Easy Vegan Bolognese Sauce
This Vegan Bolognese Sauce is rich, savory, easy to make, and incredibly satisfying. Made with a mix of vegetables and vegan ground beef, it’s the perfect hearty meal for any pasta lover!
Servings: 6
Calories: 360kcal
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 large carrot peeled and finely diced
- 1 rib celery finely diced
- 1 pound vegan ground beef or 2 14-ounce cans lentils (400 grams each)
- 1 cup red wine or vegetable broth
- 1 cup unsweetened soy milk or any other unsweetened non-dairy milk
- 1 28-ounce can whole tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 teaspoons oregano or Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 12 ounces pasta of your choice I used spaghetti
Instructions
- Heat oil over medium heat in a large pot. Add onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add garlic, carrot, and celery, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the vegan ground beef, break it up with a wooden spoon, and cook over medium-high heat until browned, stirring occasionally. If you use lentils, just cook them for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the wine and cook over high heat until the liquid is absorbed, about 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in all remaining ingredients (except the pasta), and bring to a boil. Break the tomatoes up with a wooden spoon. Then simmer covered for at least 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package directions. Remove the bay leaf, drain the pasta well, and toss it with the sauce until evenly coated.
- Serve immediately, optionally topping with fresh basil, shredded vegan cheese or Vegan Parmesan Cheese for extra flavor.
Notes
- Simmer Low and Slow: Allow the sauce to simmer on low heat for at least 30 minutes. If you have more time, even better, as it enhances flavor and thickens the sauce.
- Stir Occasionally: Stir the sauce occasionally while it simmers to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot and to ensure even cooking.
- Add a Pinch of Sugar: If your tomatoes are too acidic, add a pinch of sugar to balance the flavors. This can make a big difference in the overall taste of the sauce.
- Let It Rest: If you have time, let the sauce rest for a few minutes before mixing it with the pasta. This allows the flavors to settle and the sauce to thicken further.
- Cook Pasta Al Dente: Follow the package instructions to cook the pasta al dente, ensuring it retains a slight firmness when bitten for the perfect texture.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 360kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 270mg | Potassium: 375mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1909IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 2mg