Description
Vegan Bolognese is so hearty you'll never miss the meat! Mushrooms and walnuts step in to create texture in this rich and bold sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 2 large carrots, rough chopped
- 2 stalks celery, rough chopped
- 1 onion, rough chopped
- 1 cup raw walnuts
- 16 oz crimini mushrooms
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup red wine
- 26 oz. strained tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tamari
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup vegan parmesan
- 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
Instructions
- Add the carrots, celery, and onion into the food processor. Pulse until they are finely chopped. Remove from the food processor and set aside. Add in the walnuts and mushrooms. Pulse again until they are also finely chopped and resemble ground meat.
- Heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large dutch oven. Add in the carrot, celery, onion mixture and sauté until caramelized, about 10-12 minutes.
- Add in the remaining olive oil and the mushroom walnut mixture. Sauté until deeply brown, about 10-12 minutes.
- Stir in the Italian seasoning, garlic and wine. Let the wine simmer for 3-5 minutes to allow the alcohol to cook off. Add in the tomatoes and tamari. Cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes until the sauce thickens and the flavors deepen.
- Uncover and stir in the balsamic, parmesan, and salt. By now it should look like meat sauce! Serve with your favorite pasta.
Notes
Use a good red wine you wouldn't mind drinking since you'll be able to taste it in the sauce. I like a rich red like a bordeaux or chianti.
Strained tomatoes are also called tomato puree and they have a fresher tomato flavor. You can also use tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes in equal amounts.
For the tamari you can sub liquid aminos or soy sauce.
I like the extra funk in vegan parm, but you could substitute 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast in place of the cheese. Or use regular cheese if not vegan!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6th recipe
- Calories: 347
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 525mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 16
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
