Delicious Vegan Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Recipe
Welcome to my vegan take on a classic Italian favorite, the Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce! This recipe is versatile and delicious, perfect for those nights when you’re craving some comfort food. Whether you’re team pizza or team pasta, this sauce will elevate your meal to the next level.
As a vegan chef, I wanted to create a plant-based version of the sauce that was just as rich and flavorful as the original. That’s why I chose sun-dried tomatoes – they add an intense burst of flavor that elevates any dish they are in. Plus, this recipe is made with simple ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store.
Even if you’re not vegan, this sauce is still a great option. It’s healthier than traditional tomato sauces and has fewer calories. Plus, it’s high in protein thanks to the addition of nutritional yeast.
Whether you’re looking to add some variety to your weeknight dinner routine or impress your friends with a gourmet pizza or pasta dish, this recipe is sure to do the trick. So tie on your apron and let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Are you tired of the same old pasta sauce? Look no further than this vegan sun-dried tomato sauce, perfect for pizza or pasta!
One of the best things about this recipe is that it’s incredibly versatile. Serve it over penne pasta for a classic Italian dish, or slather it on pizza dough for a flavor-packed pie. The creamy tomato sauce is perfect for any pasta choice, and the plant-based ingredients provide a high protein option that’s light and nutritious.
But why should you love this recipe? Let me tell you: First and foremost, it’s easy to make with affordable ingredients – you can find everything at your local grocery store. The recipe only takes 15 minutes to prepare, while the taste will blow your mind for its simplicity. Secondly, it’s a healthier alternative than the traditional tomato sauce, as it is made without any artificial sweeteners or Parmesan cheese. This vegan alternative uses nutritional yeast to give a creamy texture with additional nutrients like vitamins B12 and D, which cheese lacks.
Moreover, not only is this sauce packed with flavor from the sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil, but it also has a slight kick thanks to red pepper flakes that dance in your mouth with every bite. You’ll enjoy the zing of garlic and smoothness of olive oil, creating an explosion of flavors on your tongue.
Lastly, this recipe is great if you are looking to please varying palates; customize spice levels with additional red pepper flakes or add more garlic cloves if you love garlic. You won’t be able to get enough!
In conclusion, whether you’re going vegan or prefer a creamy tomato sauce without sacrificing taste and nutrition, this vegan sun-dried tomato sauce ticks all the boxes. Give this recipe a try- your taste buds will thank you!
Ingredient List
Here are the ingredients you will need to make this vegan sun-dried tomato sauce:
- 1 cup of water
- ½ cup of vegetable broth
- ½ cup of sun-dried tomatoes
- 3 garlic cloves, sliced
- 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon of sea salt
- A pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
- A handful of fresh basil leaves
You can find most of these ingredients at your local grocery store or organic market. If you don’t have access to fresh basil, feel free to use dried basil instead. And if you prefer a spicier sauce, add more red pepper flakes.
The Recipe How-To
Preparation
After gathering all the necessary ingredients, start by putting 1 cup of sun-dried tomatoes in a bowl and pouring 1 cup of boiled water over them, allowing them to sit for about 10 minutes until they are tender. Next, drain the water from the sun-dried tomatoes, but make sure to save the water as we will use it as a flavorful liquid in the sauce.
Also, cook 1/2 cup of penne pasta, following package instructions or use any kind of pasta choice you prefer. Keep it aside for later.
In a blender, add the tender sun-dried tomatoes and 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil, 2-3 garlic cloves, 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt, 1 tablespoon of nutritional yeast, and 1 tablespoon of freshly chopped basil. Blend it until smooth and creamy.
Cooking Time
Heat a medium-sized pot over medium heat, adding 1 tablespoon of olive oil. When it gets hot, add thinly sliced garlic pieces and sauté them for some time until fragrant. Pour in the sauce mixture we prepared earlier, stirring occasionally for around 5-7 minutes while letting the sauce simmer. Add ½ to one teaspoon of red pepper flakes according to your preference.
Next, add reserved water from rehydrated sun-dried tomatoes and a quarter cup of vegetable broth along with the cooked pasta. Let this combine well on low heat for about five minutes till then color develop into intense rich red.
