Pasta With Vegetarian Bolognese Sauce

Recipe: Pasta With Vegetarian Bolognese Sauce

Pasta with Vegetarian Bolognese Sauce is a protein rich, delicious, comforting main meal dish. The sauce has the meaty texture without any meat, the umami from the mushrooms and did I mention it is wholesome? Inspired by the classic bolognese sauce, I sometimes replace the soya mince with lentils or mushrooms.

Why Vegetarian ‘Bolognese’ Sauce

All you vegetarian out there, have you ever noticed how limited your choice of a sauce with pasta gets when you go to a restaurant? When a non vegetarian orders spaghetti or any other pasta with a sauce, the sauce is rich not only with tomatoes and meat but also vegetables. So how difficult is it for the chef to make a simple tomato vegetable sauce or a white sauce with vegetables? Not too difficult but all you get served is a plain white sauce or a plain tomato sauce with the pasta. How boring. I love spaghetti and make my own ‘bolognese’ sauce at home sans the meat. I am not out to insult the fine italian chefs but just trying to make pasta more appetizing for the vegetarians or vegans.

What Is Bolognese Sauce?

Bolognese sauce  made originally in Bologna  is a meat and vegetable based tomato sauce. Minced meat from pork, beef is used along with finely chopped carrots,celery and tomatoes. Some add wine, pancetta, different vegetables, a mixture of herbs. The method varies from home to home.

My Version Of ‘Bolognese Sauce’

When I don’t have soya mince, I use whole lentils or more mushrooms. The ideal choice would be portobello or oyster mushrooms, but one can easily use white button or cremini ones. Addition of vegetables largely depends on what I have in the fridge. But my go to vegetables, are carrots, mushrooms and celery for the flavour. Sometimes I add eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, cauliflower. Onion and garlic add flavour. Use fresh, canned tomatoes or passata. I prefer using canned tomato puree or passata as it thicker than fresh pureed tomatoes. In the end, as such there is no fixed recipe.

Sharing This Recipe With Sunday Funday Group

The first time I made a veggie version of bolognese sauce back in may 2012, I had used mushrooms and fresh tomatoes. The sauce turned out much thinner. Over time added more vegetables. Today would like to share the tried and tasted version with this group. The theme suggested by Sue is Pasta.

 

Some Pasta Dishes On My Blog, Please Check Them Out

Checkout Pasta Dishes Prepared By Fellow Members Of Sunday Funday

• Sneha’s Recipe: Campanelle Pasta In Creamy Beetroot Pesto Sauce
• Palatable Pastime: Pasta with Pancetta 
• Culinary Cam: Handrolled Pasta alla Gricia
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Tuna Pasta Salad 
• Mayuri’s Jikoni: Pasta With Vegetarian Bolognese Sauce
• Cook with Renu: Vegan Summer Pasta Salad (Oil-Free, Cheese-Free)
• Amy’s Cooking Adventures: Homemade Gnocchi 

 

Ingredients Required For Pasta With Vegetarian Bolognese Sauce

Soya Mince

Soya Mince is an ideal source of protein for vegetarians. It is the made from the by-product (defatted soya flour) that is produced when extracting soya oil. The granules are soaked in water and then washed before using it in any dish. This is done so to remove that strong pungent smell. Also cooking period gets shortened when soaked soya mince is used. If you don’t have the mince then use soya chunks. After soaking it, squeeze out the water and process in a food processor to a coarse texture.

You can easily replace the soya mince with soaked lentils or mushrooms. The protein content will vary.

Carrot

Peel and chop finely or process in a food processor to a coarse texture with other vegetables.

Celery

1-2 medium stalks. Chop finely or process in a food processor to a coarse texture with other vegetables.

Mushrooms

Wipe the mushrooms with a damp cloth. Then chop finely or process in a food processor to a coarse texture with other vegetables.

Onion

Peel and chop finely. Can use red, white or yellow onion.

Garlic

Peel and chop finely or mince it.

Cauliflower

Separate the florets and wash them. After that chop finely or process in a food processor to a coarse texture with other vegetables.

Tomato Sauce |Puree

Use passata, canned tomato puree or fresh tomato puree. If you are using fresh tomato puree, I recommend that you cook it to a thick consistency before adding to the bolognese sauce.

Dried Herbs 

I have used basil and oregano. You can opt to use mixed herbs or fresh herbs.

Sugar

Add a little to balance the flavours.

Salt

Add according to your taste. I have used table salt.

Black Pepper

Freshly cracked black pepper adds so much flavour. Can use ready made pepper powder.

Olive Oil

As I want to make the sauce healthy, I tend to use less oil. Feel free to add a bit more.

Water or Stock

Add 1-2 cups, according to how thick or thin you want the sauce to be.

 

Pasta

Can use spaghetti, fettucine or linguine. Generally, dry pasta 56g (2oz) per person is a healthy guidance. To enjoy pasta when on a weight loss plan, 1 cup of cooked pasta is the recommendation. But beware of too much cheese, creamy sauces, or too much oil pasta.

Cheese

To serve with the pasta. Can use any cheese of your choice – mozzarella, cheddar , mixed or parmesan.