If you are on your AIP journey or simply cannot tolerate tomatoes but you are craving rich marinara sauce, this nomato sauce is the perfect solution! It is also a lower histamine option. This vibrant sauce is nightshade free, vegan, dairy free and gluten free! This recipe offers a delicious substitute for traditional tomato sauce, made with simple, whole food ingredients. With minimal prep and an easy cooking process, you can whip up a batch of this AIP-friendly “nomato” sauce in no time! This recipe takes under 30 minutes from start to finish and is perfect for adding to pasta, pizza, sandwiches or anything else you desire!
What is Nomato Sauce?
Nomato sauce is a clever invention for those of us who cannot tolerate tomatoes. At its core, it’s a marinara sauce made without any tomatoes whatsoever. It is nightshade free which makes it ideal for folks following the AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) or those with nightshade sensitivities, since tomatoes are a nightshade vegetable. Nomato sauce recipes generally focus on using healthy, unprocessed ingredients to create a flavorful sauce.
Why You’ll Love This Sauce
It’s so easy to make!
This sauce is a great substitute if you cannot tolerate tomatoes.
It is kid-friendly!
When you throw it in my gluten free pasta bake, no one will know the difference!
This sauce is gluten free, dairy free, vegan and nightshade free.
It comes together in under 30 minutes.
Using my mirepoix hack, there is little to no chopping involved in this recipe.
Equipment Needed
All you need to make this recipe is a grater, pan and an immersion blender or high-speed blender.
Ingredients Needed
Avocado Oil: I used avocado oil to cook the vegetables!
Mirepoix: This stuff truly is a lifesaver. The classic mirepoix consists of three vegetables: onions, carrots and celery, all finely chopped. I buy this frozen and I used it as a base for this sauce to make it quicker and avoid having to chop multiple vegetables. Feel free to use fresh vegetables though if that’s what you prefer or have on hand! This is just a nice shortcut.
Beet: The beet offers a beautiful, naturally red hue that mimics the color of tomato sauce. This visual appeal makes this sauce a more convincing substitute for traditional marinara. Beet add a touch of sweetness to this nomato sauce, balancing out the acidity of other ingredients and creating a more complex flavor profile. It helps to create a thicker consistency, similar to what cooked tomatoes would provide.
Spices: I used oregano, thyme and garlic powder to give this sauce a delicious flavor.
Salt: My favorite is Redmond’s Real Salt because it is high-quality and made with zero fillers. If you use my discount code LESSWITHLAUR you can get 15% off Redmond’s website.
Lemon: I used lemon in this nomato sauce because tomatoes naturally bring a touch of acidity to marinara sauce. Since nomato sauce skips the tomatoes, lemon juice steps in to add that necessary brightness and tang. This acidity helps to balance out the sweetness from other ingredients like beets or carrots, creating a more complex and well-rounded flavor profile. A squeeze of lemon juice adds a touch of freshness to the nomato sauce, mimicking the zing of fresh tomatoes.
Honey: Honey plays a balancing act in nomato sauce, offering a touch of sweetness to mimic tomatoes and enhance other flavors. Tomatoes, when cooked, have a natural sweetness that contributes to the overall flavor profile of marinara sauce. Honey, with its natural sugars, helps to recreate that sweetness in tomato sauce. This can be particularly important since some of the vegetables used, like beets, can also have a touch of sweetness, but it might not be as prominent as in tomatoes.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Gather your ingredients.
Step 2: Add oil and vegetables to a pan and cook over low-medium heat.
Step 3: Add in spices and salt and cook for 7-8 minutes.
Step 4: Pour honey and lemon juice into pan and mix.
Step 5: Transfer mixture to a blender and blend until smooth or use an immersion blender to blend for a chunkier sauce. Enjoy!
Storage
Store this nomato sauce in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freeze this nomato sauce for up to 3 months.
How to Serve
Over Pasta: The most common way to serve nomato sauce is tossed with your favorite gluten free pasta. It creates a satisfying and flavorful pasta bake or a simple pasta dish.
Pizza Sauce: Spread nomato sauce over a gluten free pizza crust for a delicious pizza! Top it with your favorite toppings like grilled vegetables, vegan cheese or chopped herbs.
Lasagna: Use nomato sauce as a layer in a homemade lasagna. Alternate it with creamy cashew cheese or vegan ricotta and vegetables for a show-stopping main course.
Vegetable Medley: Spoon nomato sauce over roasted or steamed vegetables for a colorful and flavorful side dish. Pair it with roasted cauliflower, zucchini, eggplant or Brussels sprouts.
As a Dip: Thin down your nomato sauce with a little extra broth or water and use it as a dipping sauce for gluten free crackers, vegetable sticks or plantain chips.
Variations
Vegetables: I used mirepoix in this recipe because it makes it so easy but you can also use fresh vegetables!
Spices: Feel free to play around with different spice blends. Try adding onion powder, black pepper or red pepper flakes.
Recipe FAQ
Can I omit the beets in this recipe?
I would not recommend omitting the beet in this recipe because it creates the color and adds to the flavor.
Can I freeze this sauce?
Yes! Feel free to freeze the sauce for up to 3 months. This is a great one to have on hand.
How can I use this sauce?
Use this nomato sauce on pasta, pizza, sandwiches and more!
Can I make this in the Instant Pot?
I have not tried making this recipe in the Instant Pot but you should be able to!
What is nomato made of?
This nomato sauce is with carrots, onions, celery, beet, honey, spices, lemon and salt!
Is nomato sauce gluten free?
This nomato sauce recipe is gluten free!
What to use if you don’t have marinara sauce?
I love using nomato sauce or pesto sauce.
Can I add different seasonings?
Sure! Feel free to add any seasonings to this sauce that you love!
Can I add more herbs?
Definitely!
Related Recipes
Be sure to try these other delicious sauces and dressings next:
If you make this nomato sauce and love it, I would really appreciate a 5 star review! I also love seeing your creations so please tag me on Instagram or Tik Tok.
Nomato Sauce
Equipment
- 1 pan
- 1 blender or immersion blender
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 2 bags mirepoix
- 1/2 cup shredded beets
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- dash salt
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 1 1/2 tbsp honey
Instructions
- Add oil and vegetables to a pan and cook over low-medium heat.
- Add in spices and salt and cook for 7-8 minutes.
- Pour honey and lemon juice into pan and mix.
- Transfer mixture to a blender and blend until smooth or use an immersion blender to blend for a chunkier sauce. Enjoy!
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