Made with all the same spices and San Marzano tomatoes, this vegan bolognese is hardly lacking in flavor.
I was thrilled to finally find a gluten free meat substitute to add a little variety to my cooking as far as vegetarian protein sources go. Beyond Meat (they don’t pay me) has a few tasty gluten free, vegan options to choose from. I bought the beef crumbles and was inspired to create a kind of traditional Italian Bolognese sauce that might even fool carnivores. The fennel gives it a bright and fresh sausage-y taste. This sauce came out so amazing I challenge you to try this out on anyone who eats meat and see if they can tell. It’s delicious on pasta or in baked lasagna, with or without the meat substitute. So good, vegan and gluten free!
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Vegan Pasta Bolognese
- Total Time: 72 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Hearty and flavorful, this vegan bolognese uses San Marzano tomatoes and Beyond Meat for a satisfying plant-based twist on a classic.
Ingredients
- 1 small onion (peeled and chopped)
- 3 large cloves garlic (peeled and minced)
- 2 cans San Marzano peeled tomatoes (roughly chopped)
- 2 tsp fennel seeds
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 1 pouch Beyond Meat Beef Crumbles
- 0.5 cups (118 ml) fresh basil leaves torn or chopped
- 2 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Sauté onions in olive oil in a large saucepan for 5-6 minutes over medium heat until translucent but not browned.
- Add the garlic and beef crumbles and sauté until crumbles are lightly browned and garlic is fragrant, about 7 minutes.
- Add tomatoes, fennel, basil, salt, and pepper and stir well.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer sauce for 45 minutes to an hour.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, toast the fennel seeds in a dry pan for 1-2 minutes before adding them to the sauce.
- If you don’t have Beyond Meat, substitute with another plant-based ground meat or finely chopped mushrooms.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 62 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 8
- Protein: 20
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different meat substitute instead of Beyond Meat for the Vegan Pasta Bolognese?
Yes, you can substitute other gluten-free vegan meat alternatives like lentils, tempeh, or any other brand of plant-based crumbles that you prefer. 
How can I enhance the flavor of the Vegan Pasta Bolognese if I find it too mild?
You can add more spices such as oregano or red pepper flakes, or incorporate ingredients like garlic and shallots to deepen the flavor profile.
What type of pasta pairs best with this Vegan Pasta Bolognese?
Traditional spaghetti or gluten-free pasta options work well, but you can also try it with penne or even zucchini noodles for a low-carb alternative.
