Vegetarians need great homemade sauce recipes in their stockpile. Whether rich and creamy or light and spicy, sauces are versatile and an easy way to add pizzazz and flavor to vegetarian foods.

Vegetarian Recipes for Sauce

There are dozens if not hundreds of vegetarian and vegan sauce recipes, but if you have a few basic recipes, it's easy to build upon them. For the most part, sauces are forgiving, and you can easily stretch the servings by adding a cup of liquid.

Red Sauce Red sauce may be used over pasta, on veggie or bean burgers, in vegetarian chili, on pizza, drizzled over roasted or grilled veggies, or as a dipping sauce for bread or crudites. This sauce makes 10 to 11 cups, leaving plenty leftover to freeze for later.

The longer you simmer this hearty sauce, the more flavorful it becomes. If it becomes too thick, add a cup of tomato juice, tomato sauce, or water.

White Sauce White sauce, also known as bechamel, is a culinary staple. Use it in vegetables lasagna, on pizza, poured over vegetables, or in vegetables casseroles. This recipe makes about 2-1/2 cups.

Pesto Sauce Pesto sauce made from basil and raw nuts is rich, creamy, sinful, and classically vegetarian. This recipe is delicious on pasta, pizza, sandwiches, wraps, and lasagna. The recipe makes about 1- 1/2 cups.

You can substitute walnuts for pine nuts in this recipe. You may also use kale, arugula, or other dark greens instead of basil. If you prefer pesto less thick, omit the nutritional yeast or cheese. Remember, a little pesto goes a long way. One to two tablespoons is a generous serving.

Options Galore

Many sauces are vegetarian by nature; that is, they're made from plant-based foods such as tomatoes, herbs, and spices. Other sauces are easily modified to vegan by using dairy-free ingredients. Experiment with your favorite sauce recipes by adding a variety of chopped vegetables, herbs, and spices. If you want a kick or Southwestern flair, add a chopped jalapeno peppers or diced green chilies. The possibilities are only limited by your culinary imagination.
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