Taking a classic Italian dish and making it vegetarian with this Vegetarian Cacciatore. This recipe may use simple ingredients but it results in a dish that is hearty and delicious.
Growing up, my mom made an amazing chicken cacciatore. She is one of the best cooks I know, and this was one of my favorite dishes. As you probably notice from my other posts, I make mostly vegetarian dishes and stopped eating chicken a few years back. But, I could not stop eating this dish entirely. It really feels like home to me. and I think the best parts of the dish remain in this recipe.
Origins of Cacciatore
While I think it is perfectly acceptable to make this a vegetarian dish, I do want to pay tribute to where it originates. The word “cacciatore” itself means hunter in Italian, and it was traditionally made by huntsmen. Not surprisingly, this dish is most commonly made with chicken or rabbit, but it was not originally made with tomatoes. That addition of tomatoes came later under the influence of southern Italy.
What to serve with Vegetarian Cacciatore
My favorite way to eat vegetable cacciatore is over white rice. It is the absolute perfect pairing, in my mind, and how I typically complete the meal. You could also eat it with:
- Pasta
- Penne or Angel Hair are my go-to choices)
- Italian bread – I love using bread to dip in sauce and always wipe my bowl/plate clean
- Check out my Homemade Italian Bread recipe HERE
- Polenta
Want to add chicken?
While I do not put chicken in this recipe, I imagine some may want to add it. Here are some simple steps you can take prior to following this recipe if you want to make it with chicken.
- Using chicken breast or tenders – clean and trim
- Can leave whole or cut into medium dices
- Put two tablespoons of olive oil in sauté pan on medium heat
- Once oil is warmed, add chicken to the pan in a single layer (salt and pepper, to your preference)
- Let brown for 5-8 minutes, it is best not to move the chicken around the pan in order for it to get a good sear
- Using tongs (or a fork), turn chicken over to brown on the other side, approximately 3-5 minutes
- Remove from pan and set aside to follow Vegetarian Cacciatore recipe
- Once complete, you can add chicken to the sauce and simmer for 10 minutes
If there is any way I miss having chicken, it is stewed in a red sauce like my Quick Tomato Sauce. This cacciatore recipe walks you through the steps to build the dish, and I would recommend making my tomato sauce either along side or ahead of time. Canned sauce just won’t do for this meal, and I promise it is worth the effort to make your own.
This truly is one of my favorite things to make, and it is so easy! Give it a try and let me know what you think in the comments below.
Vegetarian Cacciatore
Equipment
- Slicing Knife
- Cutting Board
- Sauté Pan
- Wooden or rubber spoon
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. Olive Oil
- 2 Garlic Cloves
- 1 Vidalia Onion small to medium slice
- 1 Zucchini medium dice (one large or two small)
- 8 oz. Baby Bella Mushrooms already sliced in the package
- 1 Bell Pepper medium dice (use yellow or orange to give the dish a bit of color)
Instructions
- Wash and dry zucchini and bell pepper – medium dice and set aside
- Peel and quickly rinse Vidalia onion – slice into medium sized pieces
- Slice 2-3 cloves of garlic
- Add two tablespoons of olive oil to sauté pan on medium to medium high heat
- Once warmed, put garlic and Vidalia onions into the pan – sauté until onion is translucent
- Next add diced Zucchini in an even layer, add a sprinkle of salt and pepper – leave for 5-6 mins until lightly browned
- Mix onions, garlic and zucchini around the pan to ensure nothing is burning
- Add Baby Bella Mushrooms – leave for 5-6 mins, stirring minimally to ensure all mushrooms are browning
- Mix in Bell Pepper and cook for 3 minutes – I don't cook these too long because I don't want them to get mushy
- Add in your sauce – Use my Quick Tomato Sauce recipe on the blog
- Bring to a quick boil then reduce to simmer for 10-15 mins. – at this point you are simply allowing the flavors to meld together!
- Serve over rice, pasta, polenta or with Italian Bread!
Notes
- Nutrition facts & Cost do not include the tomato sauce – you can refer to my Quick Tomato Sauce recipe on the blog for additional information
- You can refer to my Homemade Italian Bread recipe if you want to pair with bread
- If you decide to pair with rice or pasta, simply follow the recipes on the box you use
I absolutely love this recipe! My mother-in-law taught me how to make chicken cacciatore, but I can’t have chicken anymore. This has been a perfect substitute. Thank you!
I am so glad you like it! I have taken chicken out of my diet for a number of years, so it was important to me to adapt this and still enjoy all I love about cacciatore. Thanks for your comment!