{"id":81825,"date":"2023-10-14T21:00:59","date_gmt":"2023-10-14T19:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ellerepublic.de\/?p=81825"},"modified":"2023-10-14T20:50:10","modified_gmt":"2023-10-14T18:50:10","slug":"vegan-bolognese-sauce-recipe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ellerepublic.de\/en\/vegan-bolognese-sauce-recipe\/","title":{"rendered":"Vegan Bolognese Sauce Recipe"},"content":{"rendered":"

This vegan spin on a classic bolognese<\/strong> combines protein-rich green lentils with toasted sunflower seeds and hearty mushrooms for a rich, \u201cmeaty\u201d (but meat-free) sauce. It\u2019s a soy-free vegan rag\u00fa that is simple, rich in umami and full of tasty, good-for-you nutrients. As with the original, this simple vegan bolognese sauce i<\/strong>s made onions, tomatoes, and spices to give it that classic bolognese comfort food flavour.<\/p>\n

A hearty bowl of spaghetti bolognese is the perfect thing too cozy up to on a weekend in. And with so many options on how to replace mince meat, it\u2019s easy to enjoy a classic Rag\u00fa alla bolognese as a vegan dish. Vegan doesn\u2019t by default mean that you need to rely on soy products as a meat replacement. There are so many other delicious options, such as lentils, mushrooms, nuts and seeds. And if you are already familiar with my roasted cauliflower and walnut bolognese sauce, you know how delicious a vegan rag\u00fa<\/strong> made with everyday ingredients, used in a creative way, can be!<\/p>\n

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What is bolognese<\/h2>\n

Bolognese is an Italian sauce, originating from the city of Bologna (hence the name), which typically is made with minced meat. The sauce is often served with a bowl of pasta or as a base for lasagna and is made by cooking the mince with onions, celery, and carrots (referred to as soffrito) and tomatoes to create a thick and rich sauce.<\/p>\n

How to make a vegan bolognese sauce<\/h2>\n

Similar to traditional bolognese, this recipe starts with a base of onions, garlic, carrot and celery. Since we want the flavours of the ingredients to meld with one another, they are blitzed in the a processor until finely chopped. Not only does this save time on chopping, but to also give the sauce a finer texture. Something you can expect when using store-bought sunflower mince<\/a> or soy granulates<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Once the vegetables soften, the mushrooms and garlic also get to join the party. The mushrooms are also finely chopped in the food processor and then cooked along with the tomatoes and spices until the flavours develop and meld together into a rich and tasty result.<\/p>\n

Finally, in the last minutes of cooking, the toasted sunflower \u201cmince\u201d and lentils are added and while the sauce finishes, the pasta can be boiled till perfectly al dente. All that\u2019s left is to serve it up, garnished with some fresh herbs.<\/p>\n

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Useful tips for this vegan rag\u00fa<\/h2>\n

Soak the lentils<\/h3>\n

In general, lentils are relatively easy to digest, thanks to their high fibre content. but if you have any sensitivities, then try soaking the lentils for a minimum of two hours and a maximum of 12 before cooking them. This aids in their digestion, enhances mineral absorption and also speeds up the cooking time. Otherwise, simply omit the lentils in this bolognese sauce recipe.<\/p>\n

Use different mushrooms<\/h3>\n

shiitake have a meaty texture, are rich in umami which adds a touch of complexity to this dish however if you don\u2019t have shiitake on hand or can\u2019t manage to find them, then you can trade them out for any other type of mushroom. Cremini mushrooms would be my second choice.<\/p>\n

Use sunflower seeds as mince<\/h3>\n

Sunflower seeds aren\u2019t just a great topper for salads or homemade bread rolls. It might sound bizarre, but they are the perfect mince replacement when processed into a coarse meal. They are easy-to-find, inexpensive, and rich in protein and vitamins<\/a> like vitamin E. You can also use them in vegan cream sauces by soaking them for 1-2 hours, then rinsing and draining them before blending with other ingredients. For a seed-free version of this vegan rag\u00fa, simply add more lentils.<\/p>\n

Use your favourite pasta<\/h3>\n

Bolognese isn\u2019t only reserved for spaghetti! You can use any pasta this vegan bolognese. My personal favourite is spelt pasta, as the subtle nutty flavour compliments the sauce incredibly well. Otherwise, feel free to use any pasta of choice, whether it be durum wheat, whole grain, gluten-free, or even grain-free pasta.<\/p>\n

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Looking for other vegan pasta recipes?<\/h2>\n

Try one of these favourites:<\/p>\n