Your creamy vegan sun-dried tomato sauce is now ready!
Serve it immediately as a topping on your favorite pizza or as a pasta sauce.
Enjoy your meal!
Substitutions and Variations
One of the joys of cooking is experimenting with different ingredients and flavors to make a recipe truly your own. Here are some substitutions and variations that you can try to customize this vegan sun-dried tomato sauce recipe:
– Spice level: If you prefer a milder taste or spicy kick, you can adjust the amount of red pepper flakes or omit them altogether.
– Sweetener: Instead of an artificial sweetener, you can use natural sweeteners like maple syrup, agave nectar or dates to balance the tanginess of the sauce.
– Sun-dried tomatoes: If you don’t have access to sun-dried tomatoes, you can substitute them with canned tomatoes, fresh tomatoes (just reduce water accordingly), or roasted red peppers for their smoky flavor.
– Nutritional Yeast: For a cheesy flavor without the dairy, nutritional yeast is a great option. However, if you don’t have any on hand, grate some vegan parmesan cheese or skip it.
– Creamy vegan sauce: To make this sauce creamier (without using dairy), replace water with vegetable broth or coconut milk. You can also add some cashew cream for richness.
– Pasta choice: While this recipe matches perfectly with penne pasta, feel free to swap it out for a variety of pasta shapes such as bowtie pasta, kale pasta, spinach pasta, or even soy curls for more protein.
– Pizza topping: Aside from using this sauce as a pizza base, try it as a topping for pizza with other ingredients such as mushroom pasta, white wine sauce-chicken pasta or even pesto pizza.
Overall, these substitutions and variations can take this already delicious vegan sun-dried tomato sauce recipe to new heights and satisfy your taste preferences.
Serving and Pairing
This delicious vegan sun-dried tomato sauce is incredibly versatile and can be used in many different ways. Here are a few of my favorite serving and pairing ideas:
– Pizza: This sauce is perfect for pizza! Simply spread it on your favorite pizza dough, add your favorite toppings, and bake until crispy and delicious. Try it with vegan cheese, soy curls, or sautéed veggies for a healthy and satisfying meal.
– Pasta: Toss this sauce with your favorite cooked pasta for a quick and easy dinner. Penne, bowtie, kale, spinach, and mushroom pasta all work really well with this sauce. Top with some fresh basil or nutritional yeast for extra flavor.
– Tomato Pesto: Mix this sauce with some fresh basil or basil balsamic vinegar to create a delicious vegan tomato pesto. Use it on sandwiches or wraps, as a dip for veggies or crackers, or as a topping for pizza.
– Creamy Tomato Pasta: Add some cashew cream or vegan cream cheese to this sauce to make it extra creamy and delicious. Serve it over your favorite cooked pasta for a comforting and satisfying meal.
– Sundried Tomato Pasta Salad: Use this sauce as the base for a tangy and flavorful pasta salad. Simply toss the sauce with some cooked pasta (penne or bowtie work well), along with some chopped veggies (like cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, or cucumbers), fresh basil, and a splash of balsamic vinegar. Chill in the fridge for an hour or two before serving.
– White Wine Sauce: For a fancier dinner option, use this sauce as the base for a white wine sauce. Simply sauté some garlic in olive oil until fragrant, then add some white wine and reduce by half. Add the tomato sauce, sea salt flakes and some red pepper flakes if you prefer spicy food to the pan along with some vegetable broth and simmer over low heat until thickened. Serve over your favorite cooked pasta with a glass of white wine on the side.
This sun-dried tomato sauce is so versatile that you can pair it with almost anything! Get creative in the kitchen and see what combinations you can come up with.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Preparing a batch of this Vegan Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce ahead of time proves to be convenient when time is of the essence. You may make it in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze it for up to three months. Freezing the sauce will exalt the flavors and make it even more enriching on your palate.
When reheating, transfer the amount you need to a small saucepan over medium heat. Add some water, about ¼ cup, to thin it out if necessary. Use a whisk to incorporate until smooth and heated through.
