This is a variation on an award winning spaghetti sauce. I didn’t eat beef or pork for about 12 years before going full vegetarian in 2007. In that time, I used lean turkey instead of the beef the recipe originally called for. Now, I make it with Morningstar Farms vegetarian crumbles (ground meat substitute)… and it’s fantastic.
There are a lot of variations on this… but here are the basics.
Ingredients:
1 cup finely chopped onions
2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Tablespoon Oregano
2 Cloves Garlic
2 Tablespoons Italian Seasoning
2 cans Organic Tomato Sauce
2 cans Organic Stewed Tomatoes (can used diced or whole, depending on your preference)
1 Package Vegetarian “Meat” – Morningstar Farms Meal Starter Crumbles
1 Tablespoon sugar
1/2 Tablespoon Chili Powder
Salt, Pepper to taste
1 can tomato paste
Simple – and fantastic – starts here!
Heat the olive oil in a large pot, then add onions, oregano, italian seasoning, and garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes or until onions are soft. add Tomato Sauce and bring to a simmer. After 3-5 minutes, add canned tomatoes and Vegetarian “Meat.” Add a pinch of salt and pepper (to taste).
Stir consistently while simmering for another 5 minutes. STOP STIRRING – add sugar (don’t mix it in) and Chili Powder (add in a different area from the sugar – don’t stir). Wait 3 minutes without stirring – then stir in completely.
Continue simmering for 30 minutes, then add the tomato paste.
Simmer 15 more minutes, stirring frequently.
Serve over your favorite pasta.