Introduction
Imagine this: it’s been one of those days where your brain’s clocked out early, and your stomach’s staging a full-on protest. You want something cozy, comforting, and maybe a little bit fancy — but without turning your kitchen into a disaster zone. Enter: Vegetable Bolognese. It’s like the classic pasta night had a glow-up and went full-on plant-powered superhero.
Rich, hearty, and sneaky-healthy, this sauce shows vegetables can totally steal the show without needing to shout about it. Plus, it’s so simple even your most suspicious carnivore friends might do a double-take.
Ready to make your taste buds do a happy dance? Let’s just say this isn’t your grandma’s Bolognese — unless she’s been hiding a secret veggie stash all along. Choosing plant-based meals also supports lower greenhouse gas emissions, making your dinner both delicious and environmentally friendly.
Ingredients
- 300g (uncooked weight) whole-wheat or brown rice spaghetti
- 1 tbsp olive oil (liquid gold!)
- 1 onion, peeled and chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped
- 2 sticks of celery, sliced
- 300g tin cut green beans in water, drained and chopped
- 400g tin chopped tomatoes (tomato power!)
- 2 tbsp tomato puree
- 125g mushrooms, chopped
- ¼–½ tsp cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper
- 10g fresh parsley, chopped
This veggie-packed lineup is basically a garden party on your plate, minus the fancy hats but plus all the flavor.
Whether you’re a vegan newbie or just trying to sneak more plants onto your fork, this recipe turns humble ingredients into a saucy masterpiece that even meat lovers might just fall for.
Get ready to twirl some guilt-free goodness!
For extra flavor and ease, consider using pantry staples that require minimal chopping and cooking time.
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get that kitchen smelling like a cozy Italian bistro, but with a veggie twist that even your carnivorous friends won’t suspect! Grab your 300 grams of whole-wheat or brown rice spaghetti—because we’re keeping it hearty and wholesome—and drop it into a big pot of boiling salted water. Give it a good stir so those noodles don’t stick together like old friends at a reunion.
While your pasta is doing its thing, heat up a tablespoon of olive oil in a saucepan and toss in that peeled and chopped onion. Cook it low and slow for about 3 to 5 minutes until it’s soft and translucent—think of it like the onions are just waking up and stretching, not getting a suntan.
Now, the fun part: pile in those finely chopped carrots, sliced celery sticks, and the chopped green beans from the 300-gram tin. It’s like a veggie party in your pan! Pour in the 400-gram tin of chopped tomatoes and stir in 2 tablespoons of tomato puree.
The mushrooms join the fiesta next, chopped up into bite-sized bits. Sprinkle in a cheeky ¼ to ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper to give it a little sizzle (don’t worry, it’s more of a gentle kick than a fire alarm). Season it generously with salt and pepper to taste—because bland is banned here.
Let everything simmer together for about 10 minutes, letting the flavors mingle and become best buds. Just before serving, stir in 10 grams of fresh chopped parsley for that pop of green freshness.
Consider adding crumbled tempeh sausage for a smoky, spicy, and protein-packed boost inspired by tempeh sausage recipes.
Drain your spaghetti when it’s perfectly al dente, toss it with your veggie-rich sauce, and boom—you’ve got yourself a bowl of vegetable Bolognese that’s not just good for the planet, but also your taste buds. Dig in!
Bonus Tips
- Swap those green beans for lentils if you want your bolognese to flex some serious protein muscle without breaking a sweat.
- Feeling spicy? Double the cayenne and watch your taste buds do the salsa—vegan style, of course.
- For a cheesy vibe without the dairy drama, sprinkle on some nutritional yeast and enjoy that umami magic.
Why You’ll Love It
This veggie-packed Bolognese is like a cozy hug in pasta form—packed with flavor that makes you forget it’s totally plant-powered. It’s the kind of dish that’s quick enough to whip up on a weeknight but fancy enough to impress your non-vegan pals (shhh, they don’t need to know).
Plus, it’s a total chameleon—tweak the veggies or spices and make it your own kitchen masterpiece. Basically, it’s your new go-to for when you want comfort food that’s kind to animals and your taste buds.
Nutritional Info
These are estimated values for one serving.
Calories: 280
Protein: 12 g
Carbohydrates: 35 g
Fat: 8 g
Nutrition estimates are provided for vibe-check purposes only — they aren’t legally binding promises of eternal health or six-pack abs.
