Description
This homemade Spaghettios recipe offers a comforting and delicious twist on the classic canned pasta dish, featuring tender small pasta rings simmered in a rich, flavorful tomato sauce enriched with nutritional yeast and dairy-free cream. Perfect for a quick, wholesome meal, it’s customizable with optional protein additions like lentils or vegan meat crumbles.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce 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
Pasta & Protein
- 1 cup small pasta rings (or ditalini)
- Optional: 1/2 cup cooked lentils or vegan meat crumbles for added protein
Instructions
- Heat the Olive Oil and Sauté Aromatics: In a medium pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent. Then add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds to release its aroma.
- Add Tomato Ingredients and Seasonings: Stir in the tomato sauce, water, tomato paste, nutritional yeast (if using), salt, sugar (optional), onion powder, and garlic powder. Mix well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Cook the Pasta in the Sauce: Add the small pasta rings directly into the pot and stir to combine. Let it simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked tender and the sauce has thickened, approximately 10-12 minutes.
- Enrich the Sauce: Stir in the unsweetened dairy-free milk or cream to create a rich and creamy texture in the sauce. Mix thoroughly.
- Add Optional Protein and Heat Through: If desired, incorporate the cooked lentils or vegan meat crumbles into the pot and heat through to combine the flavors evenly.
- Season to Taste and Serve: Taste the Spaghettios and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve warm for a comforting meal.
Notes
- You can substitute small pasta rings with ditalini or any other tiny pasta shapes you have on hand.
- The nutritional yeast is optional but adds a nice cheesy flavor without dairy.
- For a richer sauce, full-fat coconut milk can be used instead of dairy-free milk or cream.
- Adding cooked lentils or vegan meat crumbles boosts the protein content, making the dish more filling.
- Adjust the seasoning and sweetness to your preference by adding more salt or sugar.
- This recipe is vegan and gluten-free if using gluten-free pasta.