Alternatively, if you’re making pizza with this sauce, there’s no need to preheat or thin it out as the oven will do it all for you! Spread two-thirds cup of Vegan Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce onto your pizza bases, add veggies such as bell peppers, onions, mushrooms or sliced tomatoes, top with sliced olives and vegan cheese. Almost any veggie will sit well in here — use whatever you have left in your fridge! Just mix things up and let your creativity run wild!
Knowing how to store and reheat the sauce is a must for busy home cooks who want to enjoy impeccable flavors without investing too much time in meal preparation. Keep yourself stocked up with this delicious sun-dried tomato sauce by making a larger batch that you can use during the weeks ahead. It makes any pasta dish burst with flavor, adds depth to plant-based pizzas, and enriches creamy pasta sauces with its distinct tastes. Enjoy!
Tips for Perfect Results
As a vegan chef, I have learned from my experience that every recipe has a set of tricks and tips that can help you achieve the best possible results. In this section, I will share some helpful tips to ensure your vegan sun-dried tomato sauce turns out perfectly delicious.
Firstly, make sure that you use high-quality ingredients for this recipe. It’s essential to choose homemade or good quality store-bought sun-dried tomatoes that will enhance the flavor and texture of the sauce. Opt for fresh garlic cloves and basil leaves to add an aromatic touch to the dish.
Secondly, adjust the consistency of the sauce according to your pasta choice. If you plan on making a pizza sauce, keep it thick and chunky, while for pasta sauces, add more vegetable broth or water, creating a smoother texture. You may also choose a different nut-based milk instead of water or broth to make it creamier.
Thirdly, balance the flavors by adding sea salt and red pepper flakes little by little throughout the cook. Wait until your sun-dried tomato sauce has released its sweetness before seasoning.
Fourthly, mix up your herb choices to bring out exceptional taste notes in the sauce! When making this recipe, try adding other herbs like thyme or oregano if desired.
Fifthly, if you are looking for a cheesy flavor profile, add in some nutritional yeast; it’ll become creamier and give it an umami boost without any dairy products.
Finally, be creative with how you serve this recipe based on substitutions and variations outlined in the article’s previous section. From pesto pizzas to mushroom pasta salad to creamy tomato pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and soy curls or even kale pasta with avocado cream sauce! Your possibilities are endless!
In summary, these tips will help you create a delicious vegan sun-dried tomato sauce in just 15 minutes while showcasing that plant-based meals can be effortlessly nutritious and scrumptious!
Bottom Line
:
This vegan sun-dried tomato sauce recipe is more than just a sauce, it’s a flavor-packed upgrade to any pasta or pizza dish. Each ingredient works in harmony to bring out the best of each taste bud. This is why plant-based diets are becoming increasingly popular among foodies, vegans and health-conscious individuals.
By making this easy vegan recipe at home with these simple instructions, you’re not only widening your food preferences, but also helping the environment and your health. Choosing a plant-based diet leads to reduced carbon footprint, lowered risk of chronic diseases and better digestion.
So next time you’re craving that amazing pizza or pasta dish, remember that there’s a healthier and more sustainable option at your fingertips. Make this vegan sun-dried tomato sauce for an unforgettable culinary experience.
Vegan Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce (For Pizza or Pasta) Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 large white onion
- 6 garlic cloves
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 18 sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 cup water or 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 2 tablespoons basil (use more if fresh)
- 2 tablespoons italian seasoning
- 1 pinch artificial sweetener (sugar works, if you're not a vegan)
- red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Place first three ingredients into food processor and "chop" roughly. Set aside.
- Boil tomatoes in water (or broth) in a shallow pan.
- When tomatoes have softened, add them and any remaining liquid to the food processor and puree.
- Add remaining 5 ingredients to tomato puree and stir.
- Pour garlic-onion mixture into processor with tomato and puree to desired consistancy. This makes a thick, rich and slightly spicy sauce!
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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Jolo is a talented chef and food blogger with a passion for vegan and Caribbean flavors. From savory vegetarian dishes to tropical smoothies, Jolo’s Kitchen has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for meat-free meals or creative Caribbean recipes, Jolo’s Kitchen is the perfect place for you.