Big chunks of hearty seitan combined with meaty mushrooms makes this sauce a super satisfying choice for topping pasta of any kind. Celery adds delicious flavor without overwhelming this chunky sauce.
Seitan Marinara Sauce with Bow Tie Pasta
Makes 4 to 6 Servings
Ingredients:
• 3 cups sliced celery, with leaves
• 1 onion, chopped
• 8 ounces cremini or white button mushrooms, chopped
• 2/3 cup filtered or spring water
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
• 1/2 teaspoon reduced-sodium tamari
• 1/8 heaping teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 8 ounces seitan, chopped or 8 ounces ground seitan
• 20 to 22 ounces vegan, low fat marinara sauce
• 1 pound tri-color or whole grain bow tie, fusilli or penne pasta
Instructions
1. Put the celery, onion, 1/3 cup water, Italian seasoning, tamari, and crushed red pepper in a large skillet. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, over medium-low heat for 16 to 18 minutes, or until the celery and onions have softened.
2. Add the seitan, marinara and 1/3 cup water, Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, over medium-low heat for 15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir in the pasta. Decrease the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender but firm. Drain the pasta well.
4. Divide the pasta into each of four to six pasta bowls. Top with a generous portion of the seitan sauce. Serve hot.
Chef’s Note: Need to keep it gluten-free? Just substitute your favorite variety of canned beans (drained and rinsed) for the seitan and use gluten-free pasta.
Laura Theodore is a 2014 TASTE award-winning television personality, radio host, vegan chef, cookbook author and recording artist. She is author of Jazzy Vegetarian Classics: Vegan Twists on American Family Favorites and Jazzy Vegetarian: Lively Vegan Cuisine Made Easy and Delicious. Laura is the on-camera host, writer and co-producer of the popular cooking show, Jazzy Vegetarian and hosts the weekly podcast radio show, Jazzy Vegetarian Radio.
