What are some substitutions for meat in bolognese?

There are a few great substitutions for meat in a traditional bolognese sauce: - Brown or green lentils (like this recipe) hold their shape and texture when cooked, and add plenty of protein - Seitan also acts like meat in many ways and works well here (see my vegan lasagna for more details) - Soy crumbles or a product like Beyond meat also works

How do I get my veggie bolognese to taste meatier?

There are two components to a meat lasagna that veggie lasagnas typically miss: texture and flavor. For a better texture, try making seitan or using beyond meat crumbles instead of lentils for the closest resemblance to ground meat. For a meatier flavor, try adding soy sauce to the sautéed veggies once the mushrooms have released juices.

Vegan Spaghetti Bolognese with Lentils

Name: Vegan Spaghetti Bolognese with Lentils
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 yellow or white onion; 1 package mushrooms; 2-3 cloves garlic; 1 Tbsp oregano; 1-2 sprigs fresh thyme (1/2 tsp dried); 1/2 cup red wine; 12 oz can of petite diced tomatoes; 12 oz can of tomato sauce; 1 cup green or brown lentils (not red); 1 tsp salt plus more for salting pasta water; 1 pound spaghetti or other pasta of choice; 1 tsp olive oil or other cooking oil; 1 Tbsp soy sauce; 2-3 grated carrots

Description

This vegan spaghetti bolognese comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like you spent all day on it.

Ingredients

Units Scale

1 yellow or white onion
1 package mushrooms
2-3 cloves garlic
1 Tbsp oregano
1-2 sprigs fresh thyme (1/2 tsp dried)
1/2 cup red wine
12 oz can of petite diced tomatoes
12 oz can of tomato sauce
1 cup green or brown lentils (not red)
1 tsp salt plus more for salting pasta water
1 pound spaghetti or other pasta of choice
1 tsp olive oil or other cooking oil

Optional:

1 Tbsp soy sauce
2-3 grated carrots

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Instructions

1. First, boil a pot of water for pasta with a generous pinch of salt. Cook pasta according to package instructions.

2. To prepare the bolognese, first dice onions and slice mushrooms. Meanwhile, heat a large flat-bottomed pan with some olive oil on medium heat. Add onions (and carrots if desired) to hot pan and saute for 3-5 minutes, until onions are soft and slightly translucent.

3. Next add mushrooms and a pinch of salt. Stir gently every couple of minutes until mushrooms release liquid and shrink to half their original size. Most of the liquid from the mushrooms should have evaporated. If you're using soy sauce, add it. Then add minced garlic, thyme, and oregano. Stir and cook for a minute until you can small the garlic.

4. Now add red wine to the hot pan. It should sizzle a little. Cook for another 4-5 minutes so the alcohol can cook off. Then add tomatoes, tomato sauce, and lentils bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover. Cook for 10 minutes.

5. After 10 minutes, remove the lid and stir. If too liquidy, let cook with lid off for another 5 minutes. Add pasta to sauce, then place onto plate! Top with vegan parm (or regular parm if desired) and enjoy!

Keywords: vegan bolognese, lentil bolognese, vegetarian bolognese, mushroom bolognese, plant based bolognese