 lb spaghetti

Instructions

  1. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions 
  2. Add salt, pepper, oregano, olive oil, minced garlic, diced onion, portobello mushrooms, and baby bella mushrooms to a large skillet
  3. Saute on medium high heat for 15 - 20 minutes, or until mushrooms release and cook off all liquid
  4. Add pasta sauce and stir until hot (1 - 2 minutes)
  5. Serve over spaghetti
  6. Top with optional mozzarella, parmesan, and red pepper flakes

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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 254Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 965mgCarbohydrates: 43gFiber: 7gSugar: 11gProtein: 10g

Did you make this recipe?

Be sure to tag me on instagram @buildyourbite and hashtag #buildyourbite with your recipe creations!

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Diane

Sunday 28th of August 2022

I like this recipe. Have made something similar for many years, got it from a person at Weight Watchers. The main difference is that I mince the mushrooms so it ends up looking more like ground meat.

Delores C Phillips

Monday 26th of July 2021

I already make a similar one. However, I add chopped green peppers. I stir fry mushrooms, onions, garlic, and green peppers in olive oil and a little water until tender. Meanwhile, I use another saucepan and mix in some red kidney beans, spaghetti garlic sauce, and a small amount of olive oil. I let this simmer for about twenty minutes. Then and mix the strained spaghetti and sauce. Top with sharp cheddar cheese. I use all organic ingredients.

Patty

Monday 17th of August 2020

Absolutely love this recipe, I add a few more onions and a grated carrot sweat the onions on a low to medium heat before following the rest of the recipe...thank you for sharing:)

Joy Shull

Tuesday 18th of August 2020

so glad you enjoyed the recipe patty!

Sarah McArver

Sunday 12th of January 2020

This is our new go to spaghetti sauce recipe! We use it in baked spaghetti too! So delicious!

Joy Shull

Sunday 12th of January 2020

So glad you enjoyed the recipe Sarah!

Pierre Lafleur

Thursday 12th of September 2019

Hi. This recipe is great and perfect for us. Very tasty .

Can you freeze it.

Thank you

Joy Shull

Friday 13th of September 2019

I have not tried freezing it, so I am not sure if it would keep well.

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