Vegan Bolognese Recipe
Rich, savory Vegan Bolognese. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a super-easy pasta sauce that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Servings: 6 (yield: 6 cups)
Calories: 491kcal
Cost: $11
Ingredients
- 4 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 ¼ cup onion diced
- ½ cup carrot minced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ½ cup ground seitan or vegan ground beef (Beyond Meat, Impossible, etc.) (12 oz.)
- 1 ¾ cup red wine (375 ml.) or vegetable stock
- 28 oz. whole peeled tomatoes (canned)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
To serve:
- 1 lb. Spaghetti cooked
- Chopped parsley optional
- Vegan parmesan cheese optional
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Sauté diced onion and minced carrot for 4-5 minutes until soft and fragrant.
- Add minced garlic and ground seitan (or vegan ground beef), cooking for about 5 minutes until the mince is lightly browned. If using Beyond Beef, or Impossible meat, make sure to thoroughly break it up to avoid large chunks forming together.
- Deglaze the pan with red wine or vegetable stock, scraping up any bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for a few minutes.
- Add canned whole peeled tomatoes with their juice, breaking the tomatoes apart by hand or with a fork before adding them in.
- Stir tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, sugar, a bay leaf, oregano, red pepper flakes (if you are using them)salt, and ground black pepper into the pan with the sauteeing vegan meat and crushed tomatoes.
- Let the sauce simmer over low heat, uncovered, for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should thicken and darken slightly. Remove the bay leaf and stir in extra virgin olive oil just before serving.
- Serve the bolognese over cooked spaghetti, garnished with chopped parsley and vegan parmesan if desired.
Notes
🌟 Sweet Start Sauté:
Don’t rush the sautéing of onions and carrots to caramelize their natural sugars. This step not only softens them but also enhances the sauce's flavor, balancing the acidity of the wine.
🍷 Vegan Vino Verification:
Ensure your wine is vegan. Animal-derived products like gelatin, isinglass, or egg whites are often used in wine production. Check Barnivore.com for a comprehensive list of vegan-friendly wines.
⚖️ Flavor Balancing Act:
Remember, the key to a great sauce is balancing sweetness and acidity. If your canned tomatoes lack flavor, adjust with a small splash of vinegar or a sprinkle of sweetener to enhance the taste.
Nutrition
Calories: 491kcal | Carbohydrates: 76g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 777mg | Potassium: 793mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 2156IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 86mg | Iron: 4mg