Introduction
Imagine this: it’s been one of those days where the only thing you’ve managed to conquer is the art of procrastination—and now, your stomach’s staging a full-on rebellion. Enter our Spicy Marinara Sauce, the vegan superhero your weeknight dinner desperately needs. It’s the kind of sauce that sneaks in with a wink and a nudge, promising a cozy, comforting hug in every bite without any of the usual fuss.
This isn’t your grandma’s marinara—unless granny’s secretly been moonlighting as a spice ninja. It’s got just the right kick to wake up your taste buds and a richness that says, “Yeah, I’m plant-based and proud.”
Whether you’re twirling spaghetti or dolloping it over roasted veggies, it’s the perfect sidekick for when you want a meal that feels like a warm blanket but tastes like a fiesta.
For a wholesome start to your day, consider pairing this sauce with a plant-based breakfast to keep the energy flowing.
Ingredients
- 1 tsp olive oil (liquid gold)
- 4 cloves garlic (flavor bombs)
- 1 red onion
- 1 heaped tsp smoked paprika
- 1 heaped tsp cumin
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tin chopped tomatoes (400g) or 6 fresh, ripe tomatoes
- 1 tbsp pepper (or tomato) purée
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- Salt & pepper to taste
With these vibrant and zesty ingredients, your taste buds are in for a spicy treat that’ll make your pasta dance the tango!
This marinara sauce is proof that plant-based cooking can be bold, tasty, and totally fuss-free—no meat required to bring all the flavor. Choosing plant-based options like this sauce also supports lower water usage compared to traditional dairy or meat-based sauces.
How to Make It
Alright, let’s plunge into making this spicy marinara sauce that’s basically a flavor fiesta in your frying pan. Grab your 1 teaspoon of olive oil and heat it up like you mean it—medium heat is the sweet spot here, so don’t go turning it into a lava pit. Toss in those 4 cloves of thinly sliced garlic and one chopped red onion. Let them get all soft and chatty with each other, stirring occasionally so nothing sticks or burns—unless you want smoky bits, but let’s keep it classy.
Once your kitchen smells like a cozy Italian bistro, sprinkle in a heaped teaspoon each of smoked paprika and cumin, plus half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper for that cheeky kick, and 2 teaspoons of dried oregano to bring in some herbal magic. Give it a good stir and let those spices do their little salsa dance for about a minute.
Now, it’s time to get saucy. Pour in a 400g tin of chopped tomatoes (or if you’re feeling fancy and have 6 fresh, ripe tomatoes, go for it) along with a tablespoon of pepper or tomato purée to thicken things up. Don’t forget a splash—actually, a tablespoon—of balsamic vinegar to add a nice tangy twist that’ll have your taste buds doing backflips.
Stir everything like you mean it and then let it simmer for about 10 minutes. This is where the sauce starts to come alive, bubbling away as the flavors marry beautifully.
Here comes the fun part—grab your food processor and blitz that simmered goodness until it’s smoother than a jazz playlist on a Sunday morning. Pour it back into the pan, season with salt and pepper to taste (because every sauce needs a sprinkle of sass), and let it reduce some more over a low simmer for at least another 10 minutes.
Adding a touch of olive oil not only enhances the flavor but also adds a healthy richness to your sauce.
If you’re not plunging directly in, let it cool before storing—because nobody likes a burnt tongue or a sad sauce. And there you have it, a spicy marinara that’s perfect for draping over your favorite spaghetti or jazzing up any plant-based dish that needs a little fiery love.
Bonus Tips
- Feeling fancy? Toss in a splash of vegan red wine for that “I totally have a secret gourmet chef” vibe.
- Want to turn up the heat? Add a pinch more cayenne, but beware — this sauce bites back!
- Leftover sauce? Freeze it in ice cube trays for quick, spicy flavor bombs anytime your pasta’s feeling lonely.
Why You’ll Love It
This spicy marinara sauce is like the cool vegan kid at the pasta party—bold, a little sassy, and ready to steal the show without breaking a sweat.
It’s speedy enough for weeknight dinners but packs a flavor punch that’ll make your taste buds dance the salsa (or maybe just a polite cha-cha).
Plus, it’s as flexible as your favorite yoga pose—perfect for everything from spaghetti to slathering on a plant-based pizza slice.
Basically, it’s your new saucy sidekick in the kitchen, turning humble tomatoes into a spicy superstar with zero drama.
Nutritional Info
These are estimated values.
Calories: 90
Protein: 2 g
Carbohydrates: 15 g
Fat: 3 g
Nutrition estimates are provided for vibe-check purposes only — they aren’t legally binding promises of eternal health or six-pack abs.
