This Vegan Bolognese is a rich, hearty, and flavorful twist on the classic Italian dish, made entirely plant based. Featuring lentils or crumbled tempeh as the base, it’s simmered in a savory tomato sauce with aromatic herbs and spices, creating a thick, comforting sauce that pairs perfectly with your favorite pasta. This delicious, protein-packed dish is not only vegan but also gluten-free (when served with gluten-free pasta), making it a versatile and satisfying meal for all. Perfect for cozy dinners or meal prepping for the week!
Ingredients
- 30g dried porcini mushrooms
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 500g chestnut mushrooms, finely diced
- 2 onions, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 carrots, grated
- 2 stalks celery, finely diced
- thyme leaves, chopped to make 1 tsp
- rosemary leaves, chopped to make 1 tsp
- 1 tsp celery salt
- 1 star anise
- 2 tbsp tomato purée
- 2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
- ½ a small bunch basil, torn
- 400g tagliatelle
Instructions
Steps:
- Put the porcini in a bowl and pour over 200ml boiling water. Leave to soak while you start the sauce.
- Heat a large non-stick pan until hot and add 1 tbsp olive oil. Add the chestnut mushrooms and a pinch of salt, and fry, stirring, until they start to soften and give out liquid. Keep frying until all the moisture has disappeared and the mushrooms have coloured to a dark golden brown. Don’t skimp on this bit as this will ensure you get maximum flavour in the finished sauce. Scoop out the mushrooms then add the onions, garlic, carrots and celery to the same pan with another tbsp of olive oil and stir well. Put on a lid and cook for 10 minutes, stirring now and again, or until the veg has softened. Add the herbs, celery salt, star anise and tomato purée. Drain the porcini mushrooms, keeping the liquid. Chop the porcini well and add to the sauce, along with the strained liquid. Tip the cooked chestnut mushrooms back in.
- Cook, stirring, for a minute then tip in the chopped tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Cook for 30 minutes until the sauce is rich and thick, and stir through the basil just before serving. Cook the tagliatelle following pack instructions, then drain and toss with the sauce before serving.
