Vegetarian spaghetti with tomato sauce and mushrooms

Vegetarian spaghetti with tomato sauce and mushrooms is a simple but nutritious dish, suitable for those following a vegetarian diet or wanting to enjoy a light meal. The combination of spaghetti, mushrooms and fresh tomato sauce creates a delicious and attractive flavor, while also providing lots of fiber, vitamins and minerals. In this article, we will learn how to make vegetarian spaghetti with tomato and mushroom sauce simply at home, but still retain the traditional flavor of Italian cuisine.

1. Health Benefits of Vegetarian Pasta

Vegetarian spaghetti with tomato sauce and mushrooms is not only delicious but also brings many health benefits. Here are some reasons you should add this dish to your daily menu:

Rich in fiber: Spaghetti combined with mushrooms and tomatoes provides a large amount of fiber, helping to improve the digestive system and effectively support weight loss.
Contains many vitamins and minerals: Tomatoes and mushrooms are both good sources of vitamins A, C, K, along with minerals such as potassium and magnesium, which help strengthen the immune system and protect heart health.
Suitable for vegetarians: With ingredients entirely from plants, vegetarian pasta is an ideal choice for those who follow a vegetarian diet or want to reduce the amount of meat in their diet.
Low in calories, contains no cholesterol: Vegetarian pasta is cholesterol-free and low in calories, making it a great choice for those who want to maintain their weight and overall health.

By preparing this dish, you not only get a frugal dinner but also ensure adequate nutrition for your body.

2. Ingredients Needed to Prepare

To make vegetarian spaghetti with tomato sauce and mushrooms, you need to prepare the following ingredients:

200g spaghetti (optional spaghetti, fettuccine or penne)
200g button mushrooms or shiitake mushrooms (thinly sliced)
4 ripe tomatoes (chopped)
1 small onion (minced)
3-4 garlic cloves (minced)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried basil (or fresh basil)
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Salt (depending on taste)
1/2 teaspoon sugar (to balance the acidity of the tomatoes)

The ingredients for this vegetarian pasta dish are easy to find and can be adjusted to personal taste. You can also add other vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini for added flavor.

3. How to Make Vegetarian Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce and Mushrooms

Here are simple steps to make vegetarian spaghetti with tomato and mushroom sauce at home:

Step 1: Boil Spaghetti

Boil a large pot of water with a pinch of salt. When the water boils, add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions (usually about 8-10 minutes) until al dente. Then, take the noodles out, drain them and mix with a little olive oil to keep them from sticking.

Step 2: Prepare Tomato and Mushroom Sauce

In a large pan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add minced onion and garlic and saute for about 2-3 minutes until onion is soft. Then, add sliced mushrooms to the pan, stir-fry until mushrooms are cooked and lightly golden.

Add chopped tomatoes to the pan, stir well and let cook for about 10-12 minutes until tomatoes are soft and blended into a sauce. If the tomatoes are too sour, you can add a little sugar to balance the flavor. Add basil, oregano, salt and black pepper, continue stirring well to let the sauce absorb the spices.

Step 3: Combine Noodles With Sauce

When the sauce is done, add the boiled spaghetti to the sauce pan. Mix the noodles well with tomato sauce and mushrooms, so that the noodles absorb the flavors evenly. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a little pasta water to make the sauce looser and easier to mix.

Step 4: Enjoy

Once the noodles and sauce are combined, spoon onto a plate and garnish with some fresh basil leaves or dried oregano. Vegetarian spaghetti with tomato sauce and mushrooms should be enjoyed while still warm to fully enjoy the delicious and frugal flavor.

4. Variation of Vegetarian Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce and Mushrooms

You can vary vegetarian spaghetti with tomato sauce and mushrooms in many different ways to enrich your daily menu. Here are some suggestions:

Vegetarian spaghetti with vegetables: Add vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach to noodles to boost fiber and vitamins.
Vegetarian spaghetti with tofu: Replace mushrooms with fried tofu or silken tofu to add richness and protein to the dish.
Vegetarian spaghetti with cashew cream sauce: Replace the tomato sauce with a creamy sauce made from soaked and pureed cashews, combined with mushrooms to create a rich, delicious vegetarian noodle dish.
Vegetarian pasta with pesto sauce: Use vegetarian pesto sauce (made from basil, garlic, pine nuts and olive oil) instead of tomato sauce to create a new and unique flavor for pasta dishes.

These variations not only help make the dish more diverse but also provide more nutrients and new flavors.

5. Notes When Making Vegetarian Pasta

To make vegetarian spaghetti with tomato sauce and mushrooms delicious and nutritious, you need to note the following points:

Choose the right pasta: You can use whole wheat pasta to increase fiber and nutrition, making the dish healthier.Balance the sauce flavor: If the tomato sauce is too sour, add a little sugar or honey to balance the taste. Don’t forget to add salt and pepper to taste.
Don’t cook for too long: Spaghetti should be boiled for the right time and retain its chewiness, not too soft. Tomato sauce also only needs to be cooked moderately to retain the fresh flavor of the tomatoes.
Store leftover noodles: If you don’t use all the noodles right away, you can store them in the refrigerator. When reheating, you can add a little water or olive oil to keep the noodles from drying out.

With these notes, you will easily make vegetarian spaghetti with tomato sauce and mushrooms that is both delicious and nutritious.