Easy Vegan Spaghetti with homemade vegan spaghetti sauce made from 10 simple ingredients in just 1 pot. Perfect for busy weeknights, this delicious recipe is quick to make and freezer-friendly!
You'll love how the flavors come together with vegan ground beef and marinara sauce. This hearty and satisfying meal is tasty and nutritious, perfect for the whole family to enjoy at dinner.
Whether you're new to vegan cooking or a long-time fan, this spaghetti recipe is a winner. It's super easy to make and great for meal prepping, so you'll always have a tasty home-cooked meal ready to go.
Craving more delicious recipes with vegan ground beef? Don't miss out on my Vegan Bolognese, hearty Vegan Sloppy Joes, and satisfying Vegan Lasagna. Give them a try!
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🌟 Why you'll love this recipe
- Easy to make: With just 10 basic ingredients and one pot, this recipe is super simple and straightforward. You don’t need any fancy tools or complicated steps.
- Quick: Ideal for those busy weeknights when you don’t have a lot of time to cook. This recipe comes together quickly, so you can have a tasty dinner on the table fast.
- Healthy: It's loaded with nutritious ingredients that are good for you. You can enjoy a delicious meal without feeling guilty about what you’re eating.
- Freezer-friendly: You can make a big batch and freeze portions for later. This makes it perfect for meal prep and ensures you always have a home-cooked meal ready to go.
- Tasty and flexible: The rich marinara sauce and vegan ground beef make this dish flavorful and satisfying. Plus, you can easily switch up the ingredients to keep things interesting.
🧾 Ingredient notes
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: It has a rich flavor that makes dishes taste better and is packed with healthy fats and antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation and lower the risk of heart disease.
You can also use coconut oil for a light taste, avocado oil for high-heat cooking, canola oil for a neutral taste, or sunflower oil, which is neutral but lacks olive oil’s unique flavor.
Vegan Ground Beef: Any brand of vegan ground beef is okay. You could also use any type of plant-based protein, like lentils, other legumes, tofu, or textured vegetable protein.
Marinara Sauce: You can use store-bought marinara sauce, but it's worth making your own Homemade Marinara Sauce because it tastes much better, is healthier, and the recipe is very simple.
Marinara sauce has a rich flavor that enhances the dish, but if you prefer, you can also use Tomato Sauce, crushed tomatoes, or even tomato paste mixed with water.
Tomato Paste: You can skip it, but it's a good idea to use it because it makes the sauce richer and more flavorful.
Spaghetti: You can use any pasta you like. Alternatives include whole wheat pasta, gluten-free pasta, zucchini noodles (zoodles), or even spaghetti squash.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
📋 Variations
- Spicy Vegan Spaghetti: Add 1 teaspoon of red chili flakes and 1-2 tablespoons of hot sauce to the marinara for a spicy kick.
- Mushroom Vegan Spaghetti: Include 1 cup (70 grams) of sliced fresh mushrooms along with the onion and garlic for an earthy texture and flavor.
- Creamy Vegan Spaghetti: Add a cup (240 milliliters) of Coconut Milk or Vegan Heavy Cream to the sauce for a creamier version.
- Veggie-loaded Vegan Spaghetti: Incorporate 1 cup (30 grams) of spinach, 1 sliced red bell pepper, 1 sliced zucchini, and 1 cup (110 grams) of shredded carrots.
- Mediterranean Vegan Spaghetti: Add ½ cup (60 grams) of sliced black olives, 1 cup (150 grams) of artichoke hearts (quartered), and ½ cup (55 grams) of sun-dried tomatoes.
🔪 Instructions
Step 1. Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large pot. Add the onion, garlic, and vegan ground beef and cook until the vegan ground beef is browned and the onion is soft, about 5 to 6 minutes.
Step 2. Add all the remaining ingredients to the pot, stir well and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 3. Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti according to package directions. Drain well and toss the drained pasta with the sauce until evenly coated.
Step 4. Serve immediately, optionally topping with shredded vegan cheese or Vegan Parmesan Cheese for extra flavor.
💭 Expert tips
- Properly Cook the Vegan Ground Beef: Ensure the vegan ground beef is thoroughly cooked to eliminate any raw taste and to develop a rich, savory flavor.
- Simmer for Flavor: Allow the sauce to simmer on low heat for at least 20 minutes to meld the flavors together. For even richer flavor, simmering for longer is even better.
- Balance Acidity: If your sauce tastes too acidic, add a pinch of sugar. This simple trick helps to balance the acidity of the tomatoes and enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
- Cook Pasta Al Dente: Follow the package instructions to cook the spaghetti al dente, ensuring it retains a slight firmness when bitten for the perfect texture.
- Let it Rest: Allow the cooked pasta to sit in the sauce for a few minutes off the heat before serving. This helps the flavors meld together.
❓Recipe FAQs
It will stay good in the fridge for around 3 to 5 days. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container.
If it starts to smell funny or look weird, it's probably time to toss it out.
Yes, you can freeze it for later! Make sure it's cooled down first. Portion it into servings, then store in airtight containers or freezer bags. Label them with the date.
When you're ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stove or in the microwave until hot. Enjoy your homemade meal whenever you want!
To reheat leftover vegan spaghetti, you have a few options depending on your preference and time available.
Stovetop: Place the spaghetti in a saucepan or skillet with a splash of water or vegetable broth to prevent sticking.
Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
Microwave: Transfer the spaghetti to a microwave-safe dish.
Then cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until thoroughly warmed.
Oven: For larger portions, preheat your oven to a low temperature (around 300°F or 150°C).
Place the spaghetti in an oven-safe dish covered with foil or a lid, and heat for about 20-30 minutes or until heated through.
To make this recipe gluten-free, choose gluten-free spaghetti or another gluten-free pasta option made from ingredients like rice, corn, quinoa, or lentils.
Ensure all ingredients, including vegan ground beef, marinara sauce, and tomato paste, are certified gluten-free.
Substitute any gluten-containing ingredients with suitable alternatives and maintain cleanliness to prevent cross-contamination during preparation.
It goes great with a so many tasty sides!
You can serve it with Vegan Garlic Bread or breadsticks for dipping into the sauce. A simple green salad with a light dressing adds a fresh touch.
Roasted veggies like Roasted Broccoli or Roasted Red Peppers are also delicious on the side.
If you're feeling fancy, put together an antipasto platter with olives, artichokes, and vegan cheeses. Or try some Bruschetta, it's a flavorful option to round out your meal.
These sides really complement the flavors of vegan spaghetti and make it a satisfying feast!
Did you like this recipe? Please leave a rating and comment below!
Easy Vegan Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 16 ounces vegan ground beef, you could also use any type of plant-based protein, like lentils, other legumes, tofu, or textured vegetable protein
- 1 24-ounce jar store-bought marinara sauce or 1 batch homemade marinara sauce
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning or oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 12 ounces dried spaghetti
Instructions
- Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large pot. Add the onion, garlic, and vegan ground beef and cook until the vegan ground beef is browned and the onion is soft, about 5 to 6 minutes.
- Add all the remaining ingredients to the pot, stir well, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti according to package directions. Drain well and toss the drained pasta with the sauce until evenly coated.
- Serve immediately, optionally topping with shredded vegan cheese or Vegan Parmesan Cheese for extra flavor.
Notes
- Properly Cook the Vegan Ground Beef: Ensure the vegan ground beef is thoroughly cooked to eliminate any raw taste and to develop a rich, savory flavor.
- Simmer for Flavor: Allow the sauce to simmer on low heat for at least 20 minutes to meld the flavors together. For even richer flavor, simmering for longer is even better.
- Balance Acidity: If your sauce tastes too acidic, add a pinch of sugar. This simple trick helps to balance the acidity of the tomatoes and enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
- Cook Pasta Al Dente: Follow the package instructions to cook the spaghetti al dente, ensuring it retains a slight firmness when bitten for the perfect texture.
- Let it Rest: Allow the cooked pasta to sit in the sauce for a few minutes off the heat before serving. This helps the flavors meld together.
Bill says
Perfect!
Iosune says
Hi Bill! Thanks a lot 🙂
joe says
This recipe is not new to me. That's how mother used to cook spaghetti when we were kids but with no milk. Needless to say I don't use beef but TVP and it turms out excellent.
Iosune Robles says
Thanks for your kind comment!
Iosune says
Hi again! I've improved the recipe and now it doesn't contain any milk 🙂