Description
This homemade Spaghettios recipe is a comforting and delicious twist on the classic canned pasta. Made with simple pantry ingredients, a rich tomato sauce, and tender pasta rings, it’s perfect for a quick and satisfying meal. The recipe offers the option to add plant-based protein for a nourishing boost, and uses dairy-free cream for a creamy texture, making it suitable for vegan diets.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce
- 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
- Sauté aromatics: In a medium pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Combine liquids and seasonings: Stir in tomato sauce, water, tomato paste, nutritional yeast, salt, sugar, onion powder, and garlic powder. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Cook the pasta: Add the small pasta rings to the pot and stir to combine. Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened, about 10-12 minutes.
- Add creaminess: Stir in the unsweetened dairy-free milk or cream to make the sauce rich and creamy.
- Incorporate protein (optional): If using, add cooked lentils or vegan meat crumbles and heat through evenly.
- Season and serve: Taste the dish and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve the homemade Spaghettios warm for the best experience.
Notes
- Use small pasta shapes like ditalini or mini pasta rings for an authentic Spaghettios texture.
- Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor but can be omitted for a straightforward tomato taste.
- For creaminess, dairy-free milk or cream works well for vegan and lactose-intolerant diets.
- Adding cooked lentils or vegan crumbles increases protein and makes it more filling.
- Adjust salt and sugar quantities according to taste preferences.
