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‘MEATY’ VEGAN BOLOGNESE SAUCE

Updated: Aug 22, 2021


There is actually NO meat in this “MEATY” VEGAN BOLOGNESE SAUCE. But, everyone will be fooled.

[Insert evil laugh here.]


There are a lot of vegan ground beef substitutes out there, and you can probably use those for this recipe. But, the nutritional goodness that this combination of mushrooms + tofu + walnuts + lentils brings is unquestionable and just plain amazing!


You can also use fresh tomatoes for the sauce or use good quality store bought diced tomatoes. Either way, it will come out amazing. Depends on how much prep time you have available. I had delicious locally grown roma tomatoes, so I peeled and diced those for my sauce.


The texture comes out quite similar to that of ground beef, and packs quite a lot of protein but without all that cholesterol and fat. Win! Use this sauce for your lasagnas, over pasta, for stuffing baked bell peppers, etc.

It is so good, you’ll want to use it on everything!


Let’s get cooking!!!




’MEATY’ VEGAN BOLOGNESE SAUCE


WHAT YOU'LL NEED:


  • 8oz block of extra firm tofu

  • 1 cup walnuts, finely chopped

  • 18oz mushrooms

  • 1 15oz can brown lentils, drained

  • 1 yellow onion, chopped

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1 Tbsp olive oil

  • 1 tsp dried basil

  • 1 tsp oregano

  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

  • 1 Tbsp tamari or soy sauce

  • 1/2 Cup tomato paste

  • 1 1/2 Cups crushed, peeled tomatoes

  • 1/2 Cup tomato sauce

  • 1 Tbsp coconut sugar

  • Salt and pepper to taste

  • Paprika (optional), for color


HOW TO MAKE IT:

  1. Mash the tofu with a fork and add to a mixing bowl.

  2. Place the walnuts in a food processor and process until finely chopped and then add to the mixing bowl with the tofu.

  3. Add the mushrooms to the food processor and process until finely chopped and add to the mixing bowl.

  4. Add the drained lentils to the mixing bowl.

  5. Mix the tofu, walnuts, mushrooms and lentils together until well combined.

  6. Add the chopped onion, garlic and olive oil to a frying pan and sauté until the onions are softened.

  7. Then add in your tofu/walnut/mushroom/lentil mix along with dried basil, oregano, cayenne pepper and soy sauce and stir fry for a couple of minutes letting the bolognese cook off some of the water, so it’s not too wet.

  8. Then add in the tomato paste, tomato sauce, and crushed tomatoes and keep cooking for a few minutes until you reach a good consistency.

  9. Stir in the coconut sugar and add salt and pepper to taste.

  10. At this point, you can add a bit of paprika if you want to add s bit more color to the sauce. Once all ingredients are well incorporate, serve.

  11. Enjoy!




Let me know if you make this! Tag me by using @mindfulgrub or the hashtag #mindfulgrub when you share your creations on social media. I‘d love to hear how it went for you!

All images & content on this blog are protected. Please do not use images or content without prior consent or permission. If you want to share or repost this blog post, please include a link back to this original post and provide proper credit.

This post may contain affiliate links, which may or may not mean that I received some kind of compensation for doing so. Sometimes I just share links and products that I love. Rest assured, I will never recommend anything that I don’t use or like myself.


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2 Comments


Celo de Mar
Jan 11, 2022

I made this sauce almost three months ago; but I tripled the recipe and froze 2/3 in 8 Mason jars.


I'm still using it every now and then, whenever I don't have much time to cook. I make it with zoodles, sauteed veggies, lasagna, or even mixed with jasmine rice. It's a quick, delicious, nutritional solution you should have always in your fridge. Just do it. You won't regret it.

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mindfulgrub
mindfulgrub
Jan 11, 2022
Replying to

Wow! Thanks so much for your comment, and I’m so glad you liked it! I should get on this prepping and storing bit… you’re definitely onto something!! ❤️

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