Be honest with yourself. Is it time to up your spaghetti sauce game? Are you using jarred sauce, or making really quick sauces that don’t have enough time to get that deep flavor?

I can be guilty of both, and while I would always maintain that quick sauces have their place and that there are ways you can mitigate for the lack of time, just note that this is the sauce I call THE BEST.

So, when you can steal a lazy afternoon to while away on spaghetti sauce making… JUST DO IT.

This vegetarian spaghetti sauce recipe is a firm favorite in my family and was developed over the course of several years, across two continents, by my big brother Mikey. It is the thing we always have to request when we get together. Mikey has to make spaghetti.

Instead of looking for ways to hack everything like I often do, he appreciates that spaghetti sauce making is an art deserving of a little love and care.

So he will be letting that sauce simmer for a good few hours, adding a little bit of this and a little bit of that until it is just so.

He tends to eyeball his measurements but one night, I stalked him in the kitchen and we got everything measured and turned into a recipe.

(And just real quick, on the subject of my brother, you should check out his website and Etsy shop if you like custom metal signs, flowers, and cool home decor!)

HOW TO MAKE THIS VEGETARIAN SPAGHETTI SAUCE

You’ll get 5 cans of the best tomatoes (I like to use Cirio brand), tomato paste, garlic, mushrooms, peppers (which you’ll roast), olives, and a whole bunch of other flavorful ingredients like red wine and vegetarian (fish-free) Worcestershire sauce.

You’ll let it simmer for 3-4 hours, stirring often, at which time it will reduce and form a beautiful chunky sauce.

Serve over spaghetti, top with cheese, add garlic bread and salad.

And everyone’s favorite dinner is ready!

HOW TO FEED A HUNGRY CROWD WITH IT

Spaghetti dinners are the ultimate crowd-pleasers. Make a batch of this sauce, a big pot of spaghetti, roast spaghetti squash, and guess what? You can feed vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and low-carb friends and family. Winning.

The sauce is naturally vegan, but to make the perfect vegan spaghetti dinner you could add some homemade vegan parm. It’s quick and easy to make!

VARIATIONS ON THIS SPAGHETTI SAUCE

This recipe I am sharing with you was from one iteration of the spaghetti sauce. But in reality, it’s made a little differently each time. Some ideas for how to personalize your sauce:

• You can use white wine instead of red
• Use a couple of cans of fire-roasted tomatoes (and then you don’t need to roast the peppers unless you want it doubly smoky)
• You can add some parmesan to the sauce
• Make it arrabbiata style with the addition of red chili
• Throw in some mashed capers for extra umami

THE BEST VEGETARIAN SPAGHETTI SAUCE

INGREDIENTS

• 3 red Romano peppers (normal red peppers are OK too)
• 1 large white onion, chopped
• 5 cloves of garlic, minced
• 9oz (250g) of crimini/chestnut mushrooms, chopped
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce (use a fish-free blend to keep this vegetarian)
• 1 Tbsp of dried Italian herb mix
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 5 cans (14oz / 400g size) of quality canned tomatoes (I use a mix of whole plum tomatoes + chopped tomatoes)
• A dash or two of red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup of tomato paste
• 1/2 cup of sliced black olives
• 1 glass of red wine
• 1/4 cup (60ml) of balsamic vinegar
• 1 Tbsp brown sugar

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Roast the romano peppers. Place them on a baking tray whole and drizzle with olive oil. Place in the oven at 200C/390F for 20-30 minutes until they have softened and wrinkled.
2. Meanwhile, start preparing the sauce. In a large heavy pan, sauté your onions until soft and slightly browned.
3. Add garlic and chili flakes, saute for a few minutes until the garlic releases its fragrance.
4. Add mushrooms and cook until they release their liquid and it begins to evaporate. Add the Worcestershire sauce, dried herbs, and salt and pepper to taste.
5. Now add the canned tomatoes, tomato paste, black olives, red wine, balsamic vinegar, and brown sugar.
6. Heat and then bring to a simmer.
7. When the red peppers have roasted, remove from the oven and allow to cool before peeling, de-seeding, and chopping them into small pieces. Add them to the sauce.
8. Simmer for 3-4 hours, stirring regularly, until the sauce has reduced to a thick and chunky texture. If you need to serve it before it’s reduced to the texture you prefer, just add more tomato paste. Taste throughout and add any extra seasonings or flavorings that you fancy along the way.
9. Serve over spaghetti with a sprinkling of cheese. Bon appetit